Date: 2008-05-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

Well, the night was not bad. Lots of wicked wind and some good thunder to snap me awake, but all in all, a good night! A wet tent is the least of my worries. Today we had our longest day yet, hiking 16.9 miles. (of course as I write this, from the lobby of our tiny hotel, Doug is sleeping and I can't for the life of me remeber where we hiked to. He keeps track of all that stuff and I usually write it down but it was so cold I never even wrote in my journal.) And it was a rainy one, our first. I had to pull out all of my gear, had on just about everything I brought with me--tank top, long sleeve shirt, fleece, raincoat, two pair pants, rain gear, winter hat, brimmed hat, mittens. It was cold! And when it was pouring rain, I was booking! With the rain I did not feel inclined to dally, and was practically running through the woods! And I have to say, it was kind-of fun, in an odd sort of way. Like back when I was in college and used to go jogging whenever it rained, even if I had already gone that day. No wonder we made almost 17 miles, and before 5:30. So we set up our tents. By then it had stopped rainy but boy was it windy! And cold! Doug was tired and went into his tent to take a nap. I found the perfect spot for my tent, down the hill a bit from the fire circle, in a patch of Rhododendren (sp?). I was all happy with it! Thought it make such a soft and comfy spot, with all the dead leaves beneath it, like a nice mattress. But then as I was sitting against the giant fallen tree near Doug's tent, I couldn't help but notice the wind whipping around the tree tops, making everything sway wildly. And I saw that just next to my perfect spot was a giant tree that was tall and dead. Lovely. I could imagine being rudely awakened by a part of that landing on me in the night! So, despite being freezing, I did move my tent. It was so cold I didn't even eat dinner. Doug laughs but when I get so cold I become non-functional. My hands of course were numb and white with good old Raynoids syndrome and I could not put on any more clothes as I had every last thing on. (Am so glad I was smart enough to include the fleece hat and mittens!!) I couldn't get a fire going for fear of burning Doug alive, as his tent was just a stone throw from the fire circle and the wind would surely carry a spark there in a split second. Not to mention that my hands couldn't get a match lit anyway. I did light the stove with hopes of eating my rice and carrot dinner but then the thing ran out of fuel and I was too cold to go and see if Doug had an extra one. So in the end, I skipped dinner and went to hunker down in my warm sleeping bag. And the night passed. I did not sleep much--those little people in my joints would not stop their incessant hammering. My joints ache so much I think it must be more than just soreness from hiking. Arthritis? Or Lyme Disease? So Doug says in the morning as we are getting our gear packed up and are talking about whether or not to stay in Franklin after our re-supply, "Well this camping in the cold isn't that much fun, maybe we should stay in town." I'm good with that!!!!