Date: 2009-05-09
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: broken clouds

Well, today was interesting, a real relaxation from the usual miles. Igot to sleep in today until 8:30 and didn't get to the trail until 9:30,I didn't want to get to the gap until the trail magic got there. I washiking along and came up to the road where I saw lawn chairs, a tentlike shelter, and lots of boy scouts running around. The magic wasreal. Bon Bon, Hightech, and Mallard were already there. It took a fewminutes for them to set up and start, but we had endless amounts of softshell tacos and kool aid. I only had 4, and a half gallon of kool aid.Today was a big day for Bon Bon.She has been a vegetarian for the past 10 years and has yet to breakdown into the dark side. She's been considering eating tuna for about aweek, seafood was the last thing she gave up back in the day. It took alittle convincing from us but once someone put it in front of her shewas all over it. She put a whole packet of tuna on the tortilla, andstacked salsa, lettuce and cheese all over the top, and we declared it"the hidden sin". It was great, our entertainment for the day, it waslike turning an atheist into a believer. What did she say? "Oh my God,it is so good". Her body was dying for protein.I stayed at the trail magic for 2 hours, Troop 237 from Tennessee tookgood care of us. It was lucky, too, they don't do this every weekend,only one day a year! It was nice to just hang out with all the hikerswho came up behind me. Most everyone who was at the magic is heretonight, a crowded 7 people in a 6 person shelter, plus 4 tents. Itincludes Recom and Moonlight, RLB, Bon Bon, Tully, Ninja, Coldfeet andCheckpoint Charlie, and Strider (a different Strider than the last one),plus others.I got a little down on myself for taking such a short day, but I think Ineed to give myself a break. Trail magic only comes once in a greatwhile and I took advantage. I am also planning my first 20 mile day tobe tomorrow, and there will be lots of other opportunities to make upthe miles. The big day will put me 6 miles outside of Erwin, TN where Iwill take a nero day to resupply and dry out. Today was another bout ofthunderstorms and everything I own is soaked again. I have a rain coverfor my pack but I need a better one, and nothing can stop the soak whenit's pouring. On the other hand my gaiters are helping a lot withgetting all the crap and mud out of my socks and shoes.Hiking in wet socks and wet boots brings a new challenge to keeping thefeet healthy. I took my boots off today and my feet were pruned likethey'd been in the bath too long. Such weak and sensitive skin blistersand tears easily, it's really hard. Oh well, Erwin on Monday.Kick: Ipod died 2 days before a town stop, another day of muddy, sloppytrails, and Frozen Knob was brutal on a full stomach of burritos.Kiss: Wonderful trail magic, a lazy day at both shelters, a cool groupof hikers to be around. Oh, and when I got to the top of Frozen Knob, Iwas cold, wet, tired, and extra cold. That's when I pulled out theMaker's Mark bottle and took a shot. Mmm, instant warmth, my firstbooze on the trail.Happy Trails,Transition