Date: 2009-05-02
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

It was nice to be hiking on my own again ¢ even though I knew that I would reunite with Pilgrim & Ninja within the next day or so. There is definitely a sense of freedom that comes along with hiking your own hike and going at a pace that is good for you without having to worry about meeting up somewhere or going further than you had intended or wished. I passed Recom and Moonlight early on and discussed that since Moonlight had his rain cover on that it was definitely not going to rain. But two miles into the mostly downhill 3,500 decline, the downpours started again. I had to quickly readjust and pull out my rain cover and rain jacket. Most of the way down, I was going through many different songs in my head, bellowing them out loud, while still managing to peacefully enjoy the light raindrops bouncing off my head. Looking out from several vista points, I loved seeing the green valley below with the whispy clouds interspersed amongst the mountain peaks. After crossing the one stream/river several times, I came to a stretch that had the first sign of civilization: three huge power lines that stretched across the open mountainside. Descending a little bit further and I came across a beautiful waterfall with a green background of pure nature. Exiting the park was not as built up as entering the park. As soon as I found the first street down below, I had to follow the white blazes (what we all follow out on the trail) across a bridge with the Pigeon River raging with water below. I turned the corner and soon realized that I was about to cross underneath the largest road in the country ¢ I-40, which stretches 2,900 miles from Barstow, California to Wilmington, North Carolina. Following the white blazes, I climbed some stone steps, turned the corner and saw a guy hanging out underneath a huge rock. At first, I thought that it was some homeless person just out on the trail, but as I approached closer, I realized that it was ¢Grizz¢ ¢ a really nice guy, but one who is somewhat addicted to pot. Just as I turned the corner, he started singing at the top of his lungs and, as expected, was completely high. When I said hello, I interrupted the belting of his song, and he was so frightened that he nearly crapped his pants. It was actually really funny looking back on it. We talked for a short while and had to decline the offering of the joint. It really surprises me how much people smoke out here on the trail ¢ whether it be pot or cigarettes. What surprises me even more is that most of these people are actually able to log big miles each day. Somehow their lungs manage to hold up just right. I pushed on and found the road to take me up to Standing Bear Farm Hostel, where I found Pilgrim and Ninja. They both pushed on the night before ¢ a whopping 23.3 mile hike. The only problem is that Pilgrim exacerbated the condition of his foot and is faced with taking a zero day today. I hope that he can push on without too much discomfort. Pilgrim was also reunited with his dog again, making him (and all of us) a happy camper. Standing Bear Hostel is a great resting spot and all purchased food and lodging is on an honor code, which I respect very much. Curtis, the owner of the hostel, is a little bit off his rocker, but he means very well and is willing to help out in any way possible. It is very rustic conditions and we are living in barn-style lodging. We still have to pee in the woods and do a #2 in a privy, which is located close by. All heating and electricity (or lack thereof) comes from a large propane tank sitting on the edge of the property. I enjoyed the large part of the afternoon, sitting out on the porch, strumming ¢String¢s¢ small and lightweight guitar that he brought along for his AT thru-hike. Pilgrim and I just headed off to explore the various barns spread throughout the property. It was very open and fresh ¢ simple living is good. For the one barn that we came across, Pilgrim kept saying how it looked like it was just out of a horror movie and that he was sure that someone had been killed there. Maybe so. We will be pushing on tomorrow, taking a nero day in Hot Springs to enjoy the thermals on Tuesday and then hanging out in Asheville for the day on Wednesday.