Date: 2013-05-24
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

I should know by now that really bad days are followed by really good days. Today was a really good day. I woke up early and started packing while almost everyone in the garage was still sleeping. Outside it was cold, windy, and dark clouds were moving rapidly across the sky. I was anxious to hit the trail today and was soon walking the 0.3 miles down the road to the trail. It was cool enough for me to hike in a long sleeve and a short sleeve shirt. When I stopped I would have to put on a jacket to stay warm. The terrain was a pleasant mixture of pastures, mountains, hiking beside streams, and hiking on ridges. After about 5 miles I came to a road crossing and small parking area. To my surprise Apa pulled up in a rental car and wanted to do a little trail magic before he left the trail. Several of us piled in his car to get out of the wind while we ate and drank his trail magic. After the other hikers left, Apa and I drove down to a local store and ate an early lunch. It was good to see him one last time and I'm sorry to see him go. I had heard that Trouble was ahead of me but as it turns out she went into town from the same road I went to the hostel and then she zeroed because of problems with her feet. Apa had dropped her off so now I know she is 5 miles behind me. I left her notes in the shelter journals to let her know where I was going. I think another thing that cheered me up today was having a specific date that my son will join me for the summer (next Friday). I really look forward to him hiking with me!A highlight of the day was getting to McAfee's Knob. The climb was not nearly as bad as it looked in the guidebook. McAfee's Knob is probably the most famous point on the trail. Many hikers have their picture taken dangling their feet over the edge. Being one who doesn't care for heights, I settled for a pic well away from the edge. The wind was blowing so hard I was afraid I'd lose my visor. I was also a little nervous about the half mile cliff walk called Tinker Cliffs. Somehow I managed to take a wrong turn and ended up at the bottom of the cliffs. The trail was slippery and I had 2 hard falls. Eventually I found my way back to the trail - white blazes have never looked better! I back tracked so as to not miss the cliffs and it not nearly as bad as I had imagined. Frankly, some of the steep rocks after the Dragon's Tooth were scarier than the cliffs. Nonetheless, the gusty wind made it difficult to fully enjoy. As I approached the shelter before where I'd camp I saw 3 deer on the trail who didn't seem very afraid of me. What a perfect ending to a good day! There are a lot of people camped here tonight and I connected with a group I really like. They had a nice fire going when I arrived and it was very pleasant sitting around the fire chatting. I especially enjoyed Nom Nom and his son Temp. I first met them two nights ago in the shelter during a thunderstorm. Nom Nom and I are the same age and he and his wife decided to retire so they could do volunteer work and travel - my kind of people! Temp just graduated from college. We talked way past hiker midnight to almost 10:00. Unfortunately they are section hikers and will leave the trail tomorrow. I'm camped close enough to a stream to hear the water gurgling. A full moon is lighting up the forrest and the cool temperatures should mean a good night for sleep . . .