Date: 2006-05-08
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I had so many things run through my head today that I wanted to write in my journal tonight, but as it usually goes I have forgotten most of them. But I wanted to make this journal a bit better today seeing as last night's journal was lacking in substance since I could not keep my eyes open.This morning was an awesome morning. Despite the fact that we had to put back on wet clothes, socks and shoes...always fun.   Better than a strong cup of coffee. We only had 2 miles from the shelter to the road where we could hitch in to town and breakfast. So we quickly packed up and without eating pushed out and walked the easy 2 miles and out over the million dollar AT bridge that goes across the river. Apparently, hitching is easier in the rain, because the second Swansons and I stuck our thumbs out an awesome guy in a jeep picked us up and we dried out in his prestine leather pickup. Probably stunk up his whole truck. Only problem was when he pulled in to town he began explaining to us how there is only one restaurant in town but it was a good place..well, that place was closed and for sale. But, he said, that's OK there's a deli down the street. So he pulled in there and that was closed. He seemed defeated. So he dropped us off at the small grocery store and pointed us down to a gas station and said they might have breakfast.We were a little bummed about no breakfast place. But we wouldn't let that get us down, not when there is good gas station junk food to be had. So we set to work on eating food and buying food for the next stretch then eating more food. Then as we got all our town chores done we ran into Sourdough and his pup Action Jackson and they had a ride lined up back to the trail. He invited us along and we were glad to not have to hitchhike again. But they weren't leaving until they had hot dogs. Well we hadn't had hot dogs yet that morning. We'd had everything else, but not hot dogs. So we stuffed some dogs down and it was back to the trail.Back to the trail to climb back up to the ridge for 5 miles. Stupid us stuffing ourselves before big climbs. But the best part was at the end of the climb we sat on a cliff and ate chips and ham sandwiches we hiked out from town. That was the best lunch I had ever had. The view was amazing with a perfect bit of fog to make it a bit different. Everytime I eat lunch at work from now on I'm going to remember sitting on that random cliff in the mist and fog eating a gas station pre made ham and cheese on rye and pringles. No sandwich ever again will ever taste so sweet. And yes, every crumb I dropped on the rocks and in the dirt I ate.But then the moment is ruined by the cold and the fact that you are going to get even colder if you don't get back up and start hiking along again. Picking the pack up is like punching in from lunch on the time clock. Back to the old grind. But a better grind than a 9 to 5er.The hike was cold but as usual green and wonderful. We rolled in and out of fog for the whole day and sometimes weren't sure what we were walking towards. It was the perfect setting for our climb up Bluff Mountain which at the top had a memorial to a little 4 year old boy. Apparently, in 1891 he wandered 7 miles away from the school house and his body was found in that exact spot on top of the mountain..add that with fog...kind of creepy.All in all easy day. We are staying at Punchbowl Shelter with Sourdough and a bunch of section hikers. This is our first shelter with an actual pond in front it and the frogs... Well, you have to speak over them. They seem very excited tonight!It's raining again and even a bit chilly..I can't wait for some warmth again. The last couple of days have been a bit cold. But, I think I'm going to enjoy falling asleep to the rain and the frog symphony. It's kind of soothing.