Date: 2019-03-17
From: Daleville route 220

To: Lambert's Meadow shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Wow! I slept very well last night and I really needed it. After filling up with a steak dinner and a huge helping of steamed fresh broccoli and cauliflower, and flan for dessert at Pancho's restaurant I retired to my room and organized my bag with only what I need for the one shelter hop. Then I talked to River about the plan and texted with WE who's back on trail down in the Franklin NC area today. Go ladies! I called Brian to say goodnight and took a dose of zzzquil at 9pm and it was lights out shortly after. I woke up at 3 and went back to sleep until 6:45. I'd like to do that every night!I was getting dressed and feeling good looking forward to my 9.4 miles today with a lighter pack and how much more enjoyable it would be. I unpacked and repacked my bag making sure I had everything I need with me and took another look at the AT shelter weather for Lambert's Meadow. 32° tonight with winds 3-6mph. Feeling satisfied with both I went to the lobby to eat breakfast and leave a room key for River. At 8:15 I started walking. In the first half mile I came across a trail runner and his standard poodle who seemed to be playing catch me if you can with his master. He passed me from behind and we said good morning. A little while later and more than a mile into the day I stopped on a log and adjusted my boot laces. I'm guessing here is where I got turned around. Yes, that's right I hiked in the wrong direction. I didn't realize it until I stopped to look at a sign that was facing away from me. It said Dragon's tooth was 9.8 miles behind me and I concluded immediately it must be wrong, until I looked at Guthooks and saw I was .7 miles from the hotel I left an hour and a half ago. I sighed and turned around and dragged myself up the hill I'd just hiked down. Oh well. The rest of the morning was awesome. The sky was blue and the breeze mild. I saw 2 other people with dogs including a man with a golden retriever named Nicco who was very well trained and the man with the poodle who stopped to talk with me. I was embarrassed about my confusion and I'm glad it's the first time and I hope the last. I've met a hiker named wrong way and I totally understand now. The man with Nicco told me he thinks these 20 miles are the best. So far I'd agree. I enjoyed the views from the power lines and the rock outcrops as well as the ridge walk where I could see the water on my left and towns on my right. I took my time, finally. Not caring how many miles I hike an hour or how many times I stop and just stand still and look around. Where the gas line goes through I found a rock to sit on and took my boots off to let my feet get air. I was just 4 miles from the shelter at noon. I'd rather enjoy each spot I feel like along the trail than to sit at a shelter trying to convince myself not to hike to the next one. At 1:30 I stopped at the cliffs to have lunch and enjoy the view. Brian and I had a little Marco Polo video fun and then I sat quietly watching the crows float by on the thermals and looking at the homes and cars below. The pastures and forests. Just peaceful all of it was from up there. I met Pop tart and Pacemaker at an overlook and they warned me about a skunk ahead but I didn't see him. A mile and a half later I arrived at Lambert's Meadow shelter. I was alone and I enjoyed the time soaking my feet in the creek, watching the nuthatch on the nearby tree and the black eyed juncos picking thru the leaves. I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and was soaking my black beans and rice dinner which I wasn't looking forward to. I saved it for last and now I had no choice. I was lamenting over it when Chief and Wonderhuven arrived for the night. We ate dinner together and talked. Chief lives in Knoxville TN and might be home when I hike through the Smokey's and if so he'd like to provide some trail magic. He and his wife own a bakery call Nothing Bunt Cakes. After dinner Wrong Way arrived. How ironic! So we're 4 deep in the shelter tonight and it's going to be cold. I feel better not being alone after the wind storm I went thru the other night. I took 2 zzzquil and laid down at 7:15 hoping for the best. I'm really looking forward to Tinker Cliffs and McAfee knob tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be gorgeous again. There's trash in the bear box that some other hikers left. I'm hiking 10 tomorrow so I will pack it out with me.