Date: 2010-05-09
From: Hemlock Hallow Farm

To: Devil's Fork Gap
Miles today: 18.0

Happy Mothers Day everyone!!!Still feeling under the weather, I knew after hiking the big miles yesterday, I couldn't bear to go today. I asked the Kinsey's about slackpacking. They obliged with a ride to Devil's Fork for Half Left, Red Baron and Wild Poodle. I went along for the ride but knew there was no way I could hike the miles. They went off and I jokingly said, I will have the steaks ready when you all get back! Wild Poodle said "Baked potato and asparagus too!". Little did they know, I talked Fred into giving me a ride to the grocery store to buy just that! I got steak, baked potato, asparagus, salad, beer and smirnoff coolers for the ladies, along with charcoal to boot. They have a grill right by our cabin with a picnic table. Boy will they be surprised.After a nap and shower, I am feeling a little better, Hattie made me another Tea to sip on and I am finishing up the journal. Gotta go get the stuff ready to surprise the weary hikers. Thanks for continuing to sign our guestbook. Even if you have signed it, you can let us know what you think. The messages come right to my blackberry and I pass them on along.Also, Low Key should be rejoining us tomorrow and Cahoda will be starting when Mrs. PMS comes on June 2.See you on the trail...Half Left texted me about 5:30 letting me know it would be about 6:30 when they arrived at the gap. He wanted me to ask Fred if he could pick them up because the road to the hostel is long and has small rocks on it. It really hurts after hiking 18 miles. I ask Fred and he agreed to pick them up. Hattie, Fred and I were in mid discussion when the door to the hostel store opened about 5:55, it was Half Left and Red Baron. Wow! I just finished talking them into picking you all up, where's Poodle? She's about 30-45 minutes behind us, we raced down the mountain wanting to get back before dark. I asked when he thought she would make it to the gap. He said probably 7:00. The hostel owners close the store and shuttling at 6:00, Hattie is very adamant about getting her husband and herself over to their home by 6:00 for dinner so I knew it would be impossible asking them for a ride for Poodle. Fred is very nice and would do it, but Hattie is strick and stern on her time. I told them about the steak dinner I planned and the beer waiting in our refridgerator, they were both estatic and ready for a cold one. We made our way to the cabin as Red Baron went to the bunkhouse. Half Left passed out beers while we waited for Wild Poodle. About 7:00, I could see her across the bridge hiking in. She was exhausted. I ran over to her telling her the wish for steak, baked potato and aspargus had come true, she was also gleeming! We picked a great spot over by the bunkhouse for our feast. There was a grill, firepit, picnic table and firewood all ready for the cookout. I prepared the steaks, while Half Left and Red Baron started the fire. The area is overlooking a beautiful fast running stream on one side and a mountain on the other. I kept looking over at the pasture hoping to see deer or some other animal, but didn't. Wild Poodle took her time, showering and getting comfortable as Half Left and Red Baron downed beers talking about the hike. I had already pre-cooked the baked potatoes in the microwave, wrapped them in foil and placed them on the grill along with the aspargus which I also wrapped in foil. The steaks were ready, I called to Wild Poodle to come eat. We all sat down and enjoyed the Mother's Day feast. It was really nice to hear the hiking stories of the day and look at the photos. A sweet end to a long day for all of us.