Date: 2003-09-13
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Lake of the Clouds
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

start Mizpah Hutdestination Lake of the Clouds HutThis will definitely remain on of my all time favorite days on the trail. The sounds of banjo picking woke me up this morning, along with the hut crew singing about Where is Daisy. We were served a scrumptious breakfast, pancakes, hot cream of wheat, juice bottomless cups of coffee and tea. I was sitting at the table afterward talking to a weekend hiker, as I got up to put my cup away, a bearded man caught my eye. He was sitting at another table writing in the register. He looked up and said "Hi, Bumpkin! How in the world are you?" This was a fairly sure sign that he knew me, but I could not place him. Of course after so many months on the trail all men start to look the same, beards, bushy hair, wild eyed look. He told me his name. It was Rick the Lone Wolf !!! I had not seen him since I got lost back in southern Virginia. We chatted for awhile catching up on our fellow hikers. It was really great to see him. The next hut was booked solid tonight, but I will take my chances and as last resort I will try to snag a bunk in the dungeon there. The trail today was positively breath taking. The fragments of micah in the trail sparkled like billions of diamonds as the sun hit them. It was truly like walking on a diamond trail. Today I felt like this was my hike. There is such a different feeling to it. Don't get me wrong, I have loved every minute of hiking with Mudbutt, but it seems that from the beginning it was our hike, hers and mine together. Today however, I am on my own, alone out here. I decided against taking a loop trail that would take me over the summit of Mt.Eisenhower, opting instead to stay on the AT and hike around the face of another unnamed mountain. I have done plenty of summits already. As I come around to the other side of Mt.Eisenhower, I hear music floating down from the top of the mountain. I look up and there on the top of the mountain is an American Flag flying in the wind from a pole. The flag would wave with each breath of the wind. Then, came the sounds of our national anthem. I stopped in my tracks, goose bumps coming up on my arms. The notes floating down like soft butterflies caught in a breeze. Of course I always get choked up when I hear this song. Today was no exception. Tears filled my eyes as I stood there, basked in bright sunshine and surrounded by the most awesome sights. Majestic mountains, rolling over and over for as far as you could see. They are like the mountains you would see on a child's drawing. Pointed mountain tops, with sparse trees dotting the landscape. I was filled with such a feeling of gratitude. To just be able to be here, at this place on this day. The day got even better as impossible as it seemed. At one point I am passed by a group of hikers going south. I cannot understand a word they are saying, but they smile and nod at me. The very last one in their group was a lady. She was behind them somewhat and hurrying to catch up with them. She looks at me and gets a wide eyed look, says Hi and passes me. A few minutes later I hear noise behind me, and turn to find her calling after me. Her group is following her down the trail. She asks me my name and when I tell her, she exclaims that she reads my journal on Trail Journals. She introduces herself. Joann from Quebec. She tells her friends all about me. They smile broadly and shake their heads, talking to her. I cannot understand them, but they seem to be impressed. It is so great to meet another person who reads my journals. I get to Lake of the Clouds Hut, sure enough they are full, but for $8.00 I can sleep in the dungeon, which is just a basement with two bunk beds in it. I pay my money and throw my pack on the only mattress in the room! It will be a test for me to sleep in a dark, dank room with no windows. I am reminded of Paul and Silas in the Bible, when they were in chains in the dark prison, and how they started praising the Lord and the chains fell away and the prison doors opened. I will praise the Lord, tonight for my bunk. I beleive that so often the chains in our lives can be broken by honest praise to our heavenly Father. Chains of fear or anger, chains of regret, or worry. All these chains hold us down and keep us from being the person God created us to be. I decided to hike up to Mt. Washington since the veiws are great. It is a clear day and those are rare up here this time of the year. The views are stunning from the summit of Mt.Washington. From any direction you can see forever. I call Papermaker so he can try to get my picture on the weather station. It is a success and the picture will be posted on my journal site shortly. Within an hour of that, the clouds moved in and the visibility dropped. You could not see more than 20 foot in front of you. I call Papermaker from the summit of Washington. I am talking to him on the phone when someone puts their hands on my shoulders and peers around to look me in the eyes. It is Hotdog !! I cannot beleive it!! He summitted Sept.11 and is driving back home and wanted to try and get a clear view of Mt.Washington. My eyes fill with tears, it is so wonderful to see him again. He looks great, all trim and healthy looking. But the biggest difference I notice is the aura of self confidence and peace that radiates from him. His thru hike is complete, the dreams and hopes have been fulfilled. I am envious of him. Back down at the hut, I am told that there has been a cancellation and I can have a bunk inside tonight! Hoorah for me. I am out of the darkness and into the light! We have a nice dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, mixed vegetables and fresh baked molasses bread. Chocolatte mousse finished it off. I sit outside for a long time watching the awesome show the moon puts on for us. I talk to several people about hiking, life and what all I have learned and saw. It is late when I go to my room. There are six bunks here, I am the only female. There seems to be a contest of who can snore the loudest or funniest. I have to smother my laughter in my pillow to keep from waking the guys up. It is so funny!! The moon is shining into the room. It shines a luminous glow over everything. It takes me a long time to fall asleep, but finally I do.