Date: 2015-04-28
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 25.1

Today was amazing. What a beautiful stretch of trail! The day was long but the miles were diverse and amazing. The trail continues to beautifully come to life.It was frosty and icy this morning. I apologized to Sam I Am, who strung up his hammock on the first level of the shelter, for making a ruckus packing up early, though he made no complaints. He did have some words to say about the snorers, though."Did you get any sleep at all last night?" he asked, and I answered, "I'm used to it by now."I passed Sublime fairly early and was glad to know that he hadn't frozen to death.My hiker hunger cursed me early. I took my gloves off to eat a snack as I walked, and ended up dropping one. I backtracked to look for it but was unsuccessful. I ate another snack to console myself and wore my pajama socks on my hands for the next few hours.I stopped at the first shelter, which was luckily deserted, to shed layers and put on my shorts. I forgot to change out of my pajama underpants, though, and had to endure uncomfortable chafing of my lady parts until I reached a part of the trail where I could hide and swap out the evil pair. It took a while, as the trail was exposed for most of the morning, running through grassy fields. I could have risked it, changing super quickly, but I didn't feel like sticking my bare butt out onto the trail. You never know who might be just coming around the corner.I nearly froze my toes off as I climbed Roan Mountain, chilled by the morning wimd, but the views were amazing. The sun was out and the sky was clear. I huffed and puffed my way to the summit at slug pace. There were a couple of guys camped at the top. Their dog tried to bite one of my socked hands.About a quarter mile later, I rewarded my feet for taking me up the mountain and swapped out my 10s for my camp shoes. I have been experimenting with lacing my shoes differently (thanks, Linda!) and with two pairs of socks my 10s are more tolerable. My toes are freer in my camp shoes, though. I was much more nimble in the camp shoes, which was good because the descent required a lot of rock-hopping. Dan said he was able to find the same shoes online so I might get another pair. I think they will wear out quickly but they seem much better for my feet.I passed by 3 men section hiking, who I keep seeing. They called me "Longfellow" and "the poet" and asked if I have written any more poems, but I told them that no more inspiration has struck.I met Papa Al at a road crossing, where his wife (visiting from Wisconsin) was waiting to pick him up from his slackpacking. They gifted me with celery, muffins, a tangerine, a hardboiled egg (real food!) and some granola bars. I was extremely grateful. My snack supply is always running low.The last miles crawled by since I was so tired, but they were gorgeous. One part reminded me of White Memorial, which made me miss Emmy and Faye. I passed a cemetery and refilled my water bottles and washed my face at a spigot outside of a nearby church (thank you, Buck Mountain baptists!).Sometime near 3 o'clock I passed the 400 mile mark! It is hard to believe. The miles keep flying by. I ate my tangerine to celebrate.Cheswick (annoying shakedown guy) was at this shelter when I arrived. He made a comment about reading my poem to the others here, poking fun. I was glad to find that he had left by the time I returned from my trip to the stream.There are only six people at this shelter, which is a fairly new and really nice one. It has multiple levels, including a small third story under the peak of the roof. It seems so quiet compared to Stover Creek Shelter, where Alexa and I stayed for my first night on the trail. I don't know if it is a sign that a lot of people have given up on the hike or not. I am curious to know how many of those who started at Springer have given up and gone home - and how many went home by choice or because of emergency or injury. I am glad that I am not one of them.Tonight's company includes Drop Bear from Australia (apparently there is some kind of urban legend about bears that drop out of trees to attack you?!), Beer Man, Mr. Don (whose progress is being tracked by a third grade class), Fig (this is his fourth or fifth thru-hike, and I think he started the same day I did), and Frozen Mac.Topics of conversation have ranged from trail names to hometowns to the whereabouts of other hikers ("Did you see Jester?" "When did you last see Ru?" "Sam I Am was at the last shelter last night, with his hammock." "Wait, Sam I Am is a girl?" "There are two Sam I Ams") to plants (the little white flowers I love are Spring Beauty) to wildlife sightings. Mac saw a deer she thinks was rabid during the day. I find this very sad. I am glad she escaped the encounter safely.The topic of pink blazing also came up - the term for guys hiking in pursuit of girls. Fig joked about Frozen Mac (who I just call Mac for short) and I hiking quickly to speed past boys. I unabashedly admitted to putting on extra miles to avoid a couple of potential suitors. Frozen Mac stated that at one time my namd had come up in connection with pink blazing - Hands being the pursuer. I nodded and confirmed this was true. I hadn't been trying to outrun him, though. I actually really enjoyed his company. I just wanted to hike faster.I enjoyed some black bean pasta for dinner, a birthday gift from Trail Mentor Alexa. I also enjoyed about 600 dessert snacks.It is supposed to rain tomorrow. I hope to make it to the hostel at Dennis Cove early to shower and do laundry. I also have a mail drop waiting, which I believe contains HOMEMADE COOKIES from Aunt Pat. I am extremely excited.My feet feel better than they used to. My rash seems to be worse so I am taking more Benadryl.I am thankful for a fat full tummy and the opportunity to meet new people tonight. I am also thankful for my elephant legs (those paternal genetics!), which have carried me so many miles.