Date: 2005-03-28
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

To Deer Park Mtn ShelterHaving survived the night very well, we woke up hopeful that the rain had passed.  Peeking out the tent, it looked as though the sun was coming up over the mountains sure to scare off any lingering dark clouds.  Gravity got all packed up and emerged from the tent first.  His report after examining the whole of the visible sky for evidence, was a tenacious "looks like it's clearing up...".  Not three seconds later the sun clouds over and a steady rain begins to fall.  At least it was relatively warm out.  I donned shorts, t-shirt and rain jacket.  I was still hopeful that it was first a light shower, sure to pass soon, thus no rain pants.Last night, not only had the shelter not yet been built, the tent sites not available not having been cleared and the actual shelter site at least 1/2 mi further than indicated in the book, but the path to the water source was not clear.  So Gravity had to bushwack through rhododendron thicket to get water.  By the time he returned from the water gathering adventure, he was less than amused, and hungry for blood.  You should remember this for a moment.  So, we finish packing up, chit chat with the other hikers who camped directly in the middle of the trail and did not fare as well as we, and headed out.  Not 100 yards down the trail there is a perfect, level campsite right next to the beautifully flowing water that crossed right over the AT.  Boy, the Irony - she is a'somethin!We were of the understanding last night based on the guidebook info that the next shelter, Old Roaring Fork, was 3.9 miles down the trail.  Having already pushed ourselves, we'd decided not to push on as we believed it first too far.  After an hour and fifteen minute walk this morning, we arrive at the shelter.  Either the trail had turned into a moving walk way, we'd grown rocket boosters in our shoes over night, or it was actually only just over 2 miles.  We totally could have made that last night.  Everyone had even made room for us from Stick's prompting, expecting us to roll in late.  Double doh!  Cooked a hot rainy lunch, and moved on, still hopeful for a good turn in the weather and wearing raingear on top but just shorts on bottom.  By the time we got to Walnut Mountain Shelter the warm rain had turned into freezing rain mixed with snow and out legs were red, soaked and stinging with the cold.  Stick and Spoonie who just two hours ago were talking a 19 mi day into Hot Springs had changed plans and decided to hunker down in the tiny shelter.We dried off, put on more sensible clothes, and decided to hang up our hope on the day's weather.  Though staying with Stick and Spoonie was tempting, we felt strong and decided to go on as long as we felt good.  We actually made it all the way to the last shelter before the Springs, and as we lost elevation our hopes were renewed and the weather improved.  We even saw a rainbow appear right in front of us, arching over the sun dappled valley and the end almost close enough to touch.  Another gift from nature that makes my soul sing and heart feel full.  Gravity joked that he could practically see the leprochans.  I agree that it was magic to be able to share that moment together, which is what I think he really meant.Danger