Date: 2003-06-21
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Hike Naked Day? I think Hal decided to stay with me just so he wouldn¢t have to hike naked . . . just kidding! But none of us were too keen on the idea. And actually no one saw any naked hikers so it must be a bigger deal further on up where more thru-hikers are.At any rate, Hal did decide to stay and hang out with me on my zero day ¢ meaning we¢ll have about 40 miles to do Sunday and Monday, since he has to get to Damascus Monday to go home. I¢m glad he stayed, though, because as Toby, Anne, Ben and Walrus took off this morning I know I would have been really sad if all of them were leaving at once.So we hiked back out to Watauga Lake ¢ just what Hal didn¢t want to do ¢ backtrack ¢ to see if we could find my friends, the Clouzets. Toby and walrus actually hiked in this morning and said they¢d passed a large tent with kids so I thought for sure it must be them. The further we got with no Clouzets I started to feel bummed. We sat at the same picnic table we hung out at yesterday, and Hal suggested we head up to the Marina up the road to find a phone to try to call them. We walked a mile or so, discovered the Marina was further than we thought, and Hal said, ¢Let¢s hitch-hike.¢ (My second time) We decided people are more apt to pick up people with back packs (we¢d left all our gear at the shelter). Soon enough a red Jeep Cherokee stopped to pick us up ¢ smack in the middle of the road. Tires squealed, brakes screeched, and as we reached for the door to climb into the Jeep another car came careening around on the shoulder headed straight for us. Apparently our generous driver neglected to look behind him before stepping on the brakes . . . But we made it the mile to the Marina and found a phone. Lisa answered immediately ¢ they were back at the lake! I explained where we were and they rushed over to pick us up.When I saw their van pull around the corner I started jumping up and down! They pulled in and piled out of the van, hugs and kisses all around. I was the flower girl in Ron and Lisa¢s wedding, and have watched their great kids ¢ Chris; 16, Alex, 14; and Stefani, 12 ¢ grow up. Ron teaches at the college I just graduated from, and being close to them geographically the last three years has strengthened our bond. Lisa and I had a standing Wednesday lunch date this last year ¢ I miss that! They are a second family to me.They¢d had an impossible time finding the right place last night, and had finally landed this morning at a car camping site just before the Marina; so we drove there first. Lisa produced all kinds of treats ¢ home made potato salad, vegeburgers, yogurt covered pretzels, M & M¢s Wheat Thins, etc. etc. etc. ¢ which Hal and I promptly devoured.After awhile we headed back to the lake to swing on a rope swing and then to the shelter so they could see a real live AT shelter. (A few days before when I¢d made the arrangements to meet them there I said I¢d be at the Watauga Lake Shelter. Ron asked, ¢Now, do you have a phone number for that shelter?¢ Lisa and I just laughed.)They enjoyed experiencing a little of the Trail, seeing what life is like out here. Then I headed back out with them again to eat supper back at their camp site (meaning I walked a total of six miles today for no credit! :) ). Vege-hot dogs, baked beans, and more. I was glad I had the 1.6 to go back into the shelter!Oh ¢ a highlight was Matt¢s surprise. He¢d gotten a group together to surprise me with new shoes at Kincora, having seen me in Erwin with my injured shin and nasty blisters from my boots. My feet have not been very happy, so I¢d asked my Mom to send my running shoes to Kincora. She couldn¢t find them, and Matt hatched this plan, but ¢ they were too small. So he sent the right size with Lisa today. Thank you Matt and company! I like the shoes (Salomons) very much ¢ hope they like the Trail! Just in case I¢ll carry my boots as well the 40 miles to Damascus. Thanks, again, Matt ¢ you are so thoughtful!I returned to the shelter, Ron and Lisa walking halfway with me again, around 8 to find Hal alone and already snoozing! I wakened him for the treats I¢d brought. Surprised no one else is here, and on a weekend! Wonder if it will be as cold as last night? It was about 38 degrees last night! Summer?