Date: 2004-05-31
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Marble Creek Campsite
Miles today: 12.2

05/31HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! I'm camped out tonight with Boo-boo and CuppaJoe at a campsite. I said goodbye to my sister only 3 hours ago after a day mixed with hilarity and stress from home. On the whole, I feel so nice just to have been visited by family and friends though, and the walk was pleasant.At 8:30 AM I awoke in a room full of girls. I looked over at the cold double cheeseburgers from the night before and soon found myself breakfast...nothing clogs an artery quite like a cold double cheeseburger. Then I made a mistake. I went through my bills from home. Rather than go into detail, I'll put it this way: It wasn't good. At home I am waiting on my friend to finish the house we worked on together, if nothing changes (i.e. he finishes and we sell it) I will have to do something to pay the bills by July...until then, I'll pray. I decided to put the stress behind me, though, and we left at about 9:30 AM. I drove and we stopped to supply with snacks. It was odd to see hikers carry Dasani bottled water, but it was cute. At 10:30 AM we arrived and walked toward the trail. The girls named themselves the "hot pink hotties." They all stopped at the privy and complained of "no hand sanitizer." I knew it would not be a normal hiking day, but I also knew my sister must really love me.I nearly peed myself as I watched Carla tiptoe across her 1st stream...ever. As we walked, we joked and the company was wonderful. We hiked a long way (a quarter of a mile) before I heard the first "Are we there yet?" It quickly became apparent that Pam/Carla were out of their comfort zone. Soon, Erin had Carla's bag and Karen had Pam's...I laughed. Carla told me she is going to thru-hike, but I believe her to more likely become a pirate...or a cartoon character. After just under a mile we arrived at Black Rock...wow!Black Rock is an outcropping with a gorgeous view. We all climbed out on the rocks and stared at the beauty. I was so proud of my girls ? While up there, Carla mentioned our apartment situation...ugh! The same friend "working on the house" was "going to" lease my room for 6 months. Carla has seen no money (or roommate) and I had thought it was covered. I told her that if she had a friend to lease my room she should go for it. It killed me since I'd rather just live with us two, but I did not want to shaft Carla. While stressful, Carla and I had very productive conversation, and it was awesome to have my best friend to discuss problems with. By 1 PM, Carla and Pam seeme3d to be hurting...after 2.7 huge miles we had lunch. We all ate...Pam, Karen, and I each had another cold double cheeseburger...yum (only not really yum). Over lunch, we all joked and relaxed. Who could ask for more than Hot Pink Hotties and cold McDonald's products? I hiked ahead with Karen, an attractive 22-year-old friend of Carla, and we discussed serving not stressing about the future, and being adventurous/traveling. Every few minutes, we would all stop and regroup. Soon, Erin joined Karen and I in the lead pack. Before 2 we reached the top of Apple Mountain. There was a huge meadow and a RADAR tower...I had a blast sprinting across the meadow. We were all smiling as we headed toward "The Guillotine."The Guillotine is one of 3 places on the trail where the path passes under a rock. The rock is a large boulder wedged between 2 other large rocks. It was mildly dungeon-like and we all posed for pictures. As we walked on, we told some bad jokes (like only my family can) and all was well until Pam hurt her foot. I decided to keep the hike short (5.3, not 6.3) as we reached Thunder Hills Shelter. As we arrived, I saw Boo-boo hovering over a fire with a mildly crazed look. It was 3 PM and he had never broke camp. Had Boo-boo been waiting to meet my sister? The girls were happy to be done for the day and Boo-boo was a gentleman. Karen and I hiked to the road to hitch back to the car. We got a ride from a "lovely" British couple and picked up the rest of the "hotties" by 4 PM. I gave Carla a huge hug and said goodbye...It was tough, but I'll see her again in about 3 weeks. Boo-boo and I hiked a pleasant six miles, passing Columbine and Spiderwort. I tried to forget about stress and bills, and Booboo helped. We thought about hiking late, until we reached a camp at 7 PM that just looked right. We joined CuppaJoe for the first time since we started the trail. I've set camp, ate dinner, and drank lemonade...now I'm going to read until I fall asleep.Final Thoughts: 1) Boo-boo called the girls "sirens." They thought he referred to beautiful women who woo men and kill them in the Odyssey. I think he was just calling them beautiful. Ha, ha, ha...2) Though Carla brought stress, she also brought a comfort and a friend. I wish she really was hiking with me.3) I managed to get Boo-boo's rope unthinkably stuck 30 feet high in a tree. There was no hope to get it down, but our laughter may have been more valuable than the rope.4) My tent zipper broke. I hate bugs! I love safety pins!5) I want to talk to my mom when I go into town. She always has good advice that I don't want to hear ?6) I think Boo-boo has a secret crush on my sister.7) I missed church yesterday ?8) Boo-boo is slowly becoming a good friend...this is hands-down the most ridiculous of any of my friends' names. OK. I'm exhausted now and my book is calling me: "Come read, Beatbox." I will answer the call. - Beatbox