Date: 2003-05-26
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

It rained last night, pretty hard, which made me glad I was in the shelter. At 5:30 this morning, a whippoorwill came very near the shelter and started singing. Loudly! Everyone in the shelter woke up, and one person ssshhh'ed at it, which worked. For about 3 seconds. It gave us a few more "alarm" rings, then left, thankfully. Apparently that got a lot of my shelter-mates going, because when I woke up around 6:30, the entire lower level, except me, was empty! After a few minutes, I realized there were 3 guys on the top level still. By 8:30, Hotdog and I were the last to leave.We had a plan to go to a Wayside Grill for lunch. Maybe it was the long day yesterday, or maybe not, but I thought the miles to the Wayside passed by very slowly. The terrain wasn't too bad, but I didn't feel I was moving very well. Finally, the side trail to the Wayside was here! Unfortunately, it was 0.5mile. Downhill. Steep. I was already in a bad mood, probably because I didn't have a break in the 8 miles to the side trail. My fault. As I was going down the trail, I said "This is going to piss me off on the way back up!" However, after a $6.50 cheeseburger/fries/soda combo, and some rest, I felt much better. I went to use the phone, but there was no payphone within a mile, and I didn't want to walk MORE miles off the AT. The Ranger was kind enough to let me use their phone, so I could get some things sent to Harpers Ferry for my next drop.The hike back up wasn't so bad after all. An attitude adjustment will do me wonders! From there, it was less than 5 miles to the next shelter. And there was plenty of daylight left. If we stopped there, it would only be a 13 mile day.Well, it was a 13 mile day. But that is alright with me. I don't understand it sometimes, but when one thing starts to feel good (my lower leg), another things starts bothering me. Yesterday afternoon, and today, it was my left hip. I don't know why or how, but it was hurting. It kinda pissed me off. Why can't I have some time when everything feels okay at the same time? I guess that's just the way it is, and will be. But I'm not over being mad about it.Today, the sun came out for a little bit, and I saw some blue sky. It was great to see that! One of the overlooks actually had a bit of a view too. Aaahh... That's why I hike! It didn't last too long though, and the skies clouded up again. Someday, hopefully soon, the whole day will be sunny. Someday.At the shelter, there are two thruhikers (Hotdog and I) and 4 section-hikers, two southbound (Erik and Jody) and two northbound (Jennifer, Randy). Around 6pm, 1999 thruhiker Too Hot To Handle, and friend Cathryn showed up with ice cream sandwiches, sundae cones, cookies, and candy bars. Trail Magic! They hung out with us until it was almost dark, then walked back to their vehicle. It was very cool to talk to him and hear his stories, and share some of our own. He started a fire before leaving too, but we all refused the s'mores fixins. Two ice cream sandwiches, one sundae cone, about 30 cookies, and two Nutty Buddy bars made up my dinner for the night.I had a lot of fun with the mice last night. I was on the lower level, on one side and apparently the mice used my area as the racetrack. They ran over the corner of my sleeping pad, across the top of my bag, above my head, and over my papers in a ziplock, which were right next to me. It wasn't quite cold enough, but I was tucked deep inside of my sleeping bag. I have a fear that they will climb in my sleeping bag with me. Finally I worked up the courage to leave my head and one arm out, and after about an hour of listening to them, I fell back asleep. Already tonight, a mouse has appeared and run around on the ground near the shelter, picnic table, and firepit. The nerve! Why can't they wait until we're in our bags!?! I'm in the corner again, so I'm expecting more fun tonight. It might have been the rumor of a rat at the last shelter that kept me on edge last night. Hopefully, if anything, it's just the little guys tonight.