Date: 2009-03-27
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahalla River
Miles today: 5.8

Cell GoodOG notesLast night we were the first ones to reach the shelter, so that meant we got to pick our sleeping spot before the others got there. We've been having a lot of rain the last few days, so we prefer to sleep in the shelter when it rains. We had a full house by the time everyone got there; there were even a few sleeping in tents. Incidentally last night was one of the warmest nights we've had yet and it didn't rain durning the night.It's funny, most of us don't want to be the first one up and wake the others in the shelter. Then when we talk about it we realize we're all laying there awake waiting for someone to move. We'll get used to this and a routine will fall into place.The first two thirds of our hike today was without rain. The last third made up for it by being very thorough in soaking us. We arrived here soaked to the bone and very cold. It is so nice to be inside in a warm dry room.Some of you might be thinking these two hikers have it pretty good, they hike three days and then are inside sleeping in a bed. Right now this is true, we're ducking the bad weather and the towns are situated so that we can. As the weather improves and the days stay lighter longer we'll stay out longer too.C6 notesAnother rainy day. Hiking in mud is challenging. We have to place our feet carefully and be more cautious than when the ground is dry. I don't like the edge walking on mud. The path is frequently only about 18" wide, and sometimes slants toward the downside of the mountain. So when that path is just mud, I get nervous. Wet tree roots are very slippery when they are wet, so that's another thing to be cautious of.Yesterday it poured all morning. When we stopped for the night nearly everything was wet. Today it poured a lot, too, so when we reached our destination I was soaked to the skin and our stuff was quite wet as well. We are at the Nantahalla Outdoor Center...a very nice place that has a lot of kayaking business, etc. We bought me a new set of rain gear, and a new rain jacket for OG. I hope they work better than my old stuff did.We also bought a couple new dry sacks, but we found we need a different style, so we'll be returning them when we go back down the hill for dinner. Luckily, we had put some gallon zip lock bags in the box of supplies we had sent to ourselves here. They will work until we get to a different outfitter and can buy the type of dry sacks we really need.Last evening we were so surprised when Neal ("Old Gear," or "OG") showed up at the shelter!! We didn't expect to see him until late today at the earliest! What a nice surprise. We're going to have dinner with him (and a few others) this evening. It's so good to see him again. Unfortunately, by the time Neal arrived, the shelter was full, but he was able to sleep on the edge (at the feet of everyone alredy in the shelter). I'm glad he didn't have to put up his tent in the rain."Braid" serenaded us with 3 songs on his harmonica last evening before we all turned in. That was so nice!I'm looking forward to dinner with OG, Braid, Rusty, and Screaming Steven. We've spent this afternoon washing ourselves, our clothes, and drying out our gear. We have a private room, which is lovely. It doesn't give social time with the others who are staying in the bunkhouses, but we can spread out more in the private room, so we decided to do the private room after being soaked for two days.It's a couple hours later now. Had a wonderful dinner with OG (Neal), Screaming Steven, Braid, Rusty, Saint, Windup, Rambo (formerly Karl...the guy hiking with his dog, Joni), and Rambo's friend who came to take Joni home so Karl (Rambo) can hike through the Smokies (no dogs allowed in the Smokey Mountains). Karl is from Asheville, which is only about 90 minutes from here by car.We hope to get an early start tomorrow. It's going to be a hard day. Only about 7 miles, but almost all steeply uphill...and it's supposed to be raining for the next 2 days at least. Not a challenge many are looking forward to. The shelter we plan on hiking to sleeps 14, so we hope to be able to stay in the shelter if it's raining. One step at a time, and one day at a time, and we'll get to Maine before we know it!I do a lot of praying in the quiet hiking times, and something became clear to me not long ago. If you read OG's 2006 Trail Journal, you know that we were going to do this hike together then, but OG had a change of heart and felt he had to do it alone. I was hurt and angry, but now I see the big picture very clearly. I now truly believe it was God's plan all along for OG to hike it alone in 2006 and us to hike it together this time. I take great comfort in OG's confidence and memory about the AT. He's patient with me and so supportive. Things would have been much more tense if it was the first time for both of us. This is the best way, and the way I need it to be for my comfort and security. I truly believe God's hand is in this, and in hindsight, I'm very thankful.Old Goat & Check Six