Date: 2004-05-01
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 6.1

Interesting. According to Wingfoot, I went 6.1 today. According to the relocation maps, I went 5.8. I'd like to think the former.I had no need to be concerned about waking anyone in the shelter. Everyone was up and out of there before 7 am. I decided to take my time, have breakfast, and tape my feet.When I was working at Beth Israel Medical Center as a PTA, one of the PT's, Paul, noticed I had high arches. At first I took it as a compliment but realized he was commenting on my feet. He showed me how I should tape them so the arches were lower. I tried this a couple of times (with duct tape and such) and, believe it or not, it helps considerably.I thought I would let people know that since they wonder how my feet are doing. In the beginning I had blisters but they have ceased (knock on trees.) Now, I have the occasional tendonitis in my ankles. But these are all par for the course, really. I still prefer the uphills to the downhills.After an uneventful quick hike to the road, I turned left and walked to the small but welcoming Kincora hostel. Pat Peoples greeted me at the door and gave me a quick rundown of where everything was. She pulled out three packages--everything arrived in time including the filter cartridge from Lee and Marsha.The shower at Kincora was hot with lots of pressure. They had leftover onion pie from the Irish New Year feast the night before. There was a microwave, refrigerator with leftover orange juice, a coffee maker, and a covered porch to die for.There were also new faces...Mad-libber, whom we met briefly on the trail three days ago, Hitch with her dog Dexter, and Jabberwalkee.Cuppa Joe was also there writing his journals. My old roommate, Sampler (Joanne) showed up with the celebrity hiker, Slowpoke.Slowpoke has had some bad luck. If you recall when I crossed the state line from GA to NC, I mentioned taking a wrong turn for .2 miles. Slowpoke took the same wrong turn but was lost for five days. A search party found him at his most desperate moment. He shared the whole story with me. It was around the time that the temperatures dropped and the hail and snow set in too. He wasn't sure where he lost the trail but asked various strangers if they knew the way back. After being redirected and spending many nights camping, he came to a stream, lost his balance, and fell in. At this point he knew he was screwed because hypothermia was setting in. So he just started yelling "Help!" It was then that a rescuer found him and asked him why he was caling for help. "Because I'm lost and I'm cold." he said. Not anymore. They had about 200 volunteers looking for him when he hadn't showed in awhile.But Slowpoke had a different ailment and was resting up at Kincora. Despite a nasty muscle strain (he is very obviously in pain) he plans to continue the trail. In the meantime, Sampler has been taking care of him, cooking his food, carrying his stuff. He loves it.Pilot, Polar, her dog Jack, Michigoose, and Lefty all showed up as well. Catdog came by to say that she was at the other hostel up the road. I was wondering where everyone went.It was a good evening and a chance to learn a few things about the area from Bob Peoples. He runs the place as a hobby and accepts donations only. People get sucked into Kincora, though, because the rustic wood mixed with the creature comforts and good company are very addicting.