Date: 2009-04-12
From: Camp Creek Bald Fire Road

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter, NC/TN 
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

Cell noneOG notesSometimes things happen along the trail that changes your plans. We were given the opportunity to go to Easter service and to give thanks to God for all he has given us. Trial wise we are now behind our friends Old Gear and Braid, they spent last night here.People keep asking me what is different with this hike from 2006. After thinking about it a while I've decided it's the people we are meeting along the way. The Poteat's at Blueberry Patch Hostel in Hiawassee and the Nelson's here at Allen gap. Both couples help hikers because they want to share Gods love with others. I felt the love last time but more on a personal level. By meeting these couples and talking with them I feel God is trying to tell me something. I plan on using the quiet time hiking to listen and pray for a better understanding of what God wants me to do.When I was a teenager I had two experiences that I feel my life was spared from dying. The first was in the Delaware River on a canoe trip. I was in the middle of Skinners Falls with a stuck canoe. My foot almost got stuck between the canoe and a rock. The water current was pushing the canoe against the rock and I would have been pinned there possibly under water. The second incident was in a friends car. He passed another car and we almost hit a steel bridge. We barely missed hitting the bridge by about 12 inches. If we had hit that bridge I would have certainly been killed. I have thought about these incidents since the day each happened. I have been certain God spared me for a reason, one that He knew and I did not. One theory I had was He did not want to cause my mother the pain of losing a child. Another theory is there is something He wants me to do and He'll reveal it to me when the right time comes. I am now wondering if meeting these people are queing me to listen for the sign. I guess the hiking time will allow me to listen.C6 notesWhat an incredible day. A fabulous breakfast, an interesting Easter day church experience, and incredicle views on the exposed ridge before the Jerry Cabin Shelter due to some rare sunshine. Unfortunately, we hear it's supposed to start raining (AGAIN?!!)tonight, and rain for a couple days. I've never been to a Baptist church before, so that was an interesting experience for me. We went to Sunday School first, where a man talked about the resurrection of Christ in an historical perspective. I found that quite interesting.The church service was impressive! It was like being at a theatrical production. A huge choir, many instruments of an orchestra for accompanienment. One piece of music had a guitar, others had a young man playing the drums. Beautiful music.The minister spoke about a scarlet thead of Christ (alluding to the blood of Christ) throughout the Bible. It was a nice presentation. To add to the overall presentation,people posed as characters of the story (e.g., Cain and Abel). They were lit up behind a screen, and held a pose throughout a complete hymn. The characters didn't move, but you could tell they were real people. It was beautiful, and I enjoyed it, but I missed the ritual and music of the church we attend (Episcopal).After a Chinese buffet lunch, Jodie and John brought us back to the trail around 1:30pm. We hiked a very short day because we want to stay in the shelter tonight and didn't want to hike 6 more miles to the next shelter (which we already know is full...from a group that was here when we arrived at this shelter).Part of our hike today was over an exposed rock ridge. Hiking the ridge reminded me of something I meant to write about...the eyeglasses I have with me. I am carrying two pairs of glasses - one is my normal pair, with bifocals so I can read and see far. The other pair has just my distance lenses in them, and they turn dark in the sun. I wear the distance glasses while hiking, and I've discovered a very interesting phenomen as a result. I usually am afraid of heights, but I've felt none of my normal fear of heights yet, and we've hiked in places that would have had me terrified if I were reacting in my usual mode. I mentioned that to OG today as we were hiking the ridge, and he suggested that perhaps the difference is the glasses. I think he's right! With the distance lenses only in my hiking glasses, I can always clearly see my feet and where I'll place my feet. I feel sure-footed and confident with these glasses. When we stop for the night I put my bifocals on and! Find it uncomfortable to walk to the water source with them because I see fuzzy where I'm walking. I feel shaky walking in the woods with my bifocals. So thank you, Dr. Puente for your advice - the hiking glasses are working out great!!I completely enjoyed today and I'm not looking forward to rain....again. Oh well, as OG frequently says, "No rain, no pain, no Maine."Old Goat & Check Six