Date: 2003-06-11
From: Marble Springs Tentsite

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's been one of those good day/bad day kind of days. I checked my messages from Tracy; she and her family willl head down here Saturday, which is good news. Now looking forward to their visit will keep me going! I had been thinking about indulging myself and spending $25 to stay Friday night at the Dutch Haus. I need to decide if that's what I want to do because it would mean eliminating all or most of my hiking on Saturday due to visits with the family. I guess it will depend on how I feel when I get there. On to more good news: I helped another hiker feel better when he was having a low, down-in-the-dumps day. Flip-Flop rolled in to camp yesterday after a 30 miler but I didn't meet him then (I was trying to avoid being eaten alive by the little knats and blackflies that were everywhere- so I bunked down early in my tent). But I did meet him this morning on my way to Matt's Creek Shelter. He was saying how he was having a tough day on the trail - questioning staying on - and that his stomach had been bothering him since the day before. On top of that, he was eaten alive by mosquitos all night beneath his tarp, and he's constantly faced with other hikers' judgements on him, like "you're missing everything" (his goal is to finish the trail in three months), or other comments meant to boost their own esteem, while breaking his down. When I heard all that and that he was seriously contemplating getting off the trail, I was bummed. Of course, he needs to do what's right for him and that's what I told him. I left it at that. I didn't do the "you'll regret it if you do get off" crap and I didn't do the "it will be here later" stuff because, ultimately he'll do what is best for him. When we got to the Matt's Creek Shelter he sat down, took his shoes off, took up some reading material and started relaxing, when another hiker started asking snyde comments about his pace, mileage, etc. He just looked at me with the "see, you know how they can be" look, and I knew that this wouldn't be the first or last of those comments for the day. I imagine he is in a tough spot. I left the shelter before him. I walk slower and had a lot of distance to cover today. On my hike towards the James River I decided that I had something for him. I walked about a mile or so ahead of him and left him a mint teabag, honey and a packet of sugar with this note: "For Flip Flop - Mint tea will help settle an upset stomach. Honey (to sweeten your tea) for energy. I hope you feel better (mind and body) soon." I guess that may have helped a little to restore some of his faith in the trail - and other hikers. He caught up to me just before the James River Bridge and told me that he did drink the tea and already felt some better. I hope he's able to make a full mental recovery, because he's a great person. I hiked on after Flip Flop had headed in to town. I had lunch at a shelter where I met Virginia Creeper (he's from southern VA, hiking north to Harper's Ferry on the AT, where he'll hop off and walk the C&O Canal path to DC where he'll meet his sister) and talked some with Millepede. I left lunch late because I was making such good time hiking so far (10 miles before 1!). So I lounged until 2. THe climb out was tough and my stomach was cramping so I had to stop twice on the way up and lay down on my pack. Ugh, it took at least two hours before I felt any better. (I had felt like that this morning, too, after breakfast).At lunch Virginia Creeper said we could expect thunderstorms for the next seven days. I made a joke that as long as they happened after I got to camp, I'd be alright with it. Well, that joke isn't funny any more. About four miles in to the last 8 of my day I heard the rumbbling of thunder. I hiked on because it was distant and beacause I needed to get off the top of the mountain and was in a gap. One was coming up. When I had descended pretty far, I kept my eyes peeled for a place I could set up my tent. If, instead of using a hiking pole, I used a small tree, I wouldn't be as much of a lightening rod. I saw the perfect spot. I contemplated it for a long time - whether I should stop now, get my tent set up and wait out the rain storm. I deliberated for at least 10 or 15 minutes before deciding to move on. I hiked further to another spot, now the thunder was loud and the drizzle was turning to rain. Another good spot to take advantage of my idea to construct my tent and wait out the rain. I decided to assemble my tent here...and snapped my rear tent pole! So, that idea went out the window just as quickly as it came in. I packed my tent back up and trucked on. Not five minutes later, I'm in a torrential downpour. Then the sun came out for a bit, my clothes dried some while I walked. Then as I began my ascent of Bluff Mountain the storm that had just been a summer thunderstorm, took on lightening! So, I hustled up and kept reminding myself of what IB had told Jay once in a similar situation: "God takes care of little children and stupid people." So that gave me the confidence to push on. Fear made me twice as fast. up and up. That last three miles to the Punchbowl Shelter took forever, but at last I arrived, safe, and very thankful for the last remaining spot in the shelter. Punchbowl Shelter has big spring fed pond beside it...the area is full of frong sounds- chirping, burping, yapping, gurgling...it's constant and soothing.