Date: 2010-04-29
From: Dennis Cove Rd

To: Hampton 321
Miles today: 8.9

The alarm went off at 5:30am downstairs. I laid awake listening to it for a while. It's been a while since I heard a radio. Awesome classic rock songs for a while, then John Boy and Billy came on. I hate them! We use to listen to them at work all the time. Put a shotgun to my head and paint the walls with my blood. I despise them! The alarm was weird. Someone else must have set it the night before. I was up listening to the symphony of snoring anyway. I decided to get up, shut off the alarm and finish reading that awesome copy of Psychology Today from 1995. That magazine was great at one time. Now it's just a glorified Cosmopolitan magazine. I really miss books. Good, smartass, funny, satirical, and mean books. Dave came down and packed up his bags. He gave me some awesome doughnuts! Looked at all the pictures of Thru-hikers on Katahdin. Bob has pasted them to the ceiling in the hostel. They're everywhere! The hikers look so proud and excited! I can't wait for my chance!I ate the granola that Dr. Simmons and Natalie sent me! UMMMMM! Bare-naked Granola! YUM!! I couldn't believe how much getting that package lifted my spirits! The letters from Lish were wonderful! It's amazing how much those letters mean to me out here.I decided to start cooking the Hot Dogs at 11:30am. Walked down to the trail head to post a magic notice. Saw Jerry, the guy who did trail magic at Newfound Gap. Johnny Walker was there. Canadian Geese came into the hostel. Frank the Tank let me borrow his knife for toe/fingernail maintenance. Stretcher and Brooklyn tried to leave but Brooklyn¢s ankle is bothering him. Nemo came in next. Started feeding hikers! Fun seeing tired, hot, hungry hikers come and get their stomachs full. It was like helping family. Whippersnapper, Stitches, Seeker, and Yahtzee talked me into slack-packing over the last 9 miles. Felt guilty for that, but it's the only section that I can say I've still carried a pack over but still slack-pack it.Ceico gave us a ride back from Watauga Lake. Forgot what a challenge Pond Flatts is! I forgot what it looked like until I saw those nice foot-bridges over the streams. I remembered then, how steep this mountain gets! We found Laurel Falls this time! Lish and I gave up right before the last turn. We were exhausted back in August. Just couldn't go any further then. The falls was nice, but still to cold to go swimming. I didn't see the spot where Lish and I camped back in August. The undergrowth is different now. I remember how cold the river water was when we rinsed off there. Talked with Whip on the way up Pond Flatts. We have the same shoes, so we talked about how awesome we are! He's interested in Americorp. Land Conservation. We saw a green snake! My first one! The "Wilson" face that I drew on the white blaze on top of Pond last year, wasn't there anymore. The sun faded it, and all that remains is a shadow of an eye.When we got to the lake, of course I jumped in! I took my shoes off immediately! Such cold water! The wind made it worse. Not as refreshing as back in August. The guy fishing next to us caught a gigantic carp! I laid down in the sun and before I knew it, Yahtzee was calling my name saying it was time to go back. Cieco was there. I rode in the back of the jeep and thought I'd puke at any moment. I've noticed I'm more susceptible to motion sickness. The dinner shuttle was leaving when we arrived at Kincora. Conan, Backwards, Long-Shanks, Inferno, and Maple rode with us to town. I ate 1 whole cheese pizza. Philly cheese-roast beef sandwich combo, spaghetti and garlic bread trail magic.The whole family is here at Kincora tonight. It's like being at a party without the alcohol. Shoulder to shoulder space. I'm glad I waited, but Fun Dip is still behind. They sent word to me that they're quitting at Hampton 321 tomorrow. I don't think I'll see him again now! What do I do?! Maybe I'll leave a note at the trail head. Oh no!Not Bad, Yule, Dutchess, Ice and Dry Clean tried to fire up the "Sweat Lodge". I slept under the tin roof shed on a spring mattress cot. I couldn't have been happier. Dry Clean moved from his hammock and is sleeping next to me. Full moon tonight!