Date: 2003-04-01
From: Cheese factory

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 0.0

note to anne,the numbered days are only for my info.helps me keep days straight as to what i have sent. start at cheese factory sitedestination Addis Gaptotal miles 7 milesI woke up early this morning excited that I had evidently slept through the night.My headband had slipped down over my eyes.I took my time stretching and marveling over how good I felt.Then I slipped up my headband and it was still dark outside!I groaned and felt for my light,I groaned again.It was 2:00 in the morning.I was wide awake and no place to go.Well,except for the tree that was calling my name.This was the coldest night that we have seen.I had put on my long handles,then my hiking pants,two pair of socks,and my puff jacket.It was no easy feat to get out of my bag and it's liner,then out into the cold to find a tree.One of the questions of life that I want to find the answer to is why at home,I can drink 2 glasses of tea,and a cup of hot chocolate and sleep through the night.Out here I have 6 ozs of powered milk and can't get through the night.Anyway,back to the tent,I found the radio and laid down listening to gospel music.It put me to sleep finally and it was after! 7:00 when I woke up again.The temperature was climbing steadily and the skies were clear.I pulled my tent flap down and was greeted by a tick peering in at me from the outside of my bug screen.I watched him for a second or two,thinking how long it must have taken him to climb that vertical screen in search of food.I remembered how tired I had been last night after climbing Rocky mtn.I thumped him off with a quick flick of my fingers,sending him into the woods.He would have to hunt elsewhere for an all you can eat buffet! I enticed Mudbutt out of her tent with a hot cup of coffee.She had put on all the clothes she had and was burrowed down in her bag.I walked down to the spring to filter some water for the morning meal.I had found some cream of wheat at the hostel in Neel's gap,so that is what I fixed for breakfast.Some dried fruit and a glas of milk finished my menu out.It seemed like the trail would never cease going up today.And for the first time my feet hurt.I had neglected to rub them down this morning.We stopped at Blue Mtn shelter for lunch.What a treat,a privey with a view! I saw a bluebird and a hawk,not much in the way of wild life.Our next water source was a steep climb down hill,but I was out so I made the climb.Mudbutt decided to wait until the next source which was at Addis Gap where we intended to stop.When we got there the water source was not as steep a climb,but it was .5 miles to it. There are six other through hikers here tonight,3 young testosterone filled young men,( sidewinder,boobles,parkway) could not tolerate a campfire ring with no fire in it, and an older guy (healer) who could not stand to be outdown by the younger guys so tonight we have a wonderful fire and the temperature is almost tolerable to sit out for a few minutes and enjoy it. I am in the process of being renamed as btg or bible toting granny.I seem to have a habit of encouraging people to clean up their mouth,and I start my mornings with the bible verse for the day from my electronic bible.There is lots of laughing and sharing trail stories.It makes a person forget about how hard the day's climb was or how bad your feet hurt Julia was having a problem with her hip and healer readjusted her as well as adresed boobles knee problem.Before he was through we had all had a wonderful adjustment.This was trail magic of the best kind.I bet we all sleep well tonight.Healer is from Iran and is so very interesting.Our fire is not only warming but heating as well.The temperatures are supposed to be on the increase over the next few days.