Date: 2010-05-03
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

I have no idea why, but I have been blessed with some of the most amazing friends in the world. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll try to lay out all of the day's events. Let's back up first to yesterday. I've already said that it was tough to see Braids go. I discovered yesterday that I had grown a bit more accustomed to hiking with her than I realized. As soon as I left Mom and Naomi, I was feeling homesick and lonely. I hiked a long, very fast day and was exhausted when I got to the shelter. I had a note there from Braids saying she was staying at Woods Hole Hostel the next night and asking if I'd like to join. This would mean about 21 miles for me. I hated the idea of another 20 when I was so tired from just having hiked one, but I loved the idea of seeing Braids the following day and probably hiking with her through Trail Days. I called her phone and left a message saying I'd almost certainly be there. This brings us to this morning. I woke up still very tired and with very sore feet. Immediately, hiking 20 miles sounded awful. I called Braids' phone again and said I may not be there, afterall, but we'd have to see. I soon left the shelter and set off for my day. I was so upset, because I didn't feel like I could handle another 20, but I wanted to see Braids and felt like I should hike to meet her. By the time I got to a road crossing at just 1.2 miles, I was in tears.I called my mom for advice, and soon had decided that I shouldn't push myself if I was so miserable. I called Braids' phone yet another time and left a message to that effect. Of course, me being me, I started crying halfway through. I was a complete mess! After making my decision, I felt much better. This was helped even more by the awesome trail magic that was also right at the road. (Cokes, chips, and homemade blueberry muffins - yum!) I hiked on, feeling better and better.Fast forward to several miles later - I'm hiking along when I see a day-hiker who looks an awful lot like Braids. I know I'm only imagining this because I miss her, but as she gets closer, I realize I'm not crazy! It is Braids! I ran and hugged her (And of course started crying again....) As it turns out, here's how her day went:She camped a couple of miles before Wapiti Shelter. She hiked out for breakfast at the shelter and then headed on towards Woods Hole. She finally was able to get cell reception for the first time in 24 hours or so about a half mile north of the shelter. She then got all three of my crazy messages at once and heard them get progressively sadder. When she heard them, there was no choice in her mind. She turned around immediately, left her stuff (properly bear-bagged and all, with a note for other hikers) at the shelter, and headed back south with her lid as a fanny pack. All told, I estimated that she hiked an extra 15 miles for me today! We were both pretty thrilled at the reunion, because this means we can hike together at least through Trail Days. Hers was a gesture of ultimate friendship that I will never forget. Thank you for caring so much, Braids!We had a great lunch at Dismal Falls while we sat and caught up on all the things missed on our "long" two days apart. We eventually hiked on to the shelter where all of her stuff was just where she had left it, and we've had a great evening so far with an ever-growing crowd of thru-hikers. Rumor has it that Dirt Stew and Dormouse should be along soon. Yay!I came out here to hike solo, but it's REALLY good to have my friend back. Postscript, May 5, 2011: Yay Braids.