Date: 2013-03-30
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter's Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5

I slept really, really well. So well that I dreamt. I awoke at 6, and thought, Yes! One more hour to snooze. I got up at 7 and got my stuff together. I got my "kitchen" set up to make a warm breakfast, but a shelter-mate wouldn't stop their incessant, annoying chatter. It put me off my breakfast, so I decided for a Cliff Bar and trail mix instead. I wanted to get out of there before I made any enemies. I quickly loaded everything up, and just as I was snapping the last clasp on my pack I looked up and saw the jack-ass heading out. Darn it. I should have enjoyed my breakfast after all. The first mile was easy and a welcome way to warm up the legs. There was surprisingly high piles of snow on and along the trail. As I descended Deep Gap I saw the tell-tale signs of cars and folding chairs down in the parking area I dared to let my hopes rise, and they weren't disappointed. Bud and Ellen Sue from Cumming, GA had gotten up early and come to North Carolina to set up trail magic. They were serving up chili cheese hotdogs, homemade baked goods, fresh fruit and berries, cold drinks and boiled, dyed Easter eggs. I smelled the chili from 20 feet away. The trail does funny things to your tastes and appetite. I had heard that it would, but now I believed. I've been flirting with vegetarianism for a couple of years, and I had thought that I would try to go veggie on the trail, but I also promised to listen to the body and listen to the cravings. Today my cravings were screaming CHILI CHEESE DOGS!!! CHILI CHEESE DOGS!!! CHILI CHEESE DOGS!!! I'm sure I must have chewed, but I don't remember it. I'm pretty sure I licked the paper napkin clean. I was comforted to know that Shan (another hiker I've encountered several times), a 3-year strict vegetarian, had eaten 3 chili cheese dogs at the same stop. There was another truck that pulled up about the same time and began unloading firewood. This group plans to camp tonight and cook up made-to-order omelets (for free) in the morning (Easter morning) for any hikers that pass through. Incredible.After sliding a compression sleeve on my left knee (the first aches I've experienced, but nothing serious or concerning) and taking 800 mg of Motrin, I set back off. The snow was much deeper today, 6-8" in places. As I passed over Standing Indian mountain, the clouds had burned off, and the views were spectacular. There were some impressively high peaks in the distance, and I wondered (hoped not) if I would have to climb them. I met a group of 4 day hikers on top, and we exchanged photo-taking services. The rest of the day was rolling hills with lots of rhododendron tunnels, oaks, moss (lots of vibrant green moss!). Lots of streams and flat camping areas. At one point the ball of my left foot started to burn. I stopped at an ice-cold spring and soaked my feet. Luxury. I really need to do this more often. It's hard to make myself stop and take advantage of these springs and streams, but it would be ridiculous not to, especially given how revived my feet feel afterwards. I also noticed how much I keep my head down, watching where I place my feet. I might travel miles before I realized that I hadn't looked up. I wonder how much I had 'missed'. I'll have to pay more attention.I finally arrived at Carter's Gap Shelter, and it was full. But there was a crawl space under the shelter with a wood platform, and that was mine! It's funny what you come to appreciate and get excited about. Imagine going to someone's house and them telling you it was full, but you could sleep under the porch. Normally I would be offended, but today it was great news! I set up my bag and went about my business. I headed down to fill up my water reservoir. It was a bit of a hump down a steep incline. But the trees were tall and moss covered. The air was light and everything seemed to glow. I was suddenly overcome with the urge to do yoga. So I did. The view from Downward Facing Dog was completely different. I looked under logs. I looked up at the branches against the sky. I saw a lively little earthworm emerge from the moss beneath my hand. Life was everywhere. Quoting Paolo Coehlo, Life attracts life. Tore and Blue came down the hill and greeted me with such warmth and sincerity. I felt I was exactly where I was meant to be. I headed back up the hill and enjoyed the labors of a campfire set up by my fellow hikers. Bitter Goat and another hiker whose name I don't recall made tea for everyone who arrived. We sat around the fire and felt good, felt right. After dark, we retreated to our respective sleeping locales, and on cue the rain started falling. I noticed a little mouse scurrying into the stone foundation of the shelter. But I didn't bother him, and he didn't bother me. I was lulled to the sleep of the rain.