Date: 2018-05-15
From: Sherwood Dr

To: Cove Mt shelter
Miles today: 9.9

I had a great night of sleep and was ready to get going early. I met Ambassador and T-Bird in the lobby having breakfast but I opted for breakfast at the diner so I ran over there and enjoyed 2 eggs with corned beef hash, home fries and coffee. When I returned to the hotel I packed up my bag minus a few things to send home and filled up my water. I took my priority envelope to the manager at the front desk and they brought it to the post office for me and returned with the receipt. Extremely hiker friendly here. I ordered up an Uber to bring me back to Sherwood Dr so I could pick up where I left off. Thumper is going to meet me at Cove Mt shelter for the night. A 5 mile day for her and 10 for me. Matt was my Uber driver and my wait was 30 minutes. I was getting nervous, already an hour later than I wanted to leave. Matt was also hiker friendly and knew right where the trail head was so off we went. He dropped me off at the small parking area, I threw on my pack and crossed the street for the nobo trail. My goal originally was to stop at Darlington shelter for a break 3 miles in and then proceed on to Cove Mt shelter for a 10 mile day. Because I started late I passed by the Darlington shelter and it's Taj Mahal privy. I guess I'll never be able to confirm that it is. Severe T-storms were expected later this afternoon and evening. I wanted to be at the shelter by 2pm. I don't want a repeat of being unprotected on a ridge in a thunderstorm. But some lessons get repeated. The biting black flies were out today in full force and it was 82 and humid. I was sweating like crazy and really pushing through the miles to make my goal. The bugs chewed the back of my arms up and irritated me all morning. It really soured my mood. The trail is funny though, because it can suddenly change and it did. I found myself standing at the edge of a beautiful field with a nice breeze. I stood there for 5 minutes watching the tall grass waive with the wind. It was an amazing experience to just be in that moment enjoying that. From complete irritation to amazement. Totally changed my mood for a while. I continued on and crossed the road but the bugs were still relentless as I entered another field. I sat in the grass at the edge of the trail and had a snack and some water, thinking about getting out my head net. A few nobo hikers passed me and a section hiker sobo stopped to say hello. When I resumed hiking the trail followed the tree line at the edge of the field and I regretted not taking out my net. I was almost across the next open field when a man yelled "Trail magic" from my left. I noticed the small handwritten sign in front of me and followed a warn path in the grass to a small parking lot with a red pickup truck and man in his 60's. There was a cooler on the open tailgate and a bag next to it with candy bars. I grabbed a Dr Pepper and 2 fun size almond snickers, crossed the lot and sat on a log in the shade at the opposite side of the lot. There were now 3 hikers sitting in the shade next to the truck conversing with the gentleman. I wanted to but I couldn't which is why I crossed to the other side of the lot. I get so emotional about things like this. I can't explain it. I could barely choke out thank you while holding back the tears. I don't know if it's the fact that to a total stranger I am a significant person. My wellfare and happiness matter to him. It's just overwhelming to me. As I disposed of my trash he encouraged me to take more and take it with me. I grabbed a propel because I needed the electrolytes, thanked him and headed out of the parking lot and across the road to the trail. I dawned my bug net and entered the woods. The birds were singing a little sweeter this afternoon. I found the bug net a bit warm and removed it after 10 minutes. I'll have to get some bug spray in town. I had 2 big 1 mile climbs today and I'd already done 1. The 2nd was before me and I felt myself running out of steam despite the sugary snacks but I pushed myself. In front of that a nice open view at the power lines where I stopped briefly for a couple of photos. 2.6 miles left to go. As soon as I stepped into the woods I heard the warning grumble of the predicted T-storms. It was well after 2pm. I began to hustle. I didn't want a repeat of the scene 2 days ago up on the ridge. The grumbling got louder and I walked faster. A rock scramble.... perfect. This one was tougher and in a few sections I threw my poles down the rocks in front of me turned around and scrambled down holding boulders and trees. Once on the other side the wind began to pick up. I'm thankful that it blows away the bugs but I know what it means. The rain starts lightly and I just focus on the trail though over my left shoulder to the west I can see the dark sky. I made it to shelter just as the hail started. Thumper was there waiting for me and under the safety of shelter we watched the storm, ate dinner, cleaned up, put our bags in the bear box and crawled into bed.