Date: 2007-05-13
From: Roan High Knob

To: Mountaineer Falls
Miles today: 24.0

It's Sunday and it's Mother's Day. It also happens to be the foggiest day I've had out here. Walking outside the old fire warden's cabin that was converted to a shelter on top of Roan Mtn., I go to grab the clothes I had hung out to dry from yesterday's shower. But do you know what fog is? Yep, the fog was so heavy that my socks and shirt were wetter than when I put them on the clothesline. I wrung them out and put 'em on, anyway. Had my mother been there, she would have offered me some warm, dry clothes. I left my poncho up at the shelter and, needless to say, I'm not going back for it. I'm sure someone else out there needs it...But had my mother been there, she would have had an extra one or an umbrella. The several miles following Roan led me over a few balds, but thanks to the cloud cover, I was able to see nothing from the top of any of them. Actually, I could only see the path under my feet and it didn't seem like it was getting any better, but it did. A few more miles took me and my head out of the clouds and back to the real world with blue skies and a blazing sun. I stopped at the Overmountain Shelter, a giant red barn, used as a backdrop in the movie, Winter People. There was some trail magic, but as I found out, it was only leftovers from the night before...Apparently, a group came in and grilled burgers and hot dogs and brought sodas and beer for those staying at the shelter. Mad my mother been there, she would have had something for me to eat. 4 more miles and I was crossing the Roan Highlands, including Little Hump and Hump Mtn. The humps were open air mountains where you could see for miles over grassy plains and across to Grandfather Mtn. Having just watched Braveheart at Miss Janet's, I can think of nothing but that scene of William Wallace running across the hillside in a kilt with bagpipes playing in the background. The helicopter camera is panning around and there I am with long hair and blue face paint running to freedom. You know, my Mom could make me a kilt if I wanted one and probably could teach to play bagpipes, too. From the Highlands, the trail drops to a much different terrain at 19E where I caught a ride to Subway, the only place still open on this Sunday afternoon. I was thankful for it, either way. Back on the trail at 5:15, I had 9 miles to get to the shelter that had just been built last year. I crossed 2 hills and found myself rolling through a valley that gradually sloped upward. This was all well and good except that I came to a crossing where the trail appeared to go off in 6 directions. What do you do when you lose your way and have no idea where you should go? I feel like I've been here before. I checked each path for blazes and none proved fruitful. Following the advice of my Mom when I told her I got lost on Blood Mtn. back in GA, I figured the only thing to do is just go back down the hill and into the valley again. "Retrace your steps." Mom was right. There was a switchback marked on a rock a quarter mile back the way I came. Only 1/2 an hour behind schedule. Keep in mind, it gets really dark about 8:45, so after 6:00 with 6 1/2 miles to go, it was time to boogie. I hit the trail hard doing 4 miles an hour and made it to the shelter at 8:30. That's another thing my mother taught me, "if you put your heart into it, you can accomplish anything." That goes for these last 9 miles and the 2,175 that make up the trail. My mom gave me a strong heart and I'm using it to follow the dream. Once again, thank you Mom for everything you have done and do for me. I hope you know that the juice was worth the squeeze. I wouldn't be who I am if it weren't for you. Happy Mother's Day.