Date: 2003-07-09
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: few clouds

start Brown Mtn.Creek Shelterdestination Hog Camp GapIt was really hard for me to get up this morning. I just wanted to lay in my tent and listen to the sounds of hikers as they woke up. We camped near a church group of teenagers. We have leaped frogged with them several times. They are friendly and out going. Curious about our hiking the whole trail. The morning is disturbed by the cries of a young man as he stumbles and falls. Pots and water bottles going every which way. He lays on the ground in obvious pain. His knee cap has completely come out of it's socket. His leg looks like it has a tennis ball on the side of it. I go over and pray with him. His name is William. I get a cold cloth for his head and chat with him as his Dad gently bends his leg. The knee cap pops back into place. I encourage him to breath deep instead of holding his breath against the pain. I go back to my tent and pack up. Before we leave Wiliam is up and hobbling around. He will get a ride home at the road that is coming up. I hike on ahead and am waiting for Mudbut when the group comes out of the woods. They collapse on the grassy bank, dropping their packs. I dig out the pack of gorp that Mudbut's Mom had made for me and pass it around. You would have thought I was passing around steaks. We all chatted while phone calls were made to get William a ride. He gets his trail name before we all leave. He is dubbed Two Mile Wonder for hiking the last two miles with an injured knee. I hated to go off and leave him on the side of the rode, but his group thought he would be okay. Still, it would be several hours before his ride came. I would have left someone with him. It would not have been hard for them to catch up. I was to meet Mudbut on top of Bald Knob for lunch. Except there was no bald knob when I got to the top. Just getting to the top of the mountain was a feat in itself. The climb was 2500 feet in 2 miles. At times I felt like I was climbing way faster than that. I finally stopped and ate lunch alone. The sound of thunder sent me scurrying for my pack cover. I got it on just as the rain started. It felt great to hike along in the rain. It was a cool rain, coming down hard enough to wash off the sweat. Within minutes I was soaked to the skin. It felt great. I then came upon the bald. It was on the top of Cold Mountain. Go figure. Bald Knob is not a bald at all, but Cold Mountain is a bald.The rain had passed on through, and the sun was out along with a cool breeze. I decided to wait for Mudbut here. I took off my boots and socks to let my feet dry out. The breeze kept the bugs away. It didn't take long for the sun to dry my clothes. I took out my book and quickly became absorbed in it. The sound of thunder and a chilling wind brought me back to my surroundings. I looked up and saw the darkest clouds I have ever seen, pouring over the top of the mountain behind me. It did not take me long to put my shoes on and pack up to go. By then, the trees were bending under the wind. The tall grass seemed to be blowing around in a circle. A gust of wind blew me off the trail. I had no sooner righted myself, before another gust hit me, sending me sprawling. I was just getting up when I heard the train coming. Knowing I was miles from a train track, I knew that the sound was a funnel cloud. I flew up the trail and seconds later dove into a small stand of trees that were down in a sloping ravine of sorts. I flattened myself down as close to the ground as I could and listened to the roaring sound go over my head. It was only seconds, but it seemed like minutes before the air was still, and only a light rain falling. I sat up and waited. The trees above me were still swaying back and forth!, but they no longer were spinning around in circles. I climbed back up to the trail. I was covered in leaves and dirt, and was soaked. I dug out my rain gear and put it on to warm up. I could see my breath as I hiked. The rain finally let up as the storm passed over. I came to a road crossing and was dismayed to find that the water source was half a mile away. I hid my pack in the woods and headed down the road with my filter and bottle. The spring, when I finally found it, had a steel drum with the bottom cut out of it pushed into the ground. The water was so cold it made my teeth hurt to drink it. But boy, was it ever good. I drank until I thought I was going to pop, then filled up my bottle and my water bag. Of course the walk back to the trail was all uphill. The church group was just crossing the road when I got back. I crossed the road to the open meadow where there were campsites. They started setting up their tents, and invited me to join them. It wasn't very long before Mudbut got there. We made camp and fixed supper. Mudbut sang Happy 800 miles to me. I had forgotten that I reached 800 miles today. I was glad to be able to celebrate. We spent some time around the campfire provided by the young people. It was a very special time for us. We have made some more new friends. There is still a stiff breeze blowing, but no rain. I can hear the crickets chirping outside of the tent. I am once again delighted to be out here. If the clouds will break up the moon will once again cast an eerie glow over us. Even though it is not full yet, last night it was bright enough to see by. We did not get as far as we planned to, but the time we spent with the young people on the trail, and again camping with them has been very rewarding. Again, it is all about the smiles and not the miles. total miles 8.1 total smiles 8 million according to Mudbut, plus a frown or two as we climbed the mountains today. 5 Million Steps for Polio