Date: 2005-04-05
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Side-of-the-trail campsite
Miles today: 13.6

When I pitched my tent last night, I did it away from the shelter. That way, I wouldn't hear everyone stirring about at sun-up. Great for sleeping, but not so much when one wants to put some miles in. So once again, I slept in. 10 a.m. on the trail. Improvement over yesterday, but not there yet. Met Ican and Seneca as I was about to leave. They'd already done 5 miles. Today was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Sun was out, breeze was up, and it was warm on the trail. Still snow drifts around left over from Saturday's storm. Yup, still glad I was in Hot Springs that day. I didn't feel as sluggish as I did yesterday, but I wasn't ready to leap tall buildings in a single bound either.The trail led up the side of the mountain and on to an exposed ridge. Lots of scrambling over rocks while trying not to get blown off by the wind. This lasted a few miles, but there were some great views along the way. TN to the left, NC to the right. Stopped for lunch just shy of the shelter again. That's two days in a row I've given in to the hungries right before I get to the picnic table and water source of a shelter. So anyway, about this time the sun was high and hot, and made the going a little slower. I managed to stay on top of the "keep Porter Hydrated" game for most of the day (water everywhere) but ran out later in the day (no water anywhere). Fortunately for me, I didn't shrivel up and die. By that point, the sun was lower, the trail shady, and I was going downhill. Lousy, but it could have been worse. Strolled into the Flint Mountain shelter and made a B-line for the water. Filled up and waited for the iodine to work it's magic. Downed a half quart without even thinking about it. Since it wasn't dark yet, and I had a late start, I decided to push on. That, and I wasn't thrilled with the crew at the shelter. On a completely unrelated note, mice/rats/vermin are everywhere out here. I chose a little spot to pitch my tent - mostly out of the way, not at a shelter, and yet right now I hear one of said varmints digging around in my pack. I'm not sure what he's found in there as I believe all my food is hanging up in a tree right now. His presence irritates me. Maybe he's licking the spilt peanut butter off my rain jacket or something. It's been there a week. Probably nice and tasty by now. Oh well. It's out there and I'm in here. Much better than having the little fella tap-dance his way across my head like his brother did one night in the Smokies. Now that was grand. But I digress...So anyway, I hiked about another mile and pitched my tent in a flat spot. Seneca and Ican are camping here as well. Had a good view of sunset while cooking/eating dinner. Pretty colors. With the sun down, it's "retreat to the tent" time for some map and data book reading, and finally, journaling. I think today I passed the 300 mark. Seems like the miles are going by faster for the most part. Judging by the map, we're fixin to say goodbye to NC, and travel exclusively through TN until VA. Maybe at least the trailbuilders in TN have heard of switchbacks. I guess that's something to look forward to, eh.