Date: 2003-04-28
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

"When a man is willing and eager - the gods join in."                           AeschylusThis is another entry by Margie/Molasses dad. Below is a copy of an E-mail message that her hiking buddy, Strider, sent to his friends and family. He writes about the simple pleasures of the trail and includes a paragraph about when Margie/Molasses acted as a trail angel. Simple Pleasures, 4/28/03, Ken Beach   Well I have been hiking the AT for about a month and a half and things are different for a thru-hiker. I get up in the morning when it gets light. The wheather is either bad, good, or in between. I eat, visit the privy or lack thereof, and I pack up. Then I start walking up to 6 to 8 hours just now. From time to time I get hungry, thirsty, or tired and sore. So I stop walking and take a break. Then I walk again. Somewhere between 3 and 5 I look for a shelter or tenting spot with water. I stop, cook my supper, do paper work, and get ready for bed. Then off to bed for another nights sleep and the start of the cycle again in the morning. Life is simple on the trail. All I have do is that and resupply at a hostel or town every few days.   So what of pleasure? Why do this? There are also simple pleasures. When one gets up in the morning it is simply grand to stand with your back to the sun and soak up the rays, especially after a cool night. The hike each day reveals unexpected delights, and sometimes delights happen at night as well. Lately as spring is evovlving I enjoy the flowers that are springing up everywhere with their bright hues. Two days ago I came across a wild azalea in orange. I never knew that azaleas were anything but red in the wild. Then Sunday morning abou 5:0AM the coyotes got howling right near the tent. After getting over the shock of all that noise, it was really neat to hear the range of sound they could make is surprising. I learned something about another creature. Then there is a good vista. The other day when we visited Max Patch Bald was such an occaision. The clouds were lowering but the view from the grassy summit was simply awesome. I snapped many pictures, and still think about Max Patch Bald.   But, the best things are "trail angels". These people do nice things for hikers or in one case a lost dog. After several days of eating dehydrated food, it is a very grateful thru-hiker who says yes at a road crossing in the woods to how about a burger and a coke, or a ride to town. I think the best example of a trail angel was performed by Molasses. At Muskrat Shelter Hazel a lost dog appeared. Hazel adopted Molasses and Molasses fed, kept warm and guided Hazel into Franklin, NC a distance of about 35 miles. Meanwhile Molasses fell in love with Hazel. Since Hazel had her name and phone # on her collar, Molasses called her owner from Franklin. When he heard where Hazel was he said he would be right over. A distance of about 35 miles. When Charles arrived and Hazel figured out who was there, you saw a truly happy dog. Her tail wagged so hard, I thought it would fall off, and she did all the doggie things of hi master. Molasses lost a love, but reunited one. And, at least 4 thru-hikers showed up to witness the reunion. And it was indeed pleasureable. But, Molasses was both sorry for her lost love and happy for Hazel and Charles.