Date: 2007-05-08
From: Walnut Mountain, TN

To: Dennis Cove, TN
Miles today: 13.4

Today is similar to yesterday except that the big climb comes at the end of the day instead of the beginning. We cross one or more streams about ten times. Traveling along side of a bog we think we spy the remains of an abandoned moonshine still. We don¢t notice any Hatfields or McCoys, though.The Kincora Hiking Hostel is where we stop for the night. This place is an old-time hikers hostel, charging a paltry $4 per night, but in return giving you only a bunkroom and a shower. The three new hikers we meet, Ranger Rick, Leadfoot and Forty Below, all stay in the bunkhouse. I pitch my tent out on the lawn in an attempt to avoid the snoring which will surely be incessant. I¢m right about the snoring (in the morning I am told it was pretty annoying for those inside). But I sleep just fine out on the grass, listening to the sound of the woods and my new iPod.Later we learn about Patches, a hiker who was forced to leave the trail because of a bite of some kind. He is the second person we¢ve heard about having to quit for that reason. Maybe there are extra germs out here this year. Maybe caused by Global Warming? Who knows.This section of trail is very familiar to me. I¢ve hiked it twice before, in 2002, 2003 and now in 2007. I could probably do it with my eyes closed (well, almost). Its still as much fun as the first time.TRAINMAN¢S SIDEBAR COMMENT: Trail Names (part 3 of 3)Everyone tries to give you a trail name, even your colleagues at work. Back in January I explained to Quang, an engineer at our company, about the adventure my wife was about to embark on. Although he had lived in the US for 32 years, and in fact currently lived in Atlanta, he had no idea that the Appalachian Trail started only 50 miles north of his home. He instantly took a genuine interest the trail and those attempting to hike it. I explained to Quang facts about the trail: its length, its climate, its hardships, its rewards. He correctly assessed that through hikers were part courageous and part crazy. I told Quang about the trail names April and I had and how they were acquired many years ago.In the 4 months before we left for Springer April worked hard to get in good hiking shape. She hiked nearly every day in the Connecticut winter, no matter the snow or ice. She carried 15 pounds of water in her pack while out practicing in the local park. I kept Quang updated on her progress. He was amazed that she was putting so much effort into preparation for hiking the trail.While April hiked every day, I worked every day. It was obvious to Quang that April was getting in better shape than me, with her getting hard and me getting soft. Almost daily he would ask if April was out in the woods AGAIN TODAY? I¢d respond affirmatively. Then he¢d throw out his oft-repeated phrase ¢She¢s tough! She¢s a tough lady!¢ which was always followed with ¢You¢ll never be able to keep up with her!¢Finally one day what I said about trail names clicked with Quang. He told me ¢We should call you MARSHMALLOW MAN. You¢re too soft! You¢ll never be able to keep up with her! It¢s a good thing you already have the name of Trainman!¢Good thing, indeed.