Date: 2013-06-23
From: Kent CT

To: Silver Hill Camp
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

June 23rd: Hiked 10.3 miles from Kent to Silver Hill Camp, total miles hiked: 1473.2, 712.8 to go. Jan and I had a really good time camping and she was right, car camping in a state park with bathrooms and hot showers is easy living compared to the tenting I do out here. Slept like royalty in our 4 man tent and thick double wide foam pad. Jan had to get back home early today which was a total downer so we drove into town for breakfast before she dropped me off at the trailhead at 9:00. Things got off to a bad start when I went to retract my hiking poles and both were fused shut. Wouldn't budge no matter what and without the necessary tools, there was nothing left to do but leave them in the car and set out without them. Since I am getting off the trail this Friday for a wedding, I figured I would deal with it then. Just as an aside, Jan stopped at REI on the way home and they replaced them for free. Since leaving Springer my trekking poles have been permanent fixtures no matter what the terrain and for the first few miles I was hiking without training wheels. Even managed to take a tumble when I tripped over a tree root and tried in vain to right myself with a phantom pole. But my day did get better. Around noon, I came across a Ridge Runner named Machine. Ridge Runners hike sections of the trail to assist hikers and provide education on the whats and whys of responsible hiking. They don't have any authoritative powers on the trail but they will coordinate with park services and even the police if a situation gets out of hand. These are paid summer jobs and like Machine, who through hiked last year, many of the Ridge Runners are former thru-hikers. Today Machine was joined by his Dad and twin brother. They live nearby and decided to hike with him for part of the day. We hiked and chatted for a short while and eventually came to a trailhead where his Dad's car was parked. Here is where the trail magic got really good. When we got to the car, his Dad popped the trunk and offered me an ice cold power drink and chilled watermelon. Nirvana! As I was getting ready to leave, his Dad held up a large Buffalo Chicken Subway Sub and asked if I wanted it. He explained that he had inadvertently bought one too many subs and I was welcome to it. I had planned on instant mash potatoes mixed with spam tonight so I gratefully accepted his extra sub. Thanking him again I put the sub in my pack and continued on my way. Walking down the trail marveling at my good fortune it finally occurred to me; how do you inadvertently buy too many subs when you are buying for three? Answer: You don't. Machine's father, no doubt, grateful for the trail magic and acts of kindness his own son certainly experienced last year hiking the trail decided to pay it forward and offered his sub to me, a weary traveler. That's the way things seem to work in this magical place called the AT and it never ceases to amaze and humble me. Decided to cut my hike early today because 1) I am breaking in new boots and won't repeat the mistakes I made last time and 2) I came across a beautiful camping area with nice views and level ground. There is even a bench swing and sitting area with unobstructed mountain views. Tomorrow I will hopefully make up some distance but the feet come first and will have the final say.