Date: 2004-07-14
From: Buena Vista

To: Brown Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

18. something today. One shelter to another. But WHAT a day. I was up at 5:00 a.m. I love being in my tent. I was on the trail at 5:45 a.m ready for the biggest climb of the day. It was nothing. I got to the first great view before 7:00 a.m and had some breakfast. Cereal and dehydrated milk with fresh blueberries and the sun coming up. It may have been the most fabulous breakfast ever. And for dessert I had anibiotics. Mmmmmm, mmmmmm good!Can a morning get any better? You bet it can!I have been getting into the habit of hiking without my poles. It slows me down a tad but I like to listen to the forrest. At 8:37 a.m., yes, I looked at my watch....I heard a noise to my right and saw a bear cub trotting away. I was so excited that my mouth dropped completely open and I don't think my eyes can get much bigger. I was thrilled. But being the hunter that I am I decided to be berry berry qwiet! At 8:44 I heard another noise and again to my right about 20 ft away was another cub. Staring right at me. I have never seen anything so cute in my life. I stood very still and thought maybe I could get a picture. He was fine with my hand moving but he did not like the sound of velcro on my camera case. I have since put tape on the velcro. I was so close to getting his picture. Arghhhhhh.....BUT I still saw them. What a thrill! Still being stealthy about five minutes later I heard another noise and two fawns were about thirty feet up....laying down with their heads on a log. They reminded me of Joe dog. I had the camera in my hand at that point but couldn't get in a good shot. I must have walked for five miles with that camera at the ready. And just yesterday Mildred told me that he had seen only 5 bear, or bar as he told it, in 60 years. I had given up on seeing bear and right when I least expect it.....wham! I did a litle bear dance and song the rest of the day. I got to the first shelter at 10:30 this morning. A long 2 tenths of a mile just to read the trail register. Ginger and Mercury and Forrest and 1-thing all stayed there last night. Forrest left a message saying that they would be at Brown Mt shelter. 9 miles away. The rest of the day looked easier and I was feeling great so why not? Exactly one mile from the next shelter I came across a footbridge with these natural falls....all kinds of smooth rocks tumbling into a swimming hole. Should I swim or go to the shelter to meet my friends? Well, I decided to go for a swim cause I would see them soon enough. Remember Charlie Garber the water slide we found in the poconos??? Just like that. I climbed down and emptied my pockets and in I went. The most amazing bath I have ever had. I finally got out when the fish thought my legs were fish food. I was soaking wet....and decided not to put my boots on and walk the rest of the way in my crocks. (rubber camp shoes) I mosied and kept getting in the water and playing and when I finally got close to camp I saw a naked man bathing in the stream. Mercury. I got my camera out and took a quick picture from behind before either he or Ginger bear noticed. LOL, I can't wait to post that one!I got to the shelter about 3:30 and no Forrest or 1-thing. Not sure what happened. The register said they would be at Brown Mt shelter and Ginger and Merc said they were talking about going to hog camp gap....another 8 miles. Which I am certain they knew I could not make. I felt great and could have gone on but why? 18 miles is enough. I feel dissapointed that they decided they couldn't wait. I guess just because I would wait doesn't mean other people will. I need to hike my own hike anyhow. I walked and I learned and now I walk on and learn more. Which reminds me. I decided to do a flip flop for sure. When I get to Harpers ¢¬erry it is nearly halfway over.Either now or then I will jump up to MAINE and work my way south to Delaware water gap. I keep saying to people that ending this hike OTHER than at Mt. Katahdin seems anti-climactic. What a doofus. If I end at Delaware water gap I can end it with family and friends. Is there a better way to end a hike???Sparepocket with a plan.