Date: 2008-05-06
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Campsite between High Rocks & Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

You know how I am always saying "You never know when you wake up in the morning what the day is going to bring"? Well today was no exception.For some unusual reason, I got a much later start than I normally do. I would soon find out that this was no coincidence, forces greater than me were at play here. Atleast, that's how I see it.On a different note, I haven't mentioned the privy's before. For those of you who are new to this, a "privy" is an outhouse in a rustic setting. Although, they may vary in style, they all pretty much smell the same.However, the one located here at this shelter goes way beyond that.Never have I seen, hmmm how can I put this? Shit piled so high!This privy was so full that it had at best, 1 or 2 more visits, tops.If it weren't for the seat being already down, it would have started to over flow. This was my first indication of just how "crappy" part of this day was going to be. After hiking only a couple of miles, I arrived at Sam's Gap. I crossed under a hiway overpass. (I-26 & U.S.23)then decided to stop at this small parking area and have a snack. Stopping so soon was also unusual for me. I decided to pull out my MP3 as well? But in the next few moments I would understand why?Soon I noticed Springloaded heading toward me, limping and having a worried look on his face. I knew this wasn't good, Springloaded is made of tough stuff and it would take a lot for him to be like this.As we met, he said "I don't know Sarge, I think I'm off the trail"?I was stunned at first, this can't be happening, What is going on?He explained the immense pain he was having in his knee. So much, that he had wrestled with reason until he made the decision, to have it thoroughly diagnosed. The Okies, Topshelf and now Springloaded. Damn!I gave him my vitamin I (Ibuprofen) and a knee brace. I just kept shaking my head in disbelief. We started to discuss how and where, he would go from here?While this was happening, our friend "Strolnikof" came walking up.As it turned out, he was only sectioning. Before heading back to Austin Texas he was going to spend some time at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I just started getting to know him too.But this being the AT, sometimes a trail of tears, it is also a trail of magic. Strolnikof had arranged and was waiting for a ride to Boone. I guess it was about 2+ hours from here? Springloaded was able to catch a ride with him and could then meet up with his Grandmother who lived another 2 hours from there.Finally, The 3 section hikers from Nashville that I had previously met, Daktari with Sam & Brad Whitson were finishing here as well. They were waiting for their ride. We were able to shake hands, take pictures and say good bye.Strolnikof, offered me the remainder of his food & snacks. He wouldn't be needing them anymore. I took pictures of them both, we shook hands and Springloaded and I gave each other a big hug. It seems like we have been friends forever, yet now at barely 300 miles, our paths are taking us in different directions.This was tough, with nothing more to say or do, I turned and walked away.It wasn't until I was up on a hill that I looked back down, waving goodbye one final time. I thought to myself, Until my friends, until?... Had I hit the trail at the same time I usually do, and didn't decide to stop, so soon after getting started, we would have missed each other. A minute either way, and the window of opportunity would have been missed for good. I will always be grateful that we could speak for one last time and to actually say goodbye. After my best friend that I grew up with, died in 1988, I had listed 76 names of friends, people I had served in the Army with, and had worked with that had died by either accident, murder or suicide. That was already too many, and those were the ones I knew about? Some were very close, we never had a chance to say goodbye. Then there were the many times when my children were young that I had to leave for long periods of time. This is not something I do well. Living or not, too many times I have had to settle for looking up at the sky to say goodbye to someone. Some I would never see again. I am fortunate that in these past few days, I have been able to atleast share parting words with those who have been close. Tightening up my hip belt, I turned and started heading north. Ahh the AT, In all it's magnificence and magic. There is no emotion that will be left unattended. There is nothing about yourself that will be ignored or unexplored, no matter how long it has been buried or how hard you have tried to forget? If you let it happen, just being out here, you will begin to heal.Like the metaphore, "good things are instore around the next bend"? Later, after a few bends, a hot day and a long stretch with no water sources,There sitting on the trail out of nowhere, was a cooler with plenty of water and homemade cupcakes. See what I mean? You just never know? Sometimes it is just the simplest of things or that unexpected gesture thatcan raise your spirit or make all the difference in the world.Thanks Trail Angel!I eventually caught up to Sprite & Freckles and shared the news about Joe-Springloaded. It was a sobering moment. We kept going until we reached Big Bald and stopped there for lunch. The views were soothing & peaceful. Powder River showed up a little later. He gave us a can of beer he had previously received from a trail angel. We accepted it of course, divided it and raised our cups up to toast in honor of Springloaded. And knowing he would appreciate this, I pulled out the snickers bar he had given me just before saying goodbye.Dividing into thirds, we ate this in tribute to him as well.This was a fitting place to share good memories. The 360 degree view made everything alright again in the way that only the AT can do.Climbing 3 more mountains before the day was through and having nearly 16 more miles behind us, we found a tenting area to pitch for the night.I found water and was actually able to wash up. Unless you happen upon a creek or small waterfall, usually a water source is nothing more than a trickle from a spring.The destination for tomorrow is Erwin Tenn. This will be the last resupply until we reach Damascus. Wow, it once seemed so far away? I can feel the excitement building inside.