Date: 2014-07-03
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Governor Clement Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: few clouds

Apparently today is the day for playing it safe. Lots of instances of it below. Definitely made the right choice yesterday. It poured from about four to six then off and on. An older couple from McKinney, Texas showed up in the middle of it all. They're working on finishing their section hike and that was their first day back. Really nice but always shows when someone is out of practice. Very disorganized. Can't find anything. But in a week they'll be a well oiled machine again. Was up super early. Probably 5:30 and crept around getting ready. I want out early as I'd really like to make it up Killington peak before the weather hits again. Otherwise I'm stopping early and having to do the peak in the morning. Turns out everyone else was ready too so we all ate breakfast and packed. I must say - probably the nicest privy I've seen. Even had handicapped grab bars and what looked like the proper wheelchair turn around radius. Humorous. Really really beautiful trail this morning. The rocks are very slippery and the low spots muddy but I can't get over how in just a week it's changed from the oak/beech deciduous woodland to this big mix with conifers. The scent can be intense. Lots of the little red efts (salamanders) on the trail. I'm sure I stepped on a few and didn't realize it. Plus saw three deer run off. They used to be an everyday occurrence but hadn't seen any in weeks. A highlight this morning is the Clarendon Gorge. Deep rocky chasm with a rushing river. You cross over with a suspension bridge. A little too early to go swimming and I think the rains have made it more rushing then I'd want. There was a plaque on the bridge that it was dedicated to a hiker who died in the river. Yikes. Just beyond is a road and a half mile west is my favorite part of the trail. Real food!! A diner that I hope is open and can avoid me hiking another half mile for a one day resupply. I called and no answer but walked anyway and yes! There's the open sign and it looks great.   One of my favorite places so far. A nice big lawn with picnic tables, a big deck also with tables and the owner greeted me at the door and had a place for my pack and get this - a drying rack for any wet clothes! Came inside and without asking directed me to seats near an outlet (charging phones is a big deal on the trail). I rewarded her with an order of French toast, a club sandwich with a side of onion rings, three cokes, and a blueberry shake. I have lost a ton of weight on this trail but it's slowed and actually maybe reversed in the last few weeks and this is why. I should also have learned from just two days ago that a heavy meal followed by a steep uphill in heat and humidity don't mix. And this was a rock scramble. Big steps and heavy breathing. Just beyond the top is another shelter with a privy that I practically ran to. Refreshed, I realized I misread the map and have almost six miles to the next shelter. Earlier I thought only four and might be able to squeeze the peak in but not likely now. I'd probably be about half way up when it hits. Unlike yesterday I don't have cell service today and can't see radar but the report in the morning said it was starting at three. Almost to the next shelter I see a detour sign. A bridge washed out from hurricane Irene and they're moving us to a road walk. Easy but exposed and hot. At the shelter now and half the log book check-ins say the detour is for putzes and all you had to do was ford the river. Extra miles for nothing. I feel like I'm here too early. It's 3:30 and the clouds are definitely building but no rumbles or anything. So early to be stopping but better than being wet and creeped out. This shelter is the second oldest on the trail and seems very mousy so I may wait until after the rain and set up my tent. Sleep so much better that way anyway. It's about five now and I'm joined by the two guys doing the Long Trail from a few days ago and then Gray Squirrel and Flossie. All wanting to escape the rain. But still...no rain. I decided to go ahead and set up my tent near the creek. So did Flossie and Grey Squirrel. We all had dinner and the thunder rumbles started way off in the distance. Happens a lot here. Just reverberates back and forth between the mountains and travels long distances. There's a sign up that there a bad porcupine problem here so we all hung our food. It did start raining about 6:45 so I got in my tent to read. Picked up a southwestern crime novel at the last shelter called Hunting Badger by Tony Hillerman. Well see. The thunder has gotten really intense but eventually calms down. Good to sleep by.