Date: 2013-05-01
From: Hardcore Cascades

To: Dennis Cove Rd., Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 9.0

I slipped and wiggled along the floor of my tent, but other than that I slept okay. The mouse seemed to give up about the same time as me. I wondered later if somehow I was blocking the entry to his/her den and maybe he/she was just trying to get to bed, too. Either way, it found somewhere else to sleep other than in/on my tent. I got up around 7, and went through my morning routine. I didn't set off until 8:30. I really need to speed things up a bit. Either way, it was a quiet day on the trail. It was a quiet day in the woods. They were so silent when I started. There was no wind, no movement. Even the birds seemed to be far away. I only passed four other hikers; two going my way, two going the opposite way. Finally, I have my space. I stopped in a meadow for a late snack and a foot check. There's spot on my left heel that starting to flare. I realize that it probably has more to do with dirty, sweaty socks than anything else. The dirt and sweat collect and form more of a sandpaper. I put some moleskin on my heel, but I'll have to see about getting an extra pair. Since the NOC, I've been wearing two pairs of socks; a thin "toe" sock and then another pair of socks on the outside. I have two pairs of outside socks, but only one pair of "toe" socks. Either way, I don't want blisters.The meadow as so pretty that I decided to have my snack and eat a light lunch. I'm making a short day of it, so I might as well get the calories in early so I can walk them off. I was walking along, and I thought I heard squirrels barking. I stopped to listen closer. No, that was the sound of hammering. It was the sound of several hammers. There were places along the trail that were in the early stages of being rerouted. So super steep parts are soon to enjoy long switchbacks. But right now, someone was hammering on rocks. As I got closer, I came upon two teams of trail maintenance workers chiseling away at sections of rocks. I said hello and chatted for a bit. I got to be one of the first people to walk across one of the new ridge-hanging bridges. I felt honored. Great work, guys! Thank you I came down into a meadow and saw an old barn set in amongst some flowering trees. I stopped to take a picture. I stepped closer, within a few feet and took another picture. Something caught my eye about 3 feet off the ground on one of the wooden slates. I looked closer and then jumped back. It was a big, long shiny black snake. It was at least 4 ft long. It was curled back on itself, like a ribbon. Basking in the sun. It gave me the willies. I don't like snakes in the least. I looked all around me to be sure it didn't have any buddies hanging around. I got out of there. I stopped briefly at the nearby pond, but it looked stagnant, and I was sure it, too, was full of snakes. I was ready to go. I hit the road and turned right towards the Black Bear Resort. I walked up the road passed several houses. They all had signs that read: KEEP OUT! I wondered if they were directly at hikers specifically or at the population in general. One house even had a sign that read: Beware of Dogs and Killer Rabbits. I stopped to take a picture of a flag pole with a tattered shredded flag hanging from it. A truck pulled up behind. The driver asked if I was headed to the Black Bear. I said, yes. She told me to hop in. I crawled in the back up of the pick-up and off we went. It was quiet when I arrived. Ahhhhh.... Only a few more customers came. I enjoyed a few Guinnesses and a Gatorade. I washed my clothes and took a shower. The power went off for a while. I ate and visited. Hopefully I won't be battling any mice or snakes tonight. Just a comfy bed and the sound of the river moving along.