Date: 2018-04-27
From: Wise Shelter

To: Bobby Trail Campsite
Miles today: 17.6

DAY 52We may have stayed mostly dry last night, but it wasn't a great night. As soon as we climbed into our bags a mouse was chewing something right over our heads where we had our stuff hanging. I shone my light in the general direction, but couldn't really see him on our stuff so we rolled over and tried to get some sleep. Soon after an animal, either a mouse or squirrel climbed into one of the hikers backpacks that was open and sitting just under the overhang. It must have climbed in and couldn't get out, but kept jumping up and scratching the side of the bag trying to get out. Only Mary, myself, and the guy next to me must have heard it because after a few minutes I heard him say "Is anyone else concerned about that noise"? We roused the owner of the pack to tell him that something was in his pack. His response was "I don't have anything in my pack". My response was "yes you do, an animal". To lazy, or not concerned, he replied "Somebody just knock my pack over". The guy next to me tried to push it over with his outstretched pillow, but couldn't get it to topple over. Finally, I couldn't take it any longer and from my bag I reached my trekking pole and whacked his pack over into the mud and filth. I figured if he wasn't concerned, I wasn't either!We finally got some sleep, but it reminds me why I don't like shelters. We were one of the first ones awake and going in the morning. (Couldn't have tea or breakfast at the table as the late arrival was still sleeping on the picnic table). The trail was very wet and had horrible footing. Foggy this morning as we hiked out of the highlands. I realized what I thought was some trail debris in my sock bothering my heal yesterday was actually my shoes I had sent to me irritating my heels. As we made it to a campground at the road crossing we decided to eat lunch at the picnic tables. The sun was now peeking through, and it was warming up so we stopped to soak our feet at a stream before we climbed up to Comers Creek Cascade.It was getting late, but we wanted to get as far as we could so we could make the 2:00 shuttle into Marion tomorrow. At Dickey Gap we were tired and decided to eat dinner before heading up the hill. Shortly after starting up from Dickey Gap, out of the corner of my eye I spied a bear charging downhill on a dead run away from us. We must have startled it when we were talking. That lifted our spirits to see the first bear of the hike! Within minutes we came upon Papa Dale & Kingsman camped at a small trailside site. We told them about seeing the bear, and they seemed very interested about what way it was travelling. We pushed on another mile or so to a campsite .3 off the trail. We were pleased to find it had a privy, picnic table, and was right next to a spring. It looked like it was seldom used, but we found a good site and quickly set up. The bad thing about it was I fell into the spring when the log I was standing on broke while gathering water. I managed to soak my shoes and socks. The last thing I did tonight was to remove the tape I put on my right heel to prevent a blister from the shoe irritation. As I pulled it off it was very sore as I peeled back the edges of the tape. When I got to where the irritation was it really hurt, so I decided the way to do it was just pull it fast in one fell swoop. Wrong! When I did this, I managed to rip off a hunk of skin. Well boy did it bleed. Mary and I scrounged around for something to mop up the blood without getting it all over my sleeping bag and the tent. I managed to get it bandaged, but now I have a 1/2 inch round raw section on my heel right where my shoe hits. Closer inspection of my shoes show I've worn a hole in the lining on both heels, so now there is a rough edge that irritated my heels. I've taped the holes, so hopefully this will help. Unfortunately, there are no real outfitters until Daleville, so I have to deal with it as best I can.