Date: 2004-03-25
From: Wayah Bald

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

The forest fire last night was a "planned burning". What the h*** is a frickin planned burning? The forest service used the above term to describe yesterday's fire; oddly "Yurtle" who is in the shelter with me tonight, was questioned by the fire marshall if he had seen the fire. It would seem to me one would not need to question hikers about a "planned fire".Last night I had a couple of beers (yuengling) with "Grace" and "Cheers" and we went to a Western Sizzlin Buffet. The beer was nice (no crazy drunkeness, just a drink or 2) the buffet was not. Words cannot describe my opinion of southern fried chicken livers. I also did not know that Pork BBQ had small bones in it. It is neat however that everyone in the town of Franklin seems to have emerged from a Jeff Foxworthy sketch. That said the hotel, The Haven, was awesome and the owner rocked. We played connect four and ghetto chess (this is when you make your board of grocery bags and use any item you can find for pieces). I lost. The rooms were warm and clean with fridges, satellite tv and microwave for $40 a double. The owner told me the number for "spanish playboy", but I said thanks anyway. "Cheers" and "Ross" were cool and we all decided to eat breakfast at Shoneys, when I hear Shoneys I just imagine idiots with short skirts and jeans with holes in them so their knees are showing. The hotel owner dropped us off and we ate like pigs. I had over 10 pieces of both sausage and bacon. The waitress looked at us like we were not of this planet. We did not actually get to the trail until 1:30 pm, but while this was later than I hoped i was fine. I also ran into "Sweet Leaf", "Vapor trails" and "Pilot" at the hotel, all of whom I have met before. It was cool to see them. Hiking was nice as always. I covered 11.5 miles in 4.5 hours. The mountains in North Carolina have "balds" which are large meadows. In general I see more flowers and grasses as well as a greater variety of trees. I hiked through crazy amounts of Rhododendron (natures t.p.) and felt like I was in a Pre-Historic forest. My pace was strong again and I did well for starting so late. I had another nice time of prayer and I feel so blessed being out here. "Yurtle the turtle" and I are the only ones in the shelter. Yurtle is a 22 year old guy from NY who does 25 miles a day. He is the 3rd hiker I have met with a pace clearly faster than mine. Its nice to have someone to talk to though. To finish today's journals I will close with 5 real thoughts and 5 fun thoughts:REAL1. Life is like this trail, its long and the whole venture is more important than the success of any one day.2. I see God so clearly in little things.3. I find this my "wilderness experience" to be one where I am actually meeting all kinds of new people. Its more social than real life.4. Away from the "real world" it does not take much to make me happy.5. Big goals can't be achieved if small ones aren't first.FUN1. I climbed Wayah bald (pronounced why-ya bald), its as though nature mocks me.2. I talk to myself, don't shower, and I poop in holes... and this is normal.3. I get to eat 5,000 calories a day, and I lose weight, and I'm hungry.4. Why do men always pee on trees, why not just on leaves and open grass?5. I hike for hours with no brain activity... This is considered highly productive.Good night-BEATBOX