Date: 2018-09-03
From: Antlers campsite

To: Stealth site at Crescent Pond mile 2155.8
Miles today: 17.8

I slept in a bit today after hearing it sprinkle on my tent a couple of times. I knew it was cloudy and not worth getting up for the sunrise so I waited until 6:15. I tried to keep my feet elevated last night on my pack but it wasn't always comfortable and my hips ached so I couldn't sleep too long on one side. I was cleaning up from my breakfast and my site was all packed up when I heard Chad the Dad shout out asking if I was dressed before coming onto my site. Makes me wonder if he saw me bathing last night, creepy thought. River was telling him how nice the site was and he should check it out. He's hiking 5 miles today and staying at White House landing. I'm looking at 17.5 or 21.5 and it's warm and humid again and I left camp at 8:40 so I'm not optimistic about the 21.5 but we'll see. Heat and humidity really drain me.My first stop was a brand new privy about 3 miles north. It was outfitted with what appears to be handicap ramp and grab bars. In the wilderness on a non accessible path. Again today I was hiking alone and took my first break about 6 miles in at a brook. I sat on the ground and leaned back on my pack a little off trail. I saw Galaxy and Songbird approach the stream and stop on the other side for water. They didn't see me and I heard them fooling around and singing. Then River came along and saw me once she crossed asking if I was okay because I'm never resting like that. I filtered water and headed out shortly after that and behind them. River and I stopped a couple of miles up trail at a lean to for lunch right at noon and Galaxy and Songbird continued another 3+ to a lake. The trail between the shelter and lake was rough and I was glad we stopped first. My feet hate all these rocks and roots. Again I dragged behind and when I got to the lake River and Galaxy were swimming. We watched a sea plane land. Dr Who came by and we all had good conversation about the trail and how our bodies feel. Dr Who was going to walk a little on the next road just so he can look up and look around while walking, something we can't do out here. Sometimes I wish I saw more wildlife and it occurs to me that more wildlife has probably seen me. In all seriousness I'm like a horse with blinders on. There could be 6 black bears wearing sunglasses and holding banjos standing next to the trail as I pass by and unless they make noise I won't see them. There have been many times I haven't seen other hikers hiking towards me until they say hello. I'm always looking down at where I'm stepping. A little road walk sounds nice! After the lake I stopped to fill up my water at the next shelter before a 2 mile climb. This little 1,500'+ Mt packed a punch to the gut with the climb up. Very steep. Galaxy and Songbird were with me and we all knew we'd be finding a stealth spot tonight. At one point Galaxy and Songbird we're resting during a climb and so was I, but up trail a bit, when a bird near them started making a racquet as if to protest them stopping there. Galaxy shouted "shut up! You've got wings!" I laughed out loud. They didn't realize I was so close. I'm thinking River made it to Rainbow lean to but there's no way we can before dark. I started the descent while they were still resting at the summit. I heard thunder rumble and a few sprinkles so I stopped and put my pack cover on and quickened my pace. Just before the pond I tripped and did a belly flop right on the trail. If course to add insult to injury a half second later my pack caught up and gave me an extra shove just to be sure I was down. I arrived at the pond where Guthooks notes stealth sites near the water and I found the spot. There is some standing deadwood so I choose carefully my spot. It's 6:45 and I won't have much daylight. I set up my tent and head to the water, wash up and filter some. I spot a tree by the water for my bear hang and got that up. It's getting dark in the woods now that the sun has set so I ate a cold dinner of snacks and hung my bag, brushed and crawled into my tent to journal. I'm all alone here. Galaxy and Songbird must have found a spot to hammock south of me. It feels a bit uncomfortable to be alone but I am confident in my abilities and that is comforting. I have 19+ miles to hike tomorrow and it includes another climb. I'll be up as soon as I wake for an early start. There's ice cream and a bunk and a shower at the end of it!