Date: 2013-06-25
From: Stealth Camp one mile past Audie Murphy monument

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

The trail started out very smooth, as if manicured for the oncoming summer visitors. Though the day was hot, and my blisters continued to plague me, the hike was going pretty well. I stopped at the river and had lunch and soaked my feet in the cold refreshing water on a scorching day. The hike ahead was going to be increasingly uphill, but should be rewarding with the Dragon's Tooth Stone Monolith. Met Etcetera and Fat Tootles on the way and kept passing each other throughout the day. It's not atypical to encounter such meetings no matter how fast you hike because breaks now and then are important for rehydrating and resting muscles. They eventually moved on to the hostel where we would soon follow. The trail soon turned rough as it steepened, uphill and rocky. By the time I got to the Dragon's Tooth I was spent, and my feet were hurting from the blisters. Once I saw the Dragon's Tooth I suddenly garnered the energy of a kid with cotton candy and a swing set. The monolith consisted of huge slabs of rock, slightly leaning at climbing angles, upward of 70 feet from the ground. On the descent I had to climb down steep rocks supported with metal steps built in so hikers could safely scale the rock walls. It was really more like mountain climbing than hiking. It was also rough. I took a fall when I stepped between two rocks that grabbed my foot as I continued to plunge forward. Lucky for me I didn't get hurt. I could have easily busted my knee on one of the pointed rocks.When we got close enough we called the Four Pines Hostel, run by Joe who only accepts donations. When I asked him to take me back to the store from whence we just came in order to procure my walking sticks I left by the trash can, he sighed, but accepted graciously. I hated to ask, but I would hate losing them more. Joe does a lot for hikers. On the way to the store we talked about the hostel and how he decided to open it. He seems to simply enjoy running a very reasonably priced place for hikers to sleep, get a shower, and just hang out for a while. I can't imagine it's profitable in the least. He enjoys having the company and helping. While we were there we played Corn-hole, which is a slightly raised flat box with a hole, where you throw bean bags from horseshoe distance. The rules are basically the same as horseshoes. Though I've never played corn-hole, I scored quite a lot of points, probably more than anyone else. I was a decent softball pitcher for several years, and not too bad of a horseshoe player, so it wasn't like I had no experience at all.The blueberries have started to ripen now. I picked several that tasted delicious. I've seen blackberries as well, but they don't appear to be as ready in the high country. Pretty soon the woods will be teaming with wild berries, increasing the chances of spotting a bear. Along with the good plants come the bad. I've encountered fields of "Stinging Nettles" up to four feet high. When they are touched they give off a stinging sensation to any hosts skin that touches it, especially when sweaty. Another plant I learned about from Sunshine and Cannibal Curious is the Mullen plant. It has broad leaves that are thick with a cotton-like surface, perfect for a visit to the privy or woods. In other words it makes good toilet paper. Another day on the trail,