Date: 2003-08-27
From: Safford Notch Campsite (2240') 

To: West Cary Pond Lean-to (1340') 
Miles today: 12.2

Aloha! Ahhh... rain. What a way to start off a day; with wet and slick rocks. Grrrrr....The rain hit about 10:00p last night. Just about the time I had snuggled down and fallen asleep. I don't mind the rain so much as the getting out of my tent and setting up the awning over the door. That's always the time when the cold rain is going to run down my back. The fact that I basically sleep nude may play a part. Ya think? Originally I was feeling sorry for Coffee but it turns out he was snug as a bug beneath his rock overhang with the water running off it perfectly outside his required area. He probably had the best sleep.As for the hike, care to guess how we started? You got it - UP! We headed UP and over Little Bigelow Mountain (3025'). As with yesterday, we were rewarded for our efforts with beautiful views looking back over yesterday's hike. It was impressive to all of us to see what we had actually climbed. Sometimes it's not until you take your eyes off the journey north and look southward do you really see where you're going. Kind of weird I know but definitely true.The terrain both going UP, over and down to the Little Bigelow Lean-to consisted mostly of small roller coasters with bigger humps thrown in to keep the hamstrings awake. Our arrival to the lean-to was perfectly timed to enjoy a cup of Coffee's tasty hot coffee. What little chill there was in the air when we stopped was washed away immediately. I definitely have the best trail husband out here. For sure!The most exciting point about being at this lean-to is its actual location. When you arrive at the side trail to the lean-to you are officially 2000.1 miles into your Grand Adventure. Wuhuu!! Can you believe it?   We have finally traveled 2000 miles! Correction - we have WALKED 2000 miles UP, over and down the Appalachian Mountains. Trust me when I tell you that it's an awesome feeling knowing you've come that far. No matter how long it's taken, it's a pretty special feeling. Or at least it was for me. Say it with me -- Wuhuu!!!Our departure from the lean-to took us down to Falstaff Lake, the gorgeous lake view of the past several days. More importantly, it also took us to the East Flagstaff Road where you walk out of the woods, see "2000 Miles" painted on the road and then walk back into the woods. The best I could figure this is where the 2000 mark existed in the year 2000. Since then there have been several reroutes changing the actual location to the lean-to this year. This was another spot we had fun playing with. I got my crawling across the 2000 mark line picture, CeeBee got her 'lady lounging' picture, and Coffee got his 'one zero covered 200-mile mark shot. Needless to say, we had fun playing. None of mine happened though before I deleted duplicate shots of other pictures. Didn't want to take a chance losing some photo I really wanted so I selected a couple instead. Still sitting at 500 pictures. Guess we'll see what happens on the next ones.Our day ended here at the West Cary Lean-to. As much as we had all hoped to take a swim in another gorgeous pond, it wasn't happening. The winds have picked up and the temperatures dropped. Not conducive for this warm weather gal. Maybe a sponge off but definitely not a swim. Bummer again. Next time?There are a couple of new-to-me NOBOs here tonight - Wench, Hot Dog and Walkabout. Hot Dog and Wench after having "met" via the internet prepping for this hike, officially met at Amicolola Lodge shortly before the hike began and have been hiking together ever since. They're an oddity in this way. There are numerous folks that meet beforehand with the intentions of hiking together but for whatever reason it doesn't work out early on and they move on to either hiking by themselves or with someone else. It's pretty neat to see two that actually worked. They seem quite the team too. If they're half as funny with each other during the day as they were with us, they've had a blast for the past 2000 miles! I've enjoyed spending the evening with them.Walkabout is a 25-year-old Aussie gal out for another section hike. A cute gal but I swear I'm going to have to hurt her if she doesn't stop saying things like people over 40 are old and asking how many years this hike has taken off our lives. Grrr... Youth of today - no respect! Due to the possibility of rain, and lack of decent tent spots, we're all in the shelter tonight. CeeBee, Recycled, Coffee and I round out the occupants. It's crowded but fun(ny). Wench has just finished her journal entry and is the last to turn off her light besides mine. She also is keeping a journal here on trailjournals.com so make sure you check it out and sign her guest book. I'm betting it's an entertaining read because she's been an entertaining gal tonight. Again, check it out.Bedtime. All lights are off and I need many hours of beauty sleep to make up for all the years this hike has taken off my life. Grrr.... Nighty-night.Blood, Sweat and Tears: none at allAches and Pains: knees are doing better today.Moans and Groans: 25-year-old Aussie gals with good knees and lots of energy... waah!Critter count: I've actually forgotten. Oops.Countdown: 165.2 miles