Date: 2006-04-27
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 52   Thursday   Today is moving day for my Mom, so I'm walking for her and my sister, Mary Dew. Hope they have a smooth day; I know they'll be tired tonight.   Left the Shelter at 7:45AM under moist clouds but so far no rain or wind. I am now at Bailey Gap Shelter, about 4 miles away. Piece of Work and I chose to take the road detour to avoid fording a big creek because of a bridge washout. Hurricane Jeanne washed it out in 2004. After lookiing at the wash-out site and the width and depth of the creek from the road side, I conclude we made the right decision. Also, there was trail magic about 50 yards into the woods when we left the road-soft drinks, Little Debbies, fruit, and a garbage sack. I'm sweating (a steady uphill from road to here, so I'm going to take off some clothes and plow on). Snake and Thumper were pulling out of the Shelter when we arrived. They were complaining that they sent their cold weather gear home-glad I kept most of mine, especially the sleeping bag.   WEATHER REPORT: It didn't rain today. By mid-morning the clouds thinned enough to let some sunlight in, and by early afternoon I had blue skies. It is still cool; will probably be around 40*F tonight.                              NATURE NEWS: Saw several pink blooming shrubs/trees at about 2500 feet. I think they might be deciduous azaleas. The blossoms looked like a cluster of honeysuckle blooms.                                                      HIKING REPORT: Did 18.5 miles today and plan to do my first 20+ miles day tomorrow. In the past 13 days I've come 200.1 miles from Damascus. Today was similar to recent days, except there was one long uphill that took about 1.5 hours. I still have long segments on pretty level grade, but much of that is on rocky ridges, which slow you down a lot, trying to pick your steps.   MEDICAL REPORT: Blisters and muscles and stamina can be improved over time on the Trail, BUT feet, ankles, and knees can still be injured or made sore by continuous walking. My right ankle seems to get a slight sprain every day or so, which means it never fully recovers. Knees get sore on the downhills, but at least they feel okay the next day.                                       GEAR REPORT: Backband doing great. I noticed a grommet coming apart at the top of one shoulder strap. Will have to get that fixed quickly. I have tried to straighten it up with some tapping, which might work for awhile.            FOOD REPORT: I haven't written much about food. Breakfast started out as a "cooked meal", but after awhile you realize that takes too much time when you want to get going. So, now I either eat the oatmeal cold-last night I put hot water in the oatmeal pouch and sealed it up. The dehydrated peaches were softened up, and the oatmeal wasn't any worse than if I had just poured cold water on it this morning. Lunch is usually a number of short snacks-candy,gorp, granola or power bars, or meat/cheese sticks packaged together. Dinner is the main meal and almost always cooked. I'm tired of writing and ready for bed, so I'll try to describe a typical dinner the next time I have a chance.