Date: 2017-03-04
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

I've reached my campsite tonight near the "Carter Gap Shelter" and I am tenting again. The shelter is nice and looks like it could easily sleep 7 or 8 people but I prefer my tent. In my tent, I have a routine and I know where each item goes every night making it quick and easy to get to. It's almost like having your own little house in the woods to come back to each night. In the shelter, everyone is often crammed together and everything continues to shift as more hikers arrive and try to squeeze into the available space. You get to listen to all kinds snores and other bodily noises throughout the night and/or be woken each time someone gets up to go to the bathroom. There are also mice in the shelters and a much better chance of catching any illness someone might be spread. On the plus side though, it's quick and easy to set up for the night and pack up in the morning, and it provides protection from rain and snow. I prefer my tent, but I will use the shelters on occasion.Today, I completed my first mile-high mountain when I reached the summit of "Standing Indian Mountain" at 5,435 feet. It was a great climb up and back down the other side. The trail was smooth, the climb was gradual, and the weather was perfect after being so cold last night.There are some lessons in life I've had to learn repeatedly. For the last two days, I've really been dragging and I¢ve been totally exhausted at the end of each day. This morning, I took the time to eat breakfast and my whole world changed. The miles were much easier and I have much more energy tonight than I've had on the other nights. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day and I've known that most of my life.I'm no longer hiking with Bill. He stayed back in Hiawassee yesterday to meet up with his wife and son. He is going to hike with his son for the next week. With a little luck and careful planning, we might meet up again later up the trail. Who knows, maybe we'll complete this hike together.You meet a wide range of people on the trail. I spent some miles today hiking and talking with a guy who goes by the name of ¢Grizzly¢. Grizzly appears to be in his late 20s and has spent the last few years teaching physics. He felt his life needed more so last year he quit his job and hiked the AT. This year he is back to complete the 80 or so miles that were closed last year due to the fires.I also met a young lady who told me that as soon as she is done hiking, and gets her GED, she is going to join the Army and become a Seal. She figures she can start as a Major and work her way up to Gunny Sergeant in a couple of years. Back in my days working in recruiting, I felt I was pretty good at flipping a potential candidate to the Air Force instead, but this young lady was so adamant about what she wanted that I let it slide and didn't even mention the AF.   I'm sure my Army buddies appreciate that.I also want to thank everyone who is following my posts. I love reading the emails and appreciate all the advice and support. I would like to respond to everyone but just can't. I often write my post and it takes hours to send. Maybe, as I get further up the trail, I will get a better signal.Tonight, I am in my sleeping bag in my tent. It's cold again with an expected low of 21, but I'm warm, dry, and safe. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.