Date: 2015-08-13
From: stealth site some where on Baker Peak

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

I was so hungry when I got up today! I ate a tuna burrito for breakfast. I am banning tuna for life when I get home. Blech. It stormed all night and my tent was wet- my stuff was damp-but I was dry. So thats good! I didn't know how far past the gang I hiked last night, but it was probably a half mile or a little less.I packed up my tent wet- it was still cloudy and cold so no chance of drying it out before the hiking started. I was on the trail by 6:45 and by 7 I was standing on the summit of Baker Peak. Wow. It was a trail of big rocks that snaked right up the mountain. I got to the top and stopped for a sip of water, I still had not really looked up because I was so intent on watching my feet- then I turned around and looked. The view behind me was a painting. Colors and textures, mountains clouds trees and sky. So crisp and the lighting in the morning always enhances the drama. I walked down the other side and at the bottom a sign facing north said BAD WEATHER TRAIL. Stupid me- I though another climb was coming so I thought I would take that trail. I started down it and realized before I went too far that it was the bad weather trail for what I just did. Thats what I get!I passed Lost pond Shelter and popped in to wait for my pals. I saw Toes and 4B there, as well as a few Long Trail Hikers. I have leapfrogged with Toes and 4B for a while and it is always fun to see the, Toes is a super fast and strong hiker so I am always surprised to see him. Usually it means he has taken a day or two off! I waited a while then I hiked out. I left a note at the Big Branch Shelter with the time and told the guys I would be drying my tent and waiting in the first patch of sun I could find.At Danby-Landgrove Road, I found that sun. And an apple tree. I hung my tent on a big AT sign and was munching happily on many little apples when an beautiful woman in a cool car pulled up. She put her window down, looked at me for a second, then said "Do you like cookies?" My face must have lit up like neon sign because she smiled and got out and popped the trunk. Just the, C.Shell came gliding out of the woods (she actually glides) and the woman gave us both cookies.The she says..."Do you like beer?" C.Shell is such a nice wife. She got beers for herself and D.No, and she didnt even chug his beer before he got there. And I believe she might have evenm been guarding from me.She got those treats for Tedzilla too. Tennyson was the woman's name, and this was her first time trail-angeling. She was there to provide treats to her friends who were hiking the long trail. She had elaborate plans to create a shower fro them h=behind her car in the next parking lot down.We all hiked out- and I saw Tennyson setting up that shower. It was quite ingenious, and I stopped to help her arrange the tarp. What a sweet friend she is! I am dying to know how that shower turned out-so if anyone knows, message me!We hiked on, it was a perfect hiking day the trail was beautiful. I feel as good right now as I have ever felt on this trip. Maybe even better. My feet are feeling good!We passed a couple of areas with amazing rock cairn gardens. Theya re so amazing. At the second one, I met Pockets- No Spring Chicken's brother, and the guy he is hiking with right now- Tonreg. That is his name, spelled backwards. He is German, a retired chef, and does not speak English! D.No lost his phone somewhere and he hiked a couple of miles back to find it. He did find it, but ca,e back bloody from a fight with a bush. C. Shell and I waited at the second cairn garden for him.We finshed our hike at Minerva Hinchey Shelter. Tonreg cooked his tortillas on teh grate over the fire which inspired us to do the same. We enjoyed the company of Pockets, 4B, Tedzilla and a couple of young section hikers.I miss my family tonight. It is getting harder to be away from them but I am so close now!