Date: 2007-04-09
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

What a crowd we had together last, all in tents, no one actually sleeping in theshelter. But since we had such a short hike yesterday, these young folksweren't as sleepy as usual and stayed up playing word games around the campfirenear to which us old folks were tented. Since many of these young men have beencamp counselors in a prior life they know a bunch of games. I have to say toany 20 somethingyoung women: if you're wondering where all the good young men are,they're outhere hiking the AT. I've never met so many nice, mannerly, interesting,good-looking young men...they'd make their mamas proud! And they treat us oldfolks kindly and respectfully. They are a delight to be around and not at allwhat I expected.(If my typing these last few days seems to have an unusual number of typos, it'sbecause it's so cold that I'm having to type with gloves on and they are hittingtwo keys at once often...I'm trying to correct most of them.)I said I'd write about lunches. My favorite is tuna or chicken in a pouch withmayo on crackers, bagels, or tortillas. I sometimes have p,b&j, too. Anothereasy lunch is the cheese and cracker packets like on the airlines. Other optionsare types of power bars that have a lot of protein. I also like summer sausageand cheese...gotta get some next town resupply. Others also like Nutella, but Ihaven't tried it. I don't usually lunch with others, so I don't know whatthey're eating.Dinner is just not appealing to me at all. My dehydrated pastas with turkey andsauces are so unappetizing. I'm choking some of it down because I know I needthe nutrition, but most of it either gets eaten by someone else or dumped downthe privy...or buried. I got to figure this out. I think I'd like the pastasif I could come up with better flavorful sauces for them. I used to believethat everything tasted better in the woods, but thats no longer true. Even intown I'm not that hungry. I split a pizza at the hostel with Sauce and stillgave 2 of my pieces away.Today someone came up with a new version of my trail name: Our Lady of Bags! Has a royalty ring to it!There's one guy that I camped with the first night out that I've hooked up withagain: Dozer (formerly Clint and then Honey in the Morning). He's always thelast one out of camp, but goes the shorter distances like I do so we're campingat the same spots. He was a day ahead because he didn't stop in Gatlinburg,buthe came off the trail for a day near Standing Bear to hook up with a girl and Icaught up with him. It's kind neat to have one person from my first night outstill around.Tonight should be another chillynight. I'm camped on a windy ridge with my hammock down on the ground and mytarp staked to the ground making a pup tent to keep warm. I have my vaporbarrier liner and 2 sox, 2 pants, 2 shirts plus a fleece and a down sweater,wool cap, buff, and gloves on. There's nothing more I can do..it's all I'vegot! The hardest time will be having to go potty during the night...brrr! Butthen mornings are hard too because you have to get up and get packed up on thecold...not much fun, but once I get hiking a ways, I warm up. And when the sunbreaks over the ridge line, my heart just glows to be out here. The tough timesjust make the joyous times even better!Example: today we crossed Max Patch Bald, a spectacular place because it has notrees, but also because it has a 360 degree view ofmountains...breathtaking..like standing in an iMax movie! But with all thisbeauty and sunshine, was a chilling wind trying to blow us off themountain...great contrasts!..made it even more spectacular!Well, I can hear the wind whipping on my tarp and my pillow (yes, I brought apillow!) calling my name. It's nearly 9pm and I've got another 13 miles intoHot Springs tomorrow where we are going to partake of the spa! I think I'llalso see about getting a good massage..I sure need it. Step lightly