Date: 2013-06-11
From: Bobblets Gap Circle

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Let me tell you what one of the more miserable experiences is out here on the AT. Taking off most of my clothes and hanging them from a nail or peg in the shelter, hoping they will dry, I hit the bag for the night. Daylight the next morning, I crawl out of my bag, put on my clothes and let out a blood curtling scream!! My clothes are wetter than when I took them off...and CLAMMY!! Why am I going through this??? Afterall, no one is holding a gun to my head. I could be in a warm, snug bed at home. Why am I not? Hope to figure this dilemma out before my hike ends.At 6.8 miles into my hike, walking with Dr. Who, we stopped at Cove Mountain Shelter for lunch and a break. There was no rain today but it was still terribly humid and the hiking was the most difficult since my return. There were three other hikers at Cove Mountain, Big Bear, Cocoon and Embers. I introduced myself to them. Big Bear and Cocoon looked at each other in a curious way, then, they yelled, "Sandman, we know you, man!" We had met and hiked together during our first week on the AT way back in March. At that time, they were simply Kyle and Nick from Jersey. They had no trail names yet. I couldn't believe it. Big Bear had taken off to get his certification as an EMT. Now, it gets interesting. I believe it was Damascus, Va, where he came back. And, the Trail Days Festival was taking place there. Lots and lots of hikers gathered to see hiker's and camper's from up and down the AT, swap stories, look at new and inovative gear, meet up with old and new friends, get freebies and, of course, drink cold frosty beer. Part of the celebration was a parade where, any hikers who wanted to, could "march", I use that term loosely, in the parade. Well, the parade was on and an elderly gentleman riding down the street at the time, had a stroke or some sort of attack. When he did, he lost control of his car and it went wildly down the street, careened through a car wash and ran smack into the hikers marching in the parade. Total chaos erupted! Well, Big Bear, having just gotten his EMT certification, was on the site quickly and he set up triage to help the injured hikers. Fortunately, no one was killed but several had serious lacerations, broken bones, etc. Big Bear was the AT hiker in the spot light for this day, having done his job well and proudly. This incident made the national news and my friend, Big Bear, was interviewed by the local TV station and appeared on the news. Both Big Bear and Cocoon are fine young men and I hope to see more of them up the trail.Bryant Ridge Shelter is a huge one. Perhaps the largest one I have seen thus far in four states. It was a tri-level and the capacity was 20 and only four of us stayed here for the night. Not a lot of rain came on this night...thankfully. My lack of energy still had me greatly concerned. Today, my suffering reached a crescendo. I did not struggle like this since my first day on the AT. Also, my feeble mileage totals for these first three days back were deplorable. At the rate I was going, it could take me another six months to finish. It rained sporadically throughout the night and cleared some about 7:00 am, Monday.Ciao for now,Sandman69