Date: 2003-05-02
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

start Hot Springs/Allen Gapdestination Jerry Cabin ShelterToday was another of those crazy days for me. I bought a brand new pair of hiking poles from another hiker for Jerry, so I had to wrap them and get them mailed off before I left town. I have lost one hiking partner to a broken foot and now I have lost another hiking partner to a broken heart. Yesterday when Pushing UpDaisies went to help Maledrop get his car and return the rental car he had, she left her very expensive camera in the rental car. Of course, when she called the rental agency, there was no camera found, just some clothes. At least that is what the agent said. They are going back to Ashville to check the car again. She says she can't bear to be on the trail without her camera. Well, it really isn't so much the loss of the camera as it is the several hundred pictures that was on the memory card. We are both in tears as we say goodby at Allen Gap. I hug Maledrop again really fast and walk away. I tell PushingUpDaisies I will be praying for her to find the camera. She says if she doesn't find it, she will go back home to work for awhile and get another camera, then come back on the trail. I make great time the first 5 miles. I am trying something different in an effort to help my knees. I will see if it works between here and Erwin, Tenn. I am not using my poles on the assents, but only use them on the decents. I heard this is supposed to further strenthen the muscles on the sides of the knees. We shall see. Just after noon I stop to refill my water. The sky is black and ominous again. Sure enough, as soon as I get my pack cover on and my rain gear, the rain starts, then the hail. Plenty of lightning and thunder, AGAIN! This rain gear is about as worthless as the last set I had. The storm gives me plenty of energy to hike fast and I hoof it along the trail, getting wetter by the minute. There must be something I am not understanding about rain gear. I thought it was supposed to keep you dry. As I come out along a ridge, I stop on the side of the trail and sit down to wait until the storm passes. Another hiker, Mover, joins me under the rhoodendren bushes. There is some fierce winds blowing. It is not too long before it moves along. I begin to hike again, the trail is now a running stream, the roots and rocks are slippery and wet. I have to watch every step I take. Even then, I slide to my knee once and rip a hole in my new worthless rain gear! So much for sending them back now. It seems like the last five miles goes on forever. I finally reach the shelter and quickly set up my tent. I do not think it will rain any more but what do I know? Lunch/dinner is turkey romanoff, a candy bar and some gatorade. I finish with a hot cup of cappachino. I know I will be up all night, but I am cold and wet and desperate for a caffiene fix.If I hike a long day tomorrow, I can be in Erwin, Tn. then be able to go to church there for Sunday. It would mean hiking 17 miles to Sam's Gap where I would get out. I will see how I feel in the morning.I climb into my tent to write my journal. It is not too long before I smell wood burning, and Loser and Gazelle calling me to come join them by the fire. I still have a tendency to shut myself away in my tent if I do not know any of the hikers. This is something else I want to work on while I am out here. To not be hesitant to join in around the campfires at night. Even though I already have my longjohns on, I grab my jacket and join them. It is not too long before Loser pulls out his guitar and begins to sing. He is a Christian, and sings contemporary songs. They are songs of redemption, salvation and God's grace. He sings one of my favorite sings, "My God is an Awesome God",then he sings the old Baptist Hymn "The Solid Rock". It is another magical evening. I enjoy finding other Christians to be with. I just need to be sure to share my Jesus with those who do not know him. total miles 11.6