Date: 2006-04-21
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter, NC

To: Roaring Fork Shelter, NC
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: light rain

Day: 35Date:4/21/06Start: Groundhog Creek Shelter, NCWeather: Thunderstorms until mid-day, then overcastFinish: Roaring Fork Shelter, NCMiles: 8.2Cumulative A.T. Miles: 252.7Clay: Last night it rained cats and dogs. Nearly everyone wanted to tent regardless. This is because we were not allowed to tent in the Smokies and we all wanted privacy.This morning we were awakened by thunderstorms. Since we were to be crossing the 4629' Max Patch (392 acres of bald mountain), we wanted to let the majority of the storms pass before we started out.At the first near-ceasing of rain, Branch, Blazer (from GA), and I took off. About 1.5 miles in, the rain started pouring and the thunder began again. We trudged on in the sludge.Branch: As we continued walking amongst the thunder claps, Clay and I decided that we would reevaluate when to go up Max Patch based on the weather. As I hiked, I prayed that God would make it clear whether we should start climbing. I told God that if we got to the gap and there were people there, we would would hold off on climbing. As I prayed, I also daydreamed about how wonderful it would be if there were nice people at the gap with tarps for us to stand under to get out of the beating rain. Clay also prayed for a sign, he asked for an obvious change in the weather to let us know not to go up. As we descended into Brown Gap, I could not believe my eyes as I began to make out an orange-topped easy-up and saw people putting up other easy-ups as well! As soon as we came under the tarps, there was the biggest flash of lightening and strongest thunder clap that we'd heard all morning. Immediately the rain and wind started to pick up as well. Talk about answered prayer! Not only did God provide a clear sign, he also provided Ox, Lisa, and another very nice lady who brought *tons* of food for us to devour. While we were there, I inhaled 2 servings of delicious eggs, a cup of coffee, a cup of juice, several grapes, some cookies, lots of candy, an incredible cheeseburger, chips, a Coke, and probably more. We even left with two oranges and some candy! That was enough to keep me full all the way up Max Patch and to the shelter. Another highlight of the "Trail Magic" was meeting Baltimore Jack, who has hiked the entire trail several times. It was a pleasure hanging out with him!As soon as Clay finished his second cheeseburger, the rain calmed down, the lightening and thunder subsided, and Clay, Blazer, and I were left to safely climb up the bald.Even though we did not get beautiful views from Max Patch, it was still an amazing bald to me. As we climbed, we could watch fog hurry over the peak and into the valley below. I can see how one could easily loose their way on top of this grassy mountain. In fact as we neared the top, I thought I heard the sound of teenagers yelling. In the fog, I couldn't see anyone but Clay and Blazer, so I thought I was going crazy. Suddenly, however, we found ourselves in the middle of a game of touch football that a group of teenagers were playing. How odd was that! We thought we were in the middle of nowhere, but out of the blue there was a group of people with no packs playing football in the fog! After talking with them, we found out that we were less than 1/3 mile from a road. So we explained that we were on a trail, answered the usual thru-hiker questions, and were on our way.Tonight we are in the shelter with Blazer, Reststep, Archeopterx (from New Zealand), Davie Do, and Skeetch. My tummy's full, the sun's going down, and I can hear the beginnings of thunder in the distance. I think that its time for bed. Goodnight.