Date: 2012-04-06
From: Hogback Ridge

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Best Day Ever. But it certainly didn't start out that way. I woke up when all the early birds first started moving before dawn but rolled back over because I knew it would be a shorter day. But when lacy and I both sat up and stared out into the dense fog, heard the rain still falling, watched our breath in the chilly air, I turned to her and said, "Let's do 20 and get into town tomorrow." She agrees and wewent back and forth about needing shoers, clean laundry, a full belly, dryness... everything we own is either muddy, soaked, or damp. And it's all smelly.   I still laugh at her comment though, "we can do 20 but future magpie is going to be mad at past magpie." So now I wasmentally prepping myself for my first 20 mile day. Rolled out of camp at 8:40 am and walked 2.4 miles to the trail magic promised by a sign near the shelter. Ad what glourious magic it was. Paul, Coach, and Hercules of the Carolina Mountain Club had set up breakfast of muffins, scrambbled eggs, fresh made hash browns, and oj. It was amazing and so kindof them. Such good food felt warm and comfortable on this dreary morning. These guys were so sweet. They were older, had hiked all their lives and come out every Friday to do trail work. We chatted for a long time and one ased, "so how did you like firescald?" I good naturedly said that it was kinda a death trap for someone as clumsy as I. And triedso hard not to have any expression on my face as they told me the AT didn't always go that way but they had decided they needed a view there and spent 5 years builing that sretch. Even hauling bolders and rocks Up the mountain to do it.But Why?! Ha I could just laugh. Thse guys were awesome and I was sad to notspend more tim chatting with them but time was flying.At some point it was like someone flipped a switch and the fog cleared instantly. And up we went climbing big bald. A massive grasy bald bigger than Max Patch with viewsall around. We could se Erwin in the farvally below and all the peaks we had crossed in the past week in the distance. There was such natural grae and beauty to the surrounding wilderness, especially when we compared it to scar on the land left by the one hillside coverexd with a high end development. I'm sure the owners of houses in that gated community have great views but when it was built they did nothing for everyone looking toward them. In that moment I had such appreciation for that somepoint the decision was made to protect the surrounding land and hold it seperae, out of the private sector, available for everyone to come here and enjoy this. Thank you. A lotof us were up there and so lots of picture taking. We were so high the clouds were so close, it felt like yhou could just reach up and touch them. I reluctantly left feeling the pes of time and the cod wind doing it's thing to stiffen my joints. Got to the first shelter, 10 miles in at 3 for lunch. When I headed out I started really picking up the pace and crunching the numbers. At the point I would be getting into camp just before or right at dark. With 10.3 miles to go in 4 1/2 hours there was going to be some pain. I was hurting but went into endurance mode ofjust keeping the legs pumping. I was making good time going 3.5 miles in an hour and a half but man did everything start complaining. The knees were loudest toda. I finally got to spivey where there was a large group of tenters, crosed the stream, then the road,started up the stairs but stopped. Turned around, assessed my pain levels, the 4.5 miles to go up hill, the fading daylight and said I'm done. So wanderedx into the tenting area to find what turned out to be a boyscout troop and asked if they minded if I shared the area. So gracious they said of course but only if I joined them for dinner. Um YES! Troop 13 were smply awesome! They had a fire, made an amazing stew and were such great company with stories and antics that kept me laughing late into the night. I had hung my hat on the side of the trail in hopes of conveying my stopping point to Bookworm which worked and she joined me soon also glad to stop for the day. The troop was full of boys age11to 17 and we talked trail and told storis back and forth well into the night around a big warm campfire. They were so giving handing us candy and then later coming in with apples! And when we had talked about that night with aweful snorers one even came up to me with a pair of unused new earplugs. I was so so thankful fr their amazing generosity. Toda was certainly a gift.