Date: 2019-06-24
From: Peters Mtn Shelter

To: Yelow Springs Campsite
Miles today: 13.5

TA 2,229 TD 2,048 TG 305, which means there was a lot of ups and downs on the trail. Hard of feetHiked by myself, often feeling like I am the only one in the forest/woods. Given 30 minutes however, someone passes you. There is the general 1 minute conversation. "Hey. How are you doing today?" You already know from clues that they are either a thru-hiker or a day-hiker. You can also tell if they are new to the trail or have already hiked over 1,000 miles. "What's your trail name? Where are you going today?" "Happy trails" is the established code for 'good day'. You catch their energy and hike a little faster for a while, then resume your usual pace. Peace. Carrying enough water to get me to the next spring on the map Springs running red; lots of iron in these mountains. No problem, just a little extra for the diet. Feet hot from the down course. Stopped to take off shoes, wet feet in spring, powder them and put on wet socks again. Saw mountain laurel at end of their bloom, one rhododendron near-bloom! and a wild rose. I could always smell the rose before I see it. Saw 2 chipmunks and a rabbit scamper across the path. Besides the rocks and mud, the path is clear and I feel comfortable with hiking sticks as they grace the side of the trail and can protect me from any snake in the side path. It is quiet, no rain, no wind. I hear birds, and I heard a leaf fall. Really. And, I heard 2 distinct clicks and then a rattle and picked up my pace down the path. Sounded like a rattle snake to me. Click click goes my hiking sticks. I expected to be tired today from hiking 12-14 mi/day for the past 3 days. Planned to stay at a primitive campsite; no water, no privy. No problem. You pick up water at the previous stream, enough for the night and your hike out. Next shelter, 5 miles away, too far when you are hiking tired. This campsite is reported to be haunted by a Native American who family was violently killed. No problem, my plan is always one of peace. Came into the primitive campsite. There way a gentleman there, hammock half set up, camp fire going!. "Hey, how are you doing today?" I ask.  I already know that something is not 'usual', whatever usual is on the AT. "What's your trail name?" No trail name. I'll call him 'Just Em'.  "Where are you going?" No going anywhere. Flip flopping on the trail means back and forth from place to place, North to South, town to trail, trail to town. Generally a term understood as 'homeless' "I have never had a campfire going when I came into camp, this is nice" I said. He was pleasant enough. No different then most, but definitely not the fast and furious. More like quietly disturbed. He was oddly familiar. There was no cell service, but I did take pictures and texted Steve, even though there was no cell service and he doesn't read text in any timely manner.  After 30 minutes Strider and Buck with Mr. White, his 4 legged companion, arrived to camp.  They plan of staying!  They set up their tents and we all sat around the camp fire while they smoked their smoke. Young Buck is hilarious!  And, Mr. White is tender and non-judgemental. We all talked, swapped lies and laughed. We were later joined by Circuit Rider, the hiker whose ministry is the AT. Circuit Rider was gentle in his questions to Just Em. He addressed him by name and chatted with him a while, while I went to my fortified hammock--bear spray, Garmon SOS, pocket knife, whistle, phone, and thoughts of peace in this haunted site.  I prayed for the Native Americans who knew this place as home and the homeless man who doesn't recognize it.