Date: 2005-03-13
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Justis Creek
Miles today: 6.0

3/13Began @ Hawk Mountain ShelterDestination: Justis CreekMiles today: 6 milesTotal Miles: 13.6Day 2This morning we got up at sunrise and Mike went to the privy which sits on the edge of the mountain we were on and viewed a beautiful sunrise. He came back to the tent and got the camera to go back and take a picture of it. We kept warm enough last night but the wind blew so hard that it blew dead leaves, sticks, and dirt onto the tent. It sounded like it was raining on the tent sides. Our tent never wavered a bit. We skipped a hot breakfast and just ate a bagel with cheese. Since we were so tired last evening we did not go to the spring to get water because it was another 0.2 of a mile from the shelter (the shelter was 0.2 miles from the trail). So this morning we filled up our 2 one liter bottles and our 2 2 liter water bladders that fit inside our backpacks with our Katadyn water filter. Since it was the first time we had used it, it took both of us to manipulate the tubing and bottle. By the time we went over several mountains we were looking for water. When we started out that morning we passed several streams but didn't need the water then. Several people were passing us later in the day saying they were either low or out of water.We didn't get water until we got to Justis Creek which is a lovely little stream with campsites. A small wooden bridge crosses the stream. There were several tents set up on the south side of the stream so we went to the other side. We set down our packs and hiking poles on the ground and Mike went to look for a good spot near the water. He came back after finding one and got his gear and we moved down near the creek. We filtered water first because we were so low on water and had been rationing it for at least 2 hours. The day was clear, sunny and got quite warm while were hiking so were drinking lots of water. That flowing creek looked so wonderful. We each drank almost a liter as soon as it was filtered.We did not cook an evening meal but thought that since we were so tired at the end of the yesterday that we would stop along the way and cook, which is what we did. We stopped earlier in the day and cooked our corn chowder meal. Yum! I used dried peas and corn and bacon bits and added some potato flakes and powdered milk and spices. That was where several cups of our water went. We also boiled water for coffee (we are using the coffee bags--like tea bags). They really do make good coffee.The view from each mountain top was either a 360* or near 360* view. Mountain after mountain of different heights could be seen and it was awesome. We could look back from the direction we had come and it was unbelievable that we had walked over it. Mike walks ahead of me because he is faster and then waits for me further up the trail. The only animals we saw were some robins. We didn't even hear any birds this morning other than a woodpecker pecking away on a tree. The woods seem to be absent of any but we know they have to be in there somewhere. Some of the hikers we met were a group of 4 girls and a boy from a college in Grand Rapids. They were out for a week on spring break. We also met a couple from South Wales that have been planning this trip since they were married 5 years ago. They sold their home and Jacky quit her job to do this hike. We leap-frogged all day with them today, as well as the spring breakers from Michigan. We met a man from Israel that was just about to finish up his thru-hike from Maine--he had started the end of August. It was a wonderful day and we are still in awe that we are actually out here walking this magnificent trail. It brings to mind how so many people in poorer countries do not have a good water supply and must walk long distances to get water for everything they need it for. And even some of that water may be contaminated. How fortunate we are to be able to just turn a faucet on and get clean water.