Date: 2004-05-05
From: lost mountain shelter

To: baptist hostel
Miles today: 33.4

HOLY POOP! I hiked 33 miles today. I'm in mild shock and an extreme state of deliruim. I just took a shower and applied Gold Bond... my nether regions are tingling-hehehe. I have never smelled as bad as wehen I finished today, one hiker "cotton" admitted he was hiking past me to avoid my hiker stench... haha!!This morning my plan of hiking at Midnight failed. I did awake by 5 though, stealthily packed up, and was on the trail by 5:40. My goal: Catch Krispy! For my first 12 miles I passed only 1 person. I hiked over Whitetop Mountain, the 2nd highest mountain in Virginia, as the sun rose. It was a big climb and the cold weather was actually nice. It was gorgeous! Green surrounded the trail as far as I coudl see and there were flowers everywhere. I saw Columbine for the first time, an intricate orange flower, as well as Vassey's Trillium, Phacelia, Bluets, Violets and Anenone. Phacelia was in particular abundance and is a pretty little white flower with lacy fringes. In addition to the flowers and greenery, massive boulders lined both sides of the trail. I was lost in wonder by the time I reached the top of Whitetop where I saw a white tail deer only 20 feet away.My first 6 miles had passed easily and it was only about 8am. From there I headed to Mt. Rogers, the higest mountain in Va. Mt Rogers and Whitetop are covered in Pines in some regions, but are bald meadows in other. I walked across Mt. Rogers lost in the shade of the pines praying and singing. Mt. Rogers and Whitetop are home to a blue and black salamander that only lives on those 2 Mts. By 10:40 I had covered 12 miles in 5 hours and seen 2 deer. Below is a poem:The Great And Mighty PineHiking through fields of flowers, sweetness of ColumbineTraversing under forests of The Great and Mighty PinePast Boulders towering and meadows wide and clearBrooks babble by my feet near the grazing deerI push on slowly through the misty break of dayThe birds calling to each others saying what they sayThe mountain lined with splendor as Trillium awakeThe spring is over flowing into a lovely little lakeAnd I am lost in wonder, near the deep as tue woodHe would be tempting to remain forever if I only couldSuch a sweet escape, living out a dream that's mineAnd for such adventure the great and mighty pine.During my break at Thomas Knob shelter (12 miles) I jotted down this poem above. I also used a solar-powered privy (woohoo). It was simply nice in my mind not to have to poop in the woods, I even used toilet paper (There goes the mood of the poem... oh well). The next 5 miles went over a rocky crest caled the Wilburn Range. I saw wild ponies (10 feet away) walked through a rodedeadron ticket and hopped over the rocks. After 14 miles of solitude I was scared half out of his mind when a girl darted across the trail... She was out with her boyfriend and once I recovered from my shock and took their picture. The final 3 miles to Wise Shelter went through Grayson Highlands State Park (this park is famous for its ponies). I saw families flying kites (I love kids) and I said hello as I went by. They looked at me like I was crazy. By 12:40 I arrived at the shelter. Half of my day was done.I took a 35 minute lunch break where I saw "Cotton", "Sox" and "Grizzly". This is the first time I have seen Grizzly since my 8th day on the trail. On that day Grizzly sang "Bobby McGee" to me. To say Grizzly is eccentric is an understatement. Grizzly Dave is a 68 year old ex-running back from U. Iowa, ex state-senator (Iowa), ex sane person. I jest, Grizzly is nice but particular about how he wants things. He expects all hikers to yell from 50 yards back before passing him. This is a rule he invented, yet he claims is "well known trail courtesy". Grizzly can be demanding, but he has no beef with me, nor I with him. So I watch from afar adn try not to giggle too much as I watch. He nearly took off "Cotton's" head with his big stick for not warning him before passing. The funny part is that coton did warn him but he did not hear the warning. In addition Grizzly curses at "roots that trip him" and won't hitchike, plus he's about 6ft4. AHH! I love the trail.I hiked like a madman for the 6 miles from Wise Shelter to Orchard Shelter. By the time I reached Orchard my face was beat red and I reeked (according to Cotton). At Orchard I was beat! I took a 30 minute break from 3:15 to 3:45 and ate 2 Mounds bars. I had covered 23 miles and knew I needed to cover 11ish more miles; none the less I pushed on.I decided to pretend my feet and knees felt good as I continued (they didnt). I was completely zoning but hiking like a mother up and over Iron Mountain. There were less flowers and scenery and I'm not sure if I would have noticed them anyway. I hiked faster than I ever have uphill, and I covered 4.5 miles in 90 minutes. Then for the next 2 miles which were downhill and easy I zoomed even more (in terms of actual hiking) and I prayed and sang to God. When I was done praying I practically fell asleep. I stopped at a Spring to get water at 5:40 and I prayed for God to help me. I took a 15 minute break before begining again knowing I was done almost 30 miles with only 4 left. As I started a second wind came over me and I started flying. I finished the last 4 miles in just over and hour and passed "Cotton" again (he hiked 22 today). God totaly answered my "help" prayer again. We waited from 7:15 to 7:30 and then received a hitch-hike to town. We arrived at Troutville Trading Post 8 minutes before clsoing in time for dinner .I had not eaten in 11 miles and was starving as we arrived aching and reeking. The only thing more amazing to me than my appetite is my putrescent smell. Cotton and I split "poppers" and Fried Pickles (yum...) and hten I ate a foot long (16 inch) Cheesesteak with corn dog nuggets and 2 cokes. As I entered the Baptist Hostel I saw "Fire Marshall", "Pegasus", and "Krispy Kritter", I was back with my family! We exchanged hellos and I giggled a lot due to my delirium. I am almost done washing my clothes and I took a shower so the smell is finally gone. YAY! The hostel is under renovation right now, and is actually only a wooden floor under a roof. WHO CARES? I could probably fall asleep on a bed of thorns right now.All told, I hiked 34 miles over the highest 2 mountains in Va and the highest point on the AT in Va. I saw flowers, deer, ponies and had a great prayer time. I prayed a lot about financial stresses at home that are affecting my hike as well as about givign God the future (women, jobs, etc.) I also prayed for all of my friends and had an amazing worship time. Today was the second time God has answered my "help" prayer. I alsao hiked faster in my last 3.5 hours (11 miles) than I had all day. I still can't believe I hiked 33.4 miles, Whoa!! I may never hike this many miles again on the trail, but I'm actually glad I did today. One of my goals for the trip was a 30 oplus day and now it's done. In addition I'm back with my friends and only hiking 15 miles tomorrow to a shelter where apparently we can actually order pizza... Woohoo! Below are 3 fun final thoughts:1. I love my sister Carla! (She transcribes my journals and I am afraid she will murder me after typing this one :/... gulp!).2. I sunburned my head today, now my thinning hair reveals red skin. Hehe- bald men are dead sexy!!3. Sadly (for the sake of humor in this journal) I hiked past Grizzly Dave. To all my readers: "I'm Sorry"!TIME FOR BED!!!Goodnight,Beatbox ttt