Date: 2004-04-28
From: Moreland Gape Shelter

To: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hiker Hostel)
Miles today: 6.1

Woke up this morning to find someone sleeping behind the shelter with a dog. A section hiker, Noodles and his roommate's dog, Eddy, got in after ten.It was a beautiful day, cool and sunny. A good day to walk. After an 18 mile day, a good day to sleep in. I didn't move until 630. I knew I was only doing six miles, so got out slow.Doctored my pinky toe, which has been causing me problems. Toe jam on the downhills has been taking its toll on it for some reason. Put on my shoes and headed out.One long hill, White Rocks Mountain, then a nice gradual downhill to Dennis Cove.Eric and Noodles passed me, yakking a storm. They're from the same area around North Carolina, we found out at breakfast. Later, I heard one of the Hobbit sisters yelling behind me. They decided they would let me know when they were coming up behind me. Navigator looks like he'll be hiking with them for awhile.The last two miles into Dennis Cove were very nice. Down into a lush little valley with a creek bumping down rocks covered with moss. Violets in purple and white. Red trillium nodding in the breeze. Pass an old homestead, with a stock pond. Sun glinting through the trees.I took a break and switched to the sandals. Very nice. I just walked through the stream as the trail wove its way back and forth over the creek.Got to the road just as Jessica came up behind me. Across was Noddles and Eric. Apparently Oodles had given them another option then Going to Kincira. I walked down the road to the hostel. The Hobbits and Navigator had staked out their beds and had started laundry. There appeared to be some bottom bunks still available so I claimed one.Bob, the owner showed up and gave us the rules and said he'd make a town run at three, also to pick up some slackpackers. It turned out the slackpackers are KrispyKriter and BearTracks.Then Jester showed up. He's in his usualy surly mood. Talked him into staying.We got cleaned up and surveyed food to figure out what each would need to get to Damascus. I figured out three nights and a ten mile morning would do it for me.Off to town. We decided to eat before shopping. Bob dropped us off at a strip mall with the grocery store and an all you can eat Chinese place.We oinked out and went into the grocery. I've had a hankering for sardines so my list had a can of sardines on it. I figure three days, I can hump the weight. I also got some fresh blueberries to add to my museli in the morning.All except me, bought ice cream. I figured three gallons was enough. Pon return here, more hikers had showed up. Some I knew, Scholar, Yippy ad Jabberwalky, later Ellie and Christopher, GrizzleyDave. A mess of young men I don't know.After sorting and repacking and catching up with everyone, Navigator put a steak on the grill here, Heidi made some crispygooy dessert, I made a hugh salad. We raided the hiker bos and found buns and real butter! We feasted out on the patio porch.For dessert, crispygooy stuff with ice cream. I'm amazed at the aount of food we put away. But the walk is calorie consuming. Around ten o'clock the crowd got quieter as some of us headed for bed. The question for many is, will we be headed out in the morning. I have a ten mile planned so I can afford a slow start. The Hobbits and Navigator plan to volunteer some work time. Krispy has been here for three days getting off a sore foot. Scholar is thinking about sitting out. We'll see who moves out in the morning. This is an enchanting place. The hostel sits in a gap area, high up the hills. They have the woods creeping up on them and plantings around the bunk house of hostas and rhododendron, hibiscus and ivy. The bunk house is a log cabin with a covered porch. Very nice. Bob is a trail maintainer and recruits folks to do one day. He's very enthusiastic about what he does here.I go for now. Decision time in the morning. Namaste'