Date: 2009-04-14
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

OK, so this is how it is going. The rain and lack of views are really putting a damper on this whole journey. All the while I was hiking from Bald Mt. to route 19 yesterday, I was wondering what the hell I was doing out here. One of the most important aspects of this trip was to be able to hike hard and enjoy the views during long lunches and late dinners. For the last 21 days, I have been 'Obscured By Clouds' for at least eleven of those days. My mind was harking back to comfortable nights with Terri, and those first four wonderful days of enjoying her company. I had decided that the grade for the trip so far would be a C-, and that was boosted a full grade by those first days. Everything has been wet, and lunch was nothing more than pulling some jerky out of my pocket and stuffing it in my face, since there was nowhere comfortable to sit and enjoy much else anyway. Lunching in a shelter and staring at the walls or the tarp across the fromt holds no appeal to me.       To go along with these feelings was the thought of knowing there was little inspiration to be found. I had hoped to do some writing on this journey, and with the exception of that one burst at Deep Gap, GA., nothing good has been swirling around my mind.       I arrived at Rt. 19, and asked a local which was the best road to get a hitch on. The old man pointed to the road less traveled, and so on down I went. Over a mile later I finally was offered a ride to the P.O. (where my love sent me a ton of food, good thing I am dumb and strong!). The kind little league coach that offered me a ride suggested Rocky's Pizza for dinner, so another mile down the road I was recharging my cell phone battery and eating close to an entire small pizza. When I inquired what was the best way to get back to the trail, a young lady got ahold of the local hostel owner, and for a $6 fee, a ride was procured. I just wanted to get back up the trail and closer to Terri. At the hostel (located on the trail) there was a number of the thirty or so who camped at the Bald mountain Shelter the night before. I had charged on ahead earlier, and now they were heading in as I was on my way out. Once again I ran into Long Haul (who is helping to make a documentary of the trail), and since he enjoys company, mine included, he asked if I wanted to share his room, the rate being the same for two as for one. Once again a fellow hiker showered some trail magic on me and brightened my skies, raising the grade to a solid C for the journey so far.      With any luck, the next few days will allow me some summit sit time, and an opportunity to down some of the food I have to lug up this next range. So far the highlights (not withstanding my time with Terri) have been the day on Cheoah Bald, the ridgewalk on Sunday where a taste of the Dacks was attained due to the terrain, and the night at Hemlock Hollow with Long Haul (again his treat) with the six young adults who show hope for our future. My only hope is the weather will turn. Others have been saying that I need to learn patience. Well, I sure hope that happens pretty damn fast! I know I can walk the thousands of miles, but without the views, it is not as exciting as sharing a dinner with my loved ones. So on I march, knowing that there are only single digits of days until I rent a car and meet Terri half way for a weekend and my first two zero days. I hope all of you on the trail keep your spirits up, or at least have others who are willing to buoy you until brighter days find you....David