Date: 2008-05-10
From: Flint mtn. shelter

To: Bald mtn. shelter
Miles today: 19.0

woke up refreshed.ok, quick journal....devil fork gap was a great TRAIL MAGIKboy scout troop 237 with leader Larry gave us some tacos, hot buttered biscuits, and southern sweet tea!!! THANKS AND MANY MORE!!!In the woods I caught a glimpse of old cabin homes that had fallen...Climbing up the knob I came across a cookie cutter family with nice clothes and a fragrant smell and the wife offered up some kind words of encouragement:"have a nice walk""walk", I thought, "ho ho if you only knew"the climb lasted forever and Britt you would've loved it To finally finish this journal...6 days laterI breaked at Hogback Ridge shelter (4,255ft)@ 11.8 mi in and had some jerky, crackers,Kit Kat, and did my usual "sign the hiker register".These are at every shelter and it provides a way to see who's ahead of you and who might be behind you so you can catch up with old friends, read their experiences, or leave messages back for others.The next section was Bright green foliage, great terrain, and I finally got a pic of a blue butterfly! Its hard to capture the butterflies and birds with my camera. The zoom isn't that great so I have to approach anything I want a real good clear pic of, and they always fly away.Sam's Gap was the next stop for more food..it goes under I-26 on the TN/NC border. Said goodbye to Mas for awhile and probably won't see him again til trail days. Headed back to the hills for Big Bald the last stop of the day.On the way, I ran into trail magik #2... someone had left coffee, carrots, cookies, and H20. I sampled each and basked in the glory of a possible triple crown trail magic magic like that doesn't really come in pairs, much less trips but I still clinged to the idea.Met a southbounder: Andre the Giant. Got some good bear stories and chatted awhile. Much blessings to whoever left the goods on the trail: always hits the spot.Climbed up the mtn. side, to set myself free apparently an old sign marked the way and "Kid Rock was here" was etched into the white blaze. My perception of him definitely has changed if he did in fact climb that beast. I twisted, twirled, and trucked thru the rocky terrain with a fierce tenacity to crest the BIG bald at the speed of light. I moved so quick that I actually began hovering over the rocks, stumps, and roots... Sweat was beading up and pouring down my face and body, much like M.J. in a 4th quarter showdown with his above par performance of a double nickel. I pushed harder, almost racing to the top, and felt at home with knowing the rush of adrenaline that was soon to overwhelm me. The white blazes marked the well trodden path and I saw enormous mansions across the ridges sitting ever-so-delicately on the mtn. side. The typical breezy bald winds propelled my aching body forward to the 360deg panoramics of the bald. The rush took over, I ran to the summit benchmark (where I now sit writing this)and let out a native american war hoot. The hoots and hollers of joy were blanketed by the wind. The Big Bald is reminiscant of Max Patch's little brother. Basically a smaller version with the same great eye candy. I could already see Erwin to the north. I'm sittin' on top of the world, well, feel that way. Actually the gnats are in my eyes and the benchmark up my ass, so time for a snack, some pics, and the last mile to the shelter. So now I throw down the granite that I write this on and think of you: Everyone. I love you all! p.s. you can drive up here to the summit if you work for the forest service apparently. the hike down 400ft to the shelter was very woodland critter x-mas or secret garden. Tonite I stay at one of the highest altitude shelters on the AT (5100ft)Great dinner and company here tonite: Fedex, Blazing star, Jogle, Vegas, Castaway, Kick it. see you tomorrow!