Date: 2013-06-01
From: Dismal Creek campsite

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Thanks so much to Denny and Pam for the box we received (more details below).Got up earlier than usual to beat the heat so we were on the trail at 7:00. Crossed many footbridges over streams in the first 4 miles and then climbed a pretty steep 1500 feet. On top, the smell of fragrant flowers overcame even our sweaty hiker smell. The trail turned rocky. Now that would be fine if walking at a state park with your family on a Sunday afternoon but mile after mile in every state on the AT it's tedious and painful. Crossed through an area of controlled burn which they had done a few weeks ago. The smell of charred wood was still there and no new growth yet. Made it the 9.5 miles to the turnoff for Woods Hole Hostel and then hiked down another half mile to get to the hostel.First thing, as usual, we grabbed something to drink (Side was in his glory - yes by now you all can guess - they had mountain dew) and these amazing oatmeal chocolate chip bars. Choices here were to stay in the hostel, camp out back or stay in an inside room. We had reserved an inside room. Placed our things in our room and went out to the porch to chill. Showered, gathered our clothes together to be washed for us (always nice), and then Side ordered us a smoothie with fresh banana, strawberries and homemade Amish chocolate ice cream served up in a quart mason jar. Delicious - one is in plan for tomorrow also as we are zeroing here. Lounged on the porch for quite a while laughing and telling stories with other hikers. Blockade Runner and High Tide are camping here.Then the postman drives in and someone yells that there's a box for Side. Okay, now the story about this box that turns out is from Denny and Pam. Before we began our hike we had identified some maildrops. Because plans changed and we didn't stay at our previous maildrop location, we lost track of the fact that it was a maildrop. Finally we realized and called to make sure there were no boxes there and found out that yes there was a box there but by this time we were way past that spot and when you're walking you lose a little bit of ability to do anything about it. Well after many days and multiple calls, the box finally caught up with us this afternoon. We are very grateful for the freeze dried food and we needed to resupply at this spot so the delayed timing turned out perfect. That was so sweet of you guys. And your choices were perfect. Many thanks. We should be zooming uphill.We also had our box of summer clothes and lighter sleeping bags waiting for us here. And ooh lala some cookies in the bottom. Thanks so much to Bek and Zac for doing that for us.We had an unexpected storm this afternoon so we were glad we weren't camping. This hostel offers a dinner and breakfast if you choose. It's a communal event where you participate in the prep and/or cleanup. Miles and High Tide volunteered to help with prep (thinking the hubbies could help with cleanup) and were assigned washing and chopping lettuce and doing all the prep dishes. Well that backfired. There were 19 of us all together for dinner. Fun time and our hostess is just such a sweet thing. She gathered lettuces from the garden for the salad. The salad dressings were all made from scratch. The burgers were made with their own butchered beef. The breads and rolls were all fresh baked. All the pickles and relishes were canned here. Quite an enterprise. After the meal amid noise from talking, Miles thought she was raising her hand for ice cream when they were actually looking for kitchen help again and she got picked. Oh brother. Enough already with the dishes. It was fun though with so many people zipping around the kitchen at once and we made short order of things.