Date: 2014-05-09
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was my longest day yet! 21.6 miles! Oh yeh!!!! I decided I didn't care how long I had to hike today, but I was not stopping until I hit Double Springs Shelter. I got up sorta early and was walking by 745 or so and headed over the dam at the lake. the trail wasn't marked super well and it took me a few minutes at times to find the trail. I got to the first shelter after the lake and met Ireland who of course is from Ireland. He was very interesting to chat with. I also ran into Rod and Reel and found out he had his foodbag taken by a bear twice in the night. I gave him some of my food since I was overloaded and he was thankful. Clouds were rolling in so I headed on. I met MochaPot, Bliss,O-positive, Metinoya, Maintenance, Dory and Overhead today. I hiked with the girl Bliss for awhile and we had conversation about everything from hiking to religion. It was cool to talk to someone new and especially someone who doesn't force their opinion on you and will listen to yours as well. I ended up ahead of her and stopped at the last shelter before Double Springs and an older couple were there and gave me a buffalo chicken wrap which was really good. The couple were fairly new to hiking and were very interested in trail information. Bliss showed up soon and they gave her some food as well. Bearjuice walked up and they fed him too! Bliss and I walked on and talked some more. We came upon a box in the woods with coolers in it but they were empty. Sometimes people from various groups or churches will put snacks and drinks in coolers and a sign for trail magic and it is free to hikers. No worries that it was empty, we will catch the next time. We walked about a qtr mile further and hit a field and what did we see? Trail magic bigtime! There were several tents and some tables and coolers. There was a group of former thru-hikers who were just hanging out there and waiting on going to trail days in Damascus. I had a bologna and cheese sandwich and a couple sodas. It was very good.I met Hemingway and Superman and got to talk with Wanderbus and Safety First. Clouds were looking pretty rough and a slight sprinkle was starting so I moved on to my final destination for the day. As I left I met Overhead who was a very tall German guy and Maintenance, a lady from Chicago who was just doing a section with her friend Dory, who I can't remember where she was from. I talked to Overhead for a bit and then hiked some with Maintenance. We hit the shelter and met a local guy who was there with his dog and just in the woods for a few days hunting mushrooms and ginseng. His dog was very cool, a blue tick coonhound. Got settled in the shelter and didn't have any mice issues so that was cool. I am ready for Damascus and then Roanoke for a visit. I have gotten ahead of my normal 'bubble' of people and I don't know anybody right now. It is cool to meet new faces , but I liked my group lol. It is raining a bit so I am glad I chose to shelter tonight and also happy there was room in the shelter. The German guy is freaking out because no one is hanging the food bags, it is sorta funny. Well sleep is calling and a big mile day is in store so I am out!