Date: 2003-05-26
From: Sarver Hallow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

Last night I sat by the fire until the rain drove me into the shelter. Charity, Last Minute and Fire Angel had not arrived as of 9:30 so I turned in for the night. The sound of the rain and wind was lulling me to sleep when I heard voices and saw headlamps coming onto the porch of the shelter. My wet and weary comrades had arrived except for Fire Angel.They changed into dry clothes and made their dinners as we caught up on the day's happenings. We had all had good hikes, and everyone had enjoyed the beautiful weather up on Kelly Knob. It was midnight before we stopped talking and fell off to sleep.We awakened to a misty, cool morning but no rain. I hiked out at 8:30 after a breakfast of oatmeal and tea.I had 16 miles to do today to get to the shelter where we were to spend the night, and wanted to have lots of time to stop every few hours and rest my dawgs.On the trail this morning I met 2 southbound (Harpers Ferry to Springer) section hikers from England. They said their names were Dunkin' and Donut but I'm pretty sure they were pulling my leg because they didn't know which one was which. They said they had never been to a Dunkin' Donuts but they had just been to a Super Wal-Mart for the first time in their lives and were quite impressed with it. One was from Wales and one from Cornwall, so I told them about my visit to the Roman walled city of Chester and the fellow from Wales said that he does his Christmas shopping there and we chatted about it for a few minutes. He told me a riddle, that I didn't get----no-one from the states would have gotten it, and he laughed. It was really funny listening to them explain it to me. I wish these delightful fellows were north bounding with the rest of us, they would sure liven up the shelters at night! I wish them luck on their journey. I couldn't get Monty Python out of my head for the rest of the day and sang ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE for hours after meeting them!I stopped at Niday Shelter for lunch, water and to sign the register. I was back out on the trail within the hour. Right before reaching Craig Creek Valley and Va. 621 I met a day hiking couple who informed me of trail magic at the road crossing. No-one that has not experienced it could possibly understand how wonderful it is to find a cooler full of drinks/goodies along the trail, especially after being on the trail for 5 days.She said it had been left by "Little Man" Tate. I told her Tate was a Beagle that had been lost by a thru-hiker four days before and she informed me that there was a big picture of him pinned to the tree over the cooler and FOUND had been written over him. I thanked her for making my day and as I started to cry, she did too; must be a dog person also.A mile down the trail was a thank you cooler filled with goodies from Tate to all of the people that helped in his return. Thanks buddy, and I'm glad that you're back safe and sound.I arrived at Pickle Branch Shelter, a whopping 1/2 mile off the trail (which I NEVER do) at 5:30 and got water, firewood, and started my dinner. For the last 3 days we've been talking about how it's Memorial Day weekend and we wouldn't be having any burgers, potato salad, or baked beans. For dinner tonight I had mashed potatoes and chicken.I was sitting here quietly, reading the shelter register when a fellow wearing no pack jogged down the path to tell me there was a bar-b-que back at the road but it would involve a mile and a half hike backwards for me. I kindly declined and felt badly that he had run all the way to the shelter so that I wouldn't miss out on the festivities. My feet ached and I was tired from my hike and the late hours the night before. Charity and Last Minute will probably be in after dark again if at all, so I'll load up the fire with wood and hit the bag early.Thank you to all those now serving and who have served in our armed forces!