Date: 2013-03-17
From: Big Cedar Mountain overlook

To: Neels Gap - Debbie's cabin
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Good morning dear readers,I stayed up late chatting last night and am snuggled in an actual bed writing this! Before I left home last week, I have to admit I hugged my pillows goodbye...I love my pillows, awesome wool ones, so perfectly comfy. While I adore my fleece stuff sack pillow, it just doesn't compare. Final thoughts from my last journal entry about the glories of camping alone - When you camp by yourself you can take a baby wipe bath, poop, and pee all with a fantastic view in front of you! So freeing to be naked in the wilderness. I really hope it's not that I'm losing all modesty, it's only Day 4....So proud that I'm spent my first night completely alone in the woods....well except making up noises of wildlife and thinking "Please don't eat my food". Ok, I admit it, I was a bit freaked out to sleep by myself with no one round as backup. But, this is what I wanted, right? To prove to myself I could do this by myself .... which I did. Another gorgeous day to hike! The woods were my cathedral this morning with the sun pouring through the trees. I passed a Boy Scout group early on, then stopped at Lance Creek campsites to fill up on water. Can tell a weather change is going to happen - some clouds today, a bit windier, and thankfully not so hot. I've also heard from several other hikers that it is supposed to rain tomorrow. Met numerous people on the hike to Jarred's Gap - saw Globug and Strider again, along with the German couple Nadia and Christian. After lunch, climbed Blood Mountain after getting water at Slaughter Creek - don't you love the names?! The climb up Blood was slow but steady, and frankly not as bad as I had been thinking! Simply gorgeous views, and met numerous day hikers, and many other thrus, including cute Pink Panther and her parents at the top by the stone shelter. Explored a bit on the rocks, but not too much due to my fear of heights. Ate the chocolate hazelnut bar Joan had give me the day before, simply yummy!!! More stunning rock scrambles and views, then down down down into Neels Gap. Hiked part of the way with White Shoes, a chatty lady from New Hampshire. At the gap is the famous Mountain Crossings, an outfitter and hostel. I met up with Debbie from WWB/Trail Dames, who is my trail angel extraordinaire! She was up at her Haiwassee cabin for a few weeks, and drove me there through the beautiful winding mountain roads. Even after only 5 days, it was a bit odd to ride in a car again. I aired out my tent and sleeping bag in the sun, admired the blooming wildflowers, and took a simply lovely hot shower! I talked with Mom and Dad, it's amazing to me that I've been gone for less than a week, feels so much longer. I was glad to hear their voices, though made me a touch homesick. A great chili dinner and fantastic conversation later found me going through my mail drop box to pick and choose food for the next section. Knowing these and the Virginia stretches of the trail so well, Debbie was a treasure trove of information! Sending a good amount of food home, hopefully I'll plan better in this next stretch. Sending the dratted orange self entangling rope home, along with some misc items I haven't used and can't see myself really needing. Word of the day - quintessential It's simply amazing to me still how awesome the trail community is - taking someone you really don't know into your home for the night, feeding me and helping me in anyway she could, Debbie is the quintessential example of everything past thru hikers had been telling me about! Thank you, Debbie, for opening your home to me and giving me so very much - a feeling of safety, welcome, and comraderrie, which was just as needed as my physical needs!!