Date: 2016-04-17
From: Spivey Gap-

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

O -30April 17Uncle Johnny's Hostel12.1 milesInteresting day. I really enjoyed my evening last night and socializing with Queen Sweeper. I was most impressed with her camping skills, but somewhat taken aback with her backpacking skills. She reported that the had started on Mar 1 and I figured than to be something over 7 miles per day. At that rate, she will never make it to Katahdin before Oct 15. I was up early and I asked if she wanted to hike together. It was 13 miles to Uncle Johnny's and I thought she might need some help getting to Johnny's today. She accepted and we left before 0830. Another hiker (Sebastian) had came in late last night and camped at the meadow as well. He was moving but a little slow. QS and I hiked the short distance to Spivey Gap where a short uphill began. Berk and I start slowly and I told her to go ahead and we would catch up later. QS took up the hill like a rocket. One turn and she was out of sight. About 30 minutes later a saw a hiker ahead of me struggling with a hill. I immediately thought of a favorite saying of my neighbor and oil plant gang pusher, J.D. Hightower: (Note: edited for social media) "Dog Poop Fast, Don't Poop Long". I was sure it was QS had taken off too fast and now had crashed and burned. WRONG!! It was another hiker struggling. ( Note: I did catch up with QS at the hostel. She arrived about 3 hours before us. I also thought of another trail name for her: Hot Czech). After recently whining about the CMC 16-18% grades, I must admit today was a most pleasant hike. However, Berk faded badly on the last 3 miles. I slowed down, took long breaks and had plenty of water for her but she was done. I would give her the hiking command and she would just look at me, whereas she normally would charge out to the end of her cable. Later, she would just move to the side of the trail and lay down. I took her pack off and secured it to mine. Instant recovery! She could hike and hunt. We made it to Uncle Johnny's mid afternoon for the start a very down afternoon. I went to check in and informed Johnny that I had called yesterday, made a reservation, and secured with a credit card. He was embarrassed a bit and said that an old lady who had the room had not vacated and was staying over another day. He did offer me free tenting I the back and no charge for a Gatorade I picked up. I wasn't too pleased about all this bit accepted it as life happens. Later the old lady came in and Johnny said it was her that stayed over and kept the room. The old B@&$@ then said she was glad to do it and not the least bit sorry. Now I was really P.O.ed and left before I did something regretful. I went out back and set up my tent and was beginning to cool off a bit. Even took a relaxing lukewarm shower. I was out relaxing and just beginning to chill out a bit when Willow shows up and wants me to move my tent so she could secure her hammock to a tree I was under. Why not, it's just another little more annoyance. The hostel runs BLD shuttles into town, several miles away. I think we had 21 in the van on the ride into town. Its been old home week here at the hostel, over a dozen I have seen and hiked with before. Went to a decent TexMex restaurant and a minmum WalMart visit. Back to the hostel, feed Berk and getting ready for bed. Might Do some laundry toniteLife is Good!