Date: 2014-04-19
From: jones meadow

To: low gap campsite
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: overcast clouds

As the sun started to light the sky i started to stir about in my mobile home getting ready for possibly my longest day yet. The plan was over 25 miles leaving @20 ish to get into erwin the following day. As i got water and started cooking up breakfast i noticed that the trail steward that had camped there last night had again started a beautiful fire so it was a breakfast around a campfire morning, very fancy. The stewards name is The Cleaner, he comes up about once a week and picks up stuff people have thrown out on the trail, all out of the goodness of his heart. Pretty nice guy if you ask me. With oatmeal swimming in my belly we set off for the days hike. It went very smooth for about 2 miles, then we started up firescald nob. They might have named it rock scramble area if they didnt want to be creative. Captain said at one point 'im not enjoying this', i told him it wouldnt be like this all the way to maine. I think he was glad about that. Not long after it smoothed out and we were sailing along. Took a lunch break at a shelter about ten miles in, had a nice chat with two section hikers. With the sky looking like wetness was coming we packed up our lunch bags, put on rain coats, pack covers, and resumed. Minutes later it was raining. Not a dry rain but one that made things wet. I guess thats to be expected but still not my fav. It was an afternoon filled with little conversation. Both of us in our own heads thinking about whatever you think about when you dont want to think about whats going on. Juat going along making miles things werent so bad. Then came Lick rock. Lick rock is a hill that starts as a wonderfull ravine with a creek, waterfall, and lots of greenery. Very pretty area until it goes up and up and up and then it doesnt become so pretty when all you can see is. up and parts of your lungs. So ok it was a long hill and we got up it eventually, with all honesty i like the hills and will miss them when they are gone. Ive clumb enough of em to make friends with them and to know they will eventually let me get to the top. A few miles later we greatfully got to hogback ridge shelter for a break from walking and the rain. Talked with a nice couple for a bit. They knew about green lakes state park, small world. Looking out at the rain from inside a shelter makes it hard to put your pack back on to walk 6 more miles but we did. Back off into the rain. Within a couple miles we were at Sams gap, really wishing for a trail magic i said the chances were slim. Who would be out in the rain handing out snacks and drinks? Nobody, and nobody was. BUT someone put out a basket with apples and oranges with a sign that said free to the hikers. Yet again people are awesome. I ate an apple and snuck an orange in my pocket for morning. I hope they dont care. A few more miles we made it to the tent site and wouldnt you know, the rain stopped. It had been raining for hours and when the time came to set up camp it stopped so everything would stay dry. Yup, im lucky. Got set up, cooked dinner under my porch, crawled in my bag and was off to dreamland. A good day, long day, great day to be on the trail. I decided that instead of not liking the mud i would focus on how much i liked the soft ground. Nobody has it as good as me today!