Date: 2016-04-19
From: Uncle Johnny's Zero

To: Red Fork Rd
Miles today: 12.7

O-28With the exception of a short unpleasant discussion, today was almost totally delightful. my evening routine consists of writing my journal entries and checking map for next days hike. If I have Internet connection And good battery power, I'll check email and other internet sites. Hardcore was missing some of the waypoints for a map he is maintaining of my hiking progress. So I figured out which waypoints he needed and retransmitted them via the MotionX iPhone app. This sends the waypoints automatically to Facebook and 6 email id's   I put a note on FB for readers to disregard these retrans. Not known to most, I also have a code for my email responders that will indicate when things aren't going so well and when to call out the SAR team. I immediately got a call from one of my email addressees who thought this might be my SOS signal.   Thankfully, I was able to respond that all was wellI slept pretty well last night and had planned a rather leisurely morning. I needed to make a couple of business calls after 1000 EDT and checkout time wasn't until 1100. At the grocery store run yesterday, I bought some sausage,cheese, egg griddle cakes and a jar of instant coffee. One of my calls was to get, Dr Lori to discuss Berk's situation. She reported that I was doing everything correctly, but if I wanted to be absolutely sure about her heating situation then I would need to start taking her temperature. I don't have a thermometer so we agreed on using the tongue-o-meter. If Berk's tongue is resting on her teeth, hike on; if tongue is sticking out 1", rest, water and monitor closely; and if tongue is sticking out 3", siesta time. We also discussed dogs are lying down over 3/4 of time and Berk probably hasn't truly bought into the fact that we're going to be hiking 8-10 hrs a dayI checked out at about 1030 and had a nice discussion with Uncle Johnny. I told him how disappointed I was with him in that I made a reservation with him, he insisted that I secure my reservation with a credit card and then he allows a person to stay over past their stay. He is then unable to honor my reservation or offer comparable lodging. I did "accept" his offer of free camping in the back yard, but told him that had I known a couple of dozen hikers would be having a loud, late night party adjacent to my tent, I would have gone on the trail and camped at the river. I then told hi that had a person been ill or injured, I would have gladly given them my room. However, since that person stated she was glad to stay over and not the least bit sorry about the consequences really upset me. And I informed Uncle Johnny I held him personally responsible for allowing this happen. He offered to refund my payment if that would make me happy. I told him I wasn't interested in the money and want to help businesses that support hikers, praise them when they do well and critique them when they perform poorly. I concluded by calling him a dishonorable man and that point stuck on him. I was glad to leave then. Then hike was very pleasant today and I didn't whine a bit about the 2700' climb. I made the 1st shelter shortly after noon. It's great to have a functioning water filter now and even better to have Guthook's trail map app. Rick, now Sage, Lassie and jacks passed me by. I was taking it very easy with Berk today. I came to Beauty Spot Gap and took a couple of pix. Just a bit up the trail was a water source and good campsite. Lassie was already set up for the evening. Swamp Turtle was a SOBO completing a thru hike and Willow stopped for water. I filled my water containers and decided to have supper and then planned to hike to dark or next campsite. I was getting ready to leave when Night Shift, former thru hiker, drove up with a box of Bojangles Chicken and biscuits and a jug of ice tea. I took a piece of chicken and 1'biscuit and left the rest for Lassie and any others that might show up. I then got back on the trail. But I was heavy and it was getting close to sundown. We came up on an open meadow and I decided to make camp at the end. Tents up, bear bags up and Berk is already downLife is Good