Date: 2017-09-21
From: Jenkins Shelter 

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Twenty miles is still twenty miles, and an initial climb of 1700 feet is still no small task. But by noon we¢d reached a fully-enclosed stone shelter that Franky fondly recalled from last year. It was in an oh-so-rare open field, with the rarer-still great view in a sky brimming with building thundercaps. And there was Franky sunning himself.Water remains a challenge. More than half the sources in the Guide are dry and it¢s hard to tell which ones you can trust. I know, I know, on the PCT having 8- to 12-mile stretches without water would be absolutely nothing to write about or whine over, but it¢s the uncertainty that¢s unsettling. I¢ve taken to loading up with two liters often, a mighty unusual load for me on this trail.We hovered up high, at 4,000 feet for nearly ten miles and then jumped to nearly 4,500. I took advantage of a time when I had cell coverage, and the result was a trail of tears. Mine.Back in the other world this is an important day. It¢s Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and our temple choir is missing one of its basses ¢ me. I¢ve sung in the choir for over 25 years. There are moments when our 35 voices join as movingly as that sunrise from Riga Shelter back in July, as beautifully as the mighty views from Katahdin last June. (Frodo: In many ways, Barney [Scout] is the soul of the choir. He always has a great attitude and is very upbeat and the basses are often laughing when they should be paying attention. He leads the basses in some stunt just before the start of evening Rosh Hashanah services ¢ wearing Groucho Marx masks, or hulas skirts and leis, or as Elvis look-alikes. When he missed Rosh Hashanah two years ago as he hiked the CDT, the whole choir did a stunt ¢ they wore Barney masks! Of course, they sent him photos and made him cry!)Our temple has recently begun a live internet feed of services over the web. I pulled it up on my phone. Oh, my gosh, there was the choir singing. I joined in the bass part out loud. I could see the choir. But no, it¢s only the sopranos and tenors, the altos and Frodo were out of view, as were my basses. I tried a long shot. I am good friends with Jesse, our AV Tech. I texted him. Could he pan the camera so I could see Frodo? From the booth overlooking the well-dressed crowd in their suits and ties and dresses, Jesse got it. He texted me back and next thing I know, three time zones away there in her white robe was my Frodo. There were my basses in the row behind her. I raised my voice and sang along. And tears streamed down my face to be a part of them from so far away.I texted Jesse to tell her that I¢d seen and I¢d heard her. Then to conserve power I had to shut it off. And soon enough I dropped off the ridge and lost my connection.  There were some great views from up high.  http://www.trailjournals.com/j...Tomorrow I have 15 miles before the small town of Atkins where I will re-supply and grab a night¢s sleep in a motel.May it be a good, sweet, fulfilling, and rich year for each one of you and for all of yours.(Frodo: He didn¢t see it until he had wi-fi the next day, but the Rabbi gave him a shout-out sometime after Scout stopped watching. Here¢s what he said: ¢I also want to give a shout-out to Barney Mann. Hi, Barney. Barney is¢¦.. is crazy. [Lots of laughs from the congregation] Barney is on the Appalachian Trail. And this is his third amazing trail hike, right, Barney? He did the Pacific Crest Trail, he did the Continental Divide, and now he¢s on the Appalachian Trail. He¢s been out there for months and he¢s going to be back with us in October. He¢s usually sitting here with our choir. Sandy his wife told me that he¢s watching, so Barney, a shout-out to you; you¢re with us in spirit.¢