Date: 2005-07-25
From: Mohican Outdoor center

To: Brinks Road Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today Piker and I had a great day. We woke up to the rain pounding our tent and we were very happy that we had put the rain fly on. It is always hard for me to get motivated when it is raining. Breaking down is just such a mess. We waited out the rain a bit and started getting ready about 9 o'clock. Piker made bagels for breakfast, we ate them under the awning of the lodge. We filled up on fuel at the store and hit the trail at 10:40. We are still getting our trail legs back and almost immediately I felt nauseous. I have no idea why, but I felt as if I was going to pass out. Awful... it must have been the heat. I figured the best thing to do would be to keep walking. I was still just warming up. The first 7.3 miles seemed to be much longer, but we walked until Blue Mtn. Lakes Road where there was a water pump. As we walked up we had dozens of kids staring at us. " Oh there are some thru hikers " "Hello thru hikers!" We stopped and learned that they were out attending the YMCA camp and were out for a night trip. They were all so cute asking us questions, showing us their gear and pumping water for us. It was nice to see all of their enthusiasm for what we were doing. They all said goodby and wished us luck and then Piker and I basked in the stillness of our quaint lunch spot. When we left the lunch spot, Piker immediately recognized the trail from when his Dad took him hiking. I saw his eyes light up when he fondly recalled memories the next three miles we walked. Some of these experiences probably planted the seed for our thru hike. We walked upon a signthat read Crater Lake 100 yards. Piker told me he knew a better way down. So we climbed the rock scramble that he said was one of his favorite spots as a kid. We dropped our packs, grabbed some important things and headed down the trail. Or should I say what USED to be a trail. It was all overgrown and the rotted staircase looked like it hadn't been stepped on in years. We slowly made our way down. It was cool knowing that years ago Piker had used this path. We got down to the lake and it was just beautiful. Crystal clear. We shed our boots and prepared to jum-p in. Of couse I made Piker jump first but I was not far behind. Thw water was so refreshing. Just like Lake Champlain in the summer. Luke warm with cold spots as you swim around. We waded around for a while and then got out and sunbathes. We looked for bugs to feed the sunfish and ate blueberries from along the rocks. It was such a wonderful break and what I think the trail is all about. The last half of our day was just as enjoyable. Beautiful views from Rattlesnake Mtn. with a cool breeze cooling us down after the climb. Then we passed where I took my first AT hike ever. It was a surreal moment realizing that I had indeed walked here. Last time I had been here I was praying that I would make it this far. Tonight we are tented at the first shelter that I saw on the AT. It makes me realize how far we have actually come and I am proud of us! Onward tomorrow! First stop breakfast at Culver's Gap. What a great day!   Ms. Mileage