Date: 2015-07-17
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Appalachian Trail RR Station/Native Landscapes & C
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: scattered clouds

The heat and humidity today were ridiculous. And water was in very short supply. I was very glad I was carrying extra water today.There were road crossings and railroad crossings, with questionable water sources very close to both. To me it is just not worth the risk of running questionable water through my water filter.I stopped briefly at the Telephone Pioneers Shelter. The stream was dry. The AT guide said to get water from a house .7 miles north, but a notation in the trail journal said the house was for sale and the water turned off. I was glad I was not planning to stay.From the shelter it was an easy 3 miles to the Appalachian Trail RR Station. (Not really a station - more like a bench on a platform. ) If I really wanted to, I could step off the AT and take a train to NY City. I have no interest in doing that.I stopped at Native Landscapes & Garden Center on the AT and next to the train station. The owner graciously and generously allows hikers to use his restroom, take water from his spigot, enjoy a cold outdoor shower, use his outdoor outlets to charge their phones, and camp on his property. (The next shelter is about 10 miles away.) He also sells cold drinks and ice cream at reasonable prices.Mado, a fellow thru hiker I got to know recently; and Freebird, a thru hiker I last saw in Franklin, N.C. were there along with a few other hikers. My phone was badly in need of a charge, and I was pretty whipped from the heat and humidity, and the pain in my left foot So I decided to call it a day.Hikers were directed to tent on a narrow strip of land between the RR tracks and the highway, on the other side of the building. For some reason a rotating sprinkler was set up and spewing water at the entrance to that narrow strip of land. The only way to avoid getting soaked was to time your passage and run like crazy.I found a small flat spot, set up my tent and stowed my pack. Then I joined the other hikers at the gazebo to charge my phone, enjoy some ice cream, and cook my dinner. The business closed at 5 p.m. We were amazed at the number of trains that passed, their speed, and the noise. (Think of the I Love Lucy episode where they take a trip with Fred & Ethel and stay in a shabby place with loud trains passing all night long.) The road in front was also loud and busy.Just as I was finishing dinner, a couple of hikers came to tell us that a strange guy was in the camping area, and they were concerned. The creepy guy had no tent and no pack. He was dressed in a heavy camo jacket, had knee and elbow pads, and (I kid you not) cheap bright pink army boots. He has carrying a thick survival book.He made himself at home next to a couple's tent and proceeded to light a cigarette. I felt the guy should be told to leave, and if he refused, the police should be called. The property owner invited AT hikers to stay. The creepy guy was obviously not a hiker, despite the fact he said he was hiking. He also clearly had some mental health issues, and I do not do crazy. If he did something, I did not want the thru hikers blamed, and I was very concerned about our safety. We had no idea whether the creepy guy had any weapons or what he,was capable of doing.Mado took pity on him and gave him some food - a can of Spam, which the creepy guy did not eat. Freebird talked with him. I went to my tent and tried to call the property owner, but could only leave a message on the business' recorder. I also called my husband and told him what was going on. The couple were so creeped out by the guy they packed and left. It was 7 p.m. I considered going with them, but I was all settled in for the night, and they did not want a middle aged woman they just met tagging along.Then it appeared that Mado and Freebird had convinced the creepy guy to move on. He was packing up his stuff and walking out of the area. I let my husband know the guy left, and I went to sleep.Unfortunately the creepy guy later came back. In the middle of the night he woke up Mado to ask for help. He claimed he was having a panic attack and needed someone to call 911. Mado woke up Freebird, and the two of them called the police. The police and an ambulance took care of the guy.I did not find out what happened until the next morning. I had ear plugs in to help me sleep through the train and highway noise.The AT is calling. Next time, when crazy comes knocking, I do not care what anyone says, I am calling the police. I would have been safer taking my chances in the woods with the bears and the snakes!!