Date: 2018-05-17
From: Carvers Gap 

To: U.S. Highway 19 E
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

I got a late start today. We drove about 10 miles out of town and stopped for gas. That¢s when I realized I had forgotten my hat at the camper. Knowing it was expected to rain, we turned around and went back to grab my hat. I did not get on the trail until after 9am. My hike started in Roan Mountain State Park.  When I stepped out of the vehicle elevation was already pretty high at 5569 ft. We actually drove through the clouds to get to my starting point. I continued going UP from there. High elevation means pine forest, and Soon I found myself in one. It felt enchanted. These pines were significantly deeper green in color, and the scent was far more bold than any of the previous pine forests on the trail. I just loved it!  I spent a good portion of my first couple miles saving Dew Worms. They crawled out on the trail in yesterday¢s rain and didn¢t get back to grass before this morning¢s sun. My old boss and friend Marge Marc used to save worms. She loved all of God¢s creatures, and taught me to do the same. I even stopped killing spiders years ago. She passed away in 2006 after a long battle with breast cancer. I think of her often.  Soon I came across a blue blaze leading to a barn. This barn was renovated in 1983 and is now a great place for hikers to use as a shelter. In its day the barn was used by ¢Overmountain Men¢ during the revolutionary war on their way to battle at Kings Mountain. I chose to take the blue blaze and went 0.2 miles off trail to see a little piece of history. The views alone were worth the extra mileage.  Today was my most favorite day for views! Once I came out of the pine forest I began my climb through a series of Balds. There was Round Bald at 5826ft then Jane Bald, then Little Hump and Big Hump. The barn was in the middle of all that. I took my sweet little time with a good long break on some boulders up there. Had a little talk with God and thanked him for this amazing day. I feel truly blessed. Undeserving, humbled and blessed.  I was enjoying my time on the boulders but rain clouds were looming in the not too far distance. I stayed on there until sprinkles forced me to stop taking photos and start taking steps.  I found myself summiting Big Hump while walking through a rain cloud. The wind and rain were a little strong at times, but I was ok. I enjoyed the drop in temp. It was refreshing. I was still in awe as I walked, and I kept looking all around me as much as possible. Every direction was a breathtaking view even in the rain. Very quickly the trail had turned into mud. I just wasn¢t paying close enough attention I guess. Yep, down goes McGinney!  No harm done. I continued my hike with muddy pants. Just as I was beginning to descend I crossed paths with a young man. He suddenly appeared in the fog. We had a good pleasant conversation. I later learned he was a ridge runner working his first day on the job. I came down off of Big Hump into a forest. There were lots of rocks and tree roots. The trail was a flowing creek by now. My boots were and still are soaked. I was being very careful on the down in all of this wetness, but one slippery step on a tree root and you guessed it...down went McGinney AGAIN! I¢ve never fallen twice in one day. I landed on my left hip. It was kind of hard, but I was ok.  Shortly after that while washing my hands in the flowing water Lorax appeared behind me. I had no idea he or anybody was around. I had been alone pretty much all day. It was nice to see a familiar face. The rain eased up about that time and we hiked together. At one point I had gotten a little off course so I pulled out my phone to look at the Guthook¢s app. I took 2 steps while looking at my phone, and you won¢t believe it... down went McGinney again! Three times! This one kind of hurt. I managed to see a tree with a white blaze in the midst of my fall. So I got up, shook it off, and continued down our proper path.  Lorax has family visiting and soon we met up with his brother-in-law ¢The Mayor¢. He took our photo as we approached him. I can¢t imagine what a 3 times in one day professional faller looks like in that photo! We chatted briefly then the three of us hiked 2.71 miles to highway 19 E. The sun was coming out now, and the skies were clear again. We walked out of the woods at almost 5pm exactly. Papa Big Swig was patiently waiting for me. Papa Big Swig and I stopped for Mexican food on the way home. I went right into that restaurant looking a disgusting mess. I have no shame anymore. That¢s what a couple of months in the mountains will do to you. Some things are important, and some things just aren¢t. Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?