Date: 2008-03-20
From: spring mt shelter

To: jerry cabin shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Pretty good day today. Woke up and it apparently went below freezing last night; rime ice was coating everything outside. It looked really cool, it was built up in the direction of the wind on everything, even the small branches on trees and bushes.Got out a little late but this is less of an issue every day since the days are getting rapidly longer. Finally over 12 hours between sunrise and sunset.I planned on doing a bigger day today, but I was going to try to do it at a leisurely pace, I should have plenty of time.I hiked with Jerry some, and we came to a road crossing that had a sign for trail magic: go 300 yards up for AYCE waffles, chili, etc. Very hard to pass that up so we went.Had hot chocolate, Belgian waffles, red beans and rice with sausage, 2 cornbread muffins, and a full banana split. Simply amazing. I was actually full. They did bring up religion as we were on desert, but it wasn't a big deal. They had some books they were giving out and I took one that I probably will read after my current book. The couple was Hercules and Fal by the way. Former thru-hikers.Made it back to the trail after a bit and kept rolling. After a bit there was a really steep uphill. It seems the trail blazers for this section didn't believe in switchbacks, but I eventually made it to the top. There was supposed to be a lookout tower and I went looking for it but I only found some cell towers. A little disappointing.Kept going and got to some cliffs of sorts. Great views. After that the trail forked: it said ridgewalk or bypass.   Hmm...hard decision.So the ridge walk turned out to be a rock crawl as well. It was pretty challenging and fun, and I lost my balance but didn't fall multiple times. There was also some good views as you would expect from a ridgewalk.The ridgewalk was really slow going but I eventually made it through. After that it was only a couple miles to the shelter.Got in a little later than usual but had just enough time to make dinner and do all my other chores while there was still light. I feel pretty good. My knees are a little sensitive at times but there hasn't been any pain...yet. Knock on wood.I'm trying a couple tings a little differently this leg of the trip. First, my pack is "properly adjusted" as the outfitter at Hot Springs showed me how to do it. It feels uncomfortable for now, but I will see if I get used to it. I can tell that the bigger straps will help and I am eagerly awaiting them.Secondly, I am trying to eat more calories. I did try last leg to eat some snickers and other snacks, but I just wasn't as satisfied as I have been with healthier stuff. I am reverting to my first healthiest menu with a few additions. An extra pack of oatmeal for breakfast. More cheese and sausage for lunch. Peanut butter and jelly for my bagel and granola bar for lunch. Olive oil for dinner with my Lipton. I'm throwing some extra pasta into the Lipton so there is more of it.All of this seems to be making me more content, and it is adding some more calories. It obviously is heavier by a couple pounds, but I think it is worth it.That's about it for now. Looks like I'm the only one in the shelter for tonight, its been a while.