Date: 2003-05-17
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

HOLLYWOOD, HERE WE COME!!Woke up hearing about this wood rat, the size of a "canteloupe"--said by Oopu--that ran all around the shelter. It ate on an apple that was left in a crack in the loft of the shelter. So glad I didn't see it. Damp and cold this morning. Went to Blackrocks which were cool. Couldn't see a view but they were a view in themselves. Made it to the campstore, then went to the restaurant. It was so warm in the building. Food was good but expensive. When we were all sitting and eating, this lady asked if we were hikers. She was excited, asking a lot of questions. So glad she was asking questions and interested in what we were doing. All of us were not motivated but after talking about it with her it just uplifted our spirits. Her husband turned out to be a photographer from the Los Angeles Times who had just gotten back from the Middle East. They were on their way to New York to pick up the Pulitzer Prize award which he won. He took pictures of us. How cool is that? Felt really honored. The people you meet out here!!We didn't want to leave this warmth but had to. As we were leaving, another photographer who freelances with National Geographic asked if he could take pictures. He took some as we were packing up, then got lots of pictures on the trail. Got some closeup pictures of me. Totally felt weird. Who would want pictures of hikers? So I felt like a celebrity today.We walked several miles on the Skyline Drive that had overlook after overlook. Too bad we could only see 20 feet in front of us. Reminded me of the first couple of days in the Smokies. Glad when we got back on the trail. I began to realize how beautiful it is. So many times we get caught up in the dreariness of the day, allowing the clouds to cover our eyes, only seeing the fog and nothing else. So I opened mine and it was so beautiful.FINDING BEAUTY THROUGH THE RAINI stop and listen to the rain, feeling the wetness hit my face.I look through the superficialness of the day, trying to see deeper, finding the things that are often overlooked.I look down the trail; looks like a watercolor painting.The moss that lines the trail is in 3 shades of green.The flowers have a glowing look, and the yellow buds that have fallen make a golden path.Then two deer appear right by the trail staring at me.I wonder if they know that their appearance makes me so happy. How they are so fast and strong, yet they are so quiet and peaceful.Then the trail disappears into the fog. I snap out of my picture perfect moment. I smile, realizing how much beauty and joy lies along the trail. How such a miserable, rainy day can be so beautiful!We made it to the shelter and decided to stay. The weather just got worse. Three other guys and 2 section hikers came in. Fourteen people here. It was so cold. Brian, a guy who section hikes, played some on the guitar--some new songs.Wondering how Trail Days is going. I think we, or I, will go next year. Heard that it is a massive party with people everywhere. Even more hikers came to the shelter. We had 14 hikers in the shelter and 6 tenting. Wow! Where did everyone come from?