Date: 2006-06-28
From: Baldface Mtn at AT mile 898.3

To: Skyland Road north at AT mile 918.3
Miles today: 20.0

Total miles today 21.2Trail miles today 20.0Start Baldface MtnFinish at Skyland Road north at AT mile 918.3staying in motel   Well the rain woke me up several times during the night but it finally stopped about 4 AM. Getting up was hard as the sleeping bag was warm and I was dry and all that would end the second I unzipped. But I slid out and started packing. Got back into my wet clothes and worst of all put the wet socks back on my poor feet. Everything was extra heavy due to being soaked.    I was on the way pretty quick as the only way to get warm is to walk. I found Joe in his tent about 300 yards up trail from me. He was still asleep. He said that he was so tired and wet last night that he just got in his bag and went to sleep without eating. Not a good thing to do as he walked all day in the rain in just his tee shirt and shorts. I had been worried about him getting hypothermic on me as I was wearing my rain jacket and got chilled near the end of the day. One's body needs energy after such a day and to go to sleep without eating is not good. My lovely dinner was a can of spam (yes the whole thing). I only gagged on the last couple of spoonfuls. I was not going to leave any left over as I figured the odor would entice Mr. Bear. And as I had no intention of going outside in the rain to hang my food bag I figured I best eat it. As to the food bag being in the tent, I was in sort of a bad mood and figured with my big knife laying hung from the top inside of the tent and a hiking pole positioned for eventualities that Mr. Bear was in for a big surprise if he bothered me. But he probably does not like rain either and stayed home.   Speaking of bears, late in the day I was cruising along trying to catch up with Joe (who it turns out was behind me) because I thought he passed me when I went off trail to get lunch (yum... 2 each bacon cheeseburgers, fries, lg coke, milkshake, and a Gatorade). Well I am almost at full throttle zipping down the trail at about 3 mph. Now, when I do this I have to concentrate hard on where I am putting my feet or I will turn an ankle or trip and fall. So it is head down and full speed ahead. Now things up trail are not really in focus but I have learned to recognize them. For instance light colored blobs are rocks, green bushes and dark blobs are trees or cut up trees that have blown down across the trail. Now, of course, it is remotely possible that a dark blob alongside the trail could be Mr. Bear out for a jaunt in the sun. But what are the odds and besides it is not his trail. So, I am flying along and this one blob is getting closer on the left side of the trail. As you might surmise I am not paying it much attention. Now from Mr. Bear's perspective this must have seemed a little disconcerting. After all, these silly humans always get in a big panic when they meet him. But this guy is coming right at him (Click, click with the poles. Tromp, tromp with the feet. Huff and puff.) When this crazy human shows no sign of fear or of hesitation on running him over forth with, Mr. Bear all of a sudden decides that discretion is the better part of valor and jumps up and runs for his life.   Now as you might guess having this hunk of tree right in front of me come to life gets my attention. But before I even have a chance to react all I can see is Mr. Bear's bobbing rear end fast disappearing up the trail. Hmmph! I say to myself. So much for the big brave bear, while also making a note to myself to look down trail a little more often.   Well that is all the excitement for today. I am sitting (all stinking with sweat and dirt) in the Skyland Resort bar having a beer waiting for Joe to show up. How quickly we forget the rain.WyomingWhich way is North?