Date: 2008-10-14
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Double trail magic!!!The past few days have been rough. My body is tapped and my mind has been challenged like never before on the trail. Getting in to a rut mentally is more dangerous than anything. It has been proven to me that hiking mountains every day is more mind than body. Trying to push myself physically while feeling emotionally defeated has proven to be one of my greatest challenges. These weren't the hardest parts of the trail by any means... but I have felt the weight of the world on my shoulders because my spirits were broken. One bad day and things spiraled out of control.Good things continue to happen though! Today I hiked 18 miles. I was a bit grumpy and working hard to get out of my slump. I was at Little Laurel Shelter (13 miles in to the hike) eating my last package of peanut butter crackers. I had misjudged how much food I would need when I resupplied and had to ration all day. I had also run out of water and was hoping that Little Laurel would have a nice water source to fill up on. Little Laurels water source was horrible. I had to hike the last 5 miles with no food and no water. Cubby met me at the shelter and we hung out for a bit. His company made me feel better and we began to walk together. Approximately 2 miles in to the home stretch Spoon, Mango, Grettle and Check came running up behind us. They had no packs on and were rushing to finish the hike. Cubby and I were still carrying full packs and were confused as to what was going on. Come to find out that the rest of the crew had run in to some local people that were day hiking and were invited to go back to their house after the hike. The people also offered to take their packs for them to make their hike easier. We missed out on the slack pack but were included in the invite back to their house. Evidently there was mention of banana split Sundays at the house and that is why they were running to finish. My thirst and hunger went away and Cubby and I picked up our pace.When we got to Allen Gap the others had been instructed to take a right at the Welcome to North Carolina sign. We arrived at another amazing cabin style home. This one was brand new and done in a contemporary design. I unfortunately don't remember any of the peoples names. The whole thing happened so fast and introductions were informal and quick. Two older couples hosted us to banana split Sundays, brownie Sundays, pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, root beer floats, potato salad, bean salad, cole slaw, Dorito's and tea. They just kept bringing more and more food. I felt a bit uncomfortable the whole time because I wasn't in on the original conversation that was had in the mountains that got us there. The people were super nice and explained that they literally bought the property so that they could serve thru hikers. It is their passion to give and thru hikers always showed appreciation. The food was soooo good and really hit the spot. While eating I was thinking about how one hour earlier I was savoring the crumbs of my crackers and didn't have water to wash them down with.One of the couples owned the cabin. They had thru hiked the AT in the late 90's and told stories about how it changed their lives. The other couple had also hiked the AT in the 90's and they decided to go sailing after the trail... they ended up sailing around the world for 10 YEARS! WOW! that is awesome. We talked for a while and the subject of Jesus came up. Some books were offered for us to take for free. The books were all on Christianity and Jesus. Grettle diverted the conversation back to the AT because there was some awkwardness amongst the group.Spoon had contacted Mike Saul earlier and told him about us getting invited to this home. Mike came to the front door to pick us up right when the conversation went to religion. We thanked our hosts wholeheartedly and went on our way. I appreciated that they offered the free literature and respected that they wanted to turn us on to Christianity. They were respectful in their approach and respectful in our reception.When we got back to the Saul's house we were served a smoked (literally cooked in a smoker on the porch) turkey breast, sweet potato casserole and fruit salad. I ate an entire second meal within 2 hours of the last. My stomach looks that of a woman in late moths of pregnancy.Tomorrow is a short hike in to Hot Springs North Carolina. We will be staying at The Sunnybank Inn. The Sunnybank Inn (aka Elmers) is an old Victorian style home. We have heard great things about the accommodations and great things about Elmers fine vegetarian cooking. I'm looking forward to the short day, my body needs a break. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"