Date: 2003-03-23
From: Hensley Hostel (Pinefield Gap)

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Right now I am sitting on an unnamed overlook near the top of Hightop Mountain.   Beauty. Pure and genuine beauty.   Its about 620 and the sun is casting its awesome rays of pinks and oranges all across the valley down below. Slowly the colors change. Slowly the clouds move. The sun is settling into the distant mountains.   Beauty.   I have taken pictures and shot some footage, but neither will do it justice. I feel as if that sunset was "for my eyes only." When I arrived at the shelter around 400, something told me to eat and then walk up the mountain to see the sun set. Im sure glad I did.   It was the first time in a little while that I was able to just sit, relax and watch Mother Nature go to work.   This morning started at about 730 when I rolled over and flicked on the light.   I still needed to repack, finish constructing FS's Bday gift, take a shower, and clean up after myself- all before breakfast which started at about 815. After another great meal cooked by Carol, I called home and touched base. My parents both asked if I was still getting off the trail and I assured them thart I had thought my decision through... Yes I am getting off the trail.      After throwing my pack in the van, we were off. We stopped at Winston's parents house and they gave me some GORP. I said thanks to them and Winston and then Carol & I made the journey back to the trail.    I decided to go back up to the Pinefield hut to check the register to see when FS came through. There Dubs, a SOBO section hiker, was taking a zero.   Last night that is where FS and Heather, his girlfriend, stayed.   Dubs said they had a good time last night.   Im glad.   As I sat there, I rad the shelter log. FS had left a good description of his plans and it looked as if I might catch them at the parking lot if I hustled. Off I went. I stopped back down a Pinefield Gap to lose a layer of clothing because it was getting warmer. As I stood there, a car went by and without me waving the two people in the back seat were turning and waving- two rambuctious kids? Nope, FS and Heather. Shortly there after, a Ford Focus pulls up with a Scotland Flag license plate cover. Out pop the two crazy Scots and we hav an impromptu picnic. Heather was very pleasant and FS is a lucky man. I gave FS his Bday gift and I think he liked it.   After lunch, they took off for Harrisonburg and me to Hightop Hut. As I walked, I ran into a couple day hikers and we chatted for awhile. I got to the shelter fifteen minutes after four.   I was contemplating going up for sunset, so I made an early dinner and walked the half mile up. I am glad I did.   Now Im back at the shelter. No one else showed up for the evening so it looks like I have the shelter to myself for the night. This will be a first in my book. I have been out for nearly 3 months now and this is the first time I will spend the night alone... I just hope the mice dont gang up and take me out in the middle of the night.      Tomm I will do another small day to give FS a chance to catch up.   i plan on sleeping in and pushing out of here around noon.   Now its 715 and after staying up too late to watch basketball, I need the extra shut eye.