Date: 2017-03-31
From: Brown Fork Gap shelter, NC

To: Cable Gap shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: light rain

From Fatboy:There was a big storm during the night with lots of lightning and rain. Our tent was set on a slope so we spent all night sliding to the bottom and my feet were wet from being pressed against the tent wall. The rain let up around sunrise and we thought about getting up but it started raining hard again and we decided to wait until it quit. That was a great choice! When we awoke again it was sunny but cold. Ginger retrieved the bear can and we began our routine. I started heating water but the fuel canister ran out within a few minutes so we had cool coffee and cold oatmeal. It wasn't ideal but we at least had food. Our destination was only about 6 miles to the next shelter and the terrain was reasonable. I felt stronger than any day before on this journey and we both were busy noticing the signs of impending spring. There were violets and many green plants sprouting along the forest floor as well as a sprinkling of red buds that fell from the oak trees. Spring and the resurgence of plants from winter dormancy has always seemed like a miracle to me and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it anew through my wife's eyes. We discussed how good it would be to spend the night in a shelter on a flat surface and wondered where some of our friends were. We reached Cable Gap Shelter around 1530 and were the only ones there. We were soon joined by Tequila Sunshine, Happy Feet, Papa Smurf, and Viet Nam Vet. These were the friends we were hoping to meet and we all stopped together. That's real trail magic! I made my first campfire with the help of others gathering wood and we had dinner. As we were sitting in the shelter a man came hiking down the trail carrying a red box. If you've been on trail for a few weeks there's no mistaking a pizza box. Our angel was Mustard Seed, a local man who thru-hiked the trail a few years ago and now brings in trail magic as well as supporting a medical mission in Honduras. The pizzas and sodas were delicious and we all had pictures together. I've run out of superlatives to describe the feeling of community on the trail. I'm grateful every day for every kindness from friends and strangers. Tomorrow we hike ~6 miles to Fontana and a shower, bed, and big meals. Life is good.From Ginger:Here is the link to Mustard Seed's site, which will tell you more about his mission:http://www.fobf.org/hikingforhopeOne of our travel mates took a tumble. Nathan pounced to take care of the situation: a knee bent sideways and backward as the person slid in the mud. Nathan whipped out the ace wrap we're carrying in the first aid kit, wrapped the knee carefully and suggested the hiker keep that knee elevated overnight. Luckily, it was already hiker midnight. We were all retreating to our beds. Even if it turns out to be more scary than injurious, it could be any one of us, with any step. When people ask what's in his aid kit, as a medical professional, he'll share a few things, then laugh and say that his most effective gear is "up here," tapping at his temple. I was proud of Nathan's reaction and his skill. And, as always, to be with him.