Date: 2005-04-26
From: Dennis Cove Road (Kincora Hostel)

To: Watuaga Lake Sheltler
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 46This morning I decided to slackpack from US Route 321 back to Kincora Hostel, just as Rocky had done yesterday. I plan on spending a second night at Kincora. Pat People¢s, Bob¢s wife, shuttled Rocky and I to US Route 321 this morning. From there, Rocky is going to head north to continue her hike. I am going to head south, back to the hostel. I gave Rocky a good bye hug as my ¢Trail Sister¢, and wished her well. Perhaps we will meet again. During my southbound slackpack of 8.9 miles I encountered Jake and Cola heading north. The Trail took me over a high ridge, Pond Flats, and down into the Laurel Fork gorge. Along the way I encountered Doc Narly heading north. He was slumped over a rock coughing his brains out. I asked if he needed help, but he said he was alright. He looked awful, like he was sick. He is a smoker and that could be the cause of his discomfort.At beautiful Laurel Falls, I had lunch and talked to a couple from New York. They were southbound sections hikers. They section hike every year on the Trail. Their problem, they told me, is that about the time they get their trail legs it¢s time to go home. I also crossed paths with Mr. Clean. He was on his way to a 21 mile day to the Watuaga Lake Shelter. He went to the doctor yesterday, and seems to have made a quick recovery from his shin problem. As I was climbing out the Laurel Fork gorge, I caught up with a group of eight people. They were obviously not hikers, judging from the way they walked and the way they were dressed. As I made my way past them, I noticed they were speaking a foreign language that sounded familiar. So I asked in my best Italian, ¢Lei Italian?¢ (Are you Italian?) And I introduced myself, ¢Io Vincenzo Ricardo Mariani¢. (I am Vincent Richard Mariani.) It turned out they were a group of Italian tourists, out for the day with Italian speaking friends from Tennessee. It was fun chatting with them about Italy and then I went on ahead. My Italian is not that good enough to carry on a long conversation.   Before too long I was back at Kincora. It was only early afternoon, but I cooked myself a dinner, mostly with items left in the Kincora kitchen. Later Chef Boyardee and Lojack came into the hostel. They needed a ride into Hampton, Tennessee, to resupply. I couldn¢t imagine why, after the size of the mail drop they received at Mountain Harbour only a few days ago. I decided I would go with them and get out at US Route 321 and continue northward. It was still early in the day, and I could at least make it to Watuaga Lake Shelter. Mrs. People¢s dropped me off at US Route 321 for the second time today and took Chef Boyardee and Lojack into Hampton. On the way to Watuaga Lake Shelter, I encountered Skylark and Nu-B walking toward me. They had left their gear at the shelter and were headed back towards Hampton to get a hot dog. I told them I would look after their gear when I got to the shelter. It was still fairly early when I arrived at the shelter. Later Mr. Clean came into the shelter after his long day of hiking. Eventually Skylark and Nu-B came back and the four of us spent the night at the shelter. It has been a cloudy but dry day and I am feeling good. In two days, I have walked 24.3 miles with no pain in my right shin. I guess I am cured.