Date: 2004-05-04
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

My First State Line!!!Start: Plumorchard Gap Shelter @ 0830Finish: Standing Indian Shelter @ 1555Miles: 12.2Weather: Clear skies and Sunny. Temp in low 60's w/ breezeBreakfast: Vanilla CIB, Strawberry PoptartsLunch: Twix, Oat n' Honey, Trailmix, Bananna Chips, Pink LemonadeDinner: Hamburger Helper Bacon Cheeseburger, OCP, FDR, FPGTrail Conditions: Well maintained, rocky at times, steep of course.Animals: Flies, Butterfly, Moth, birdsPeople: Spoon (SOBO hiker who'll finish this weekend), John & Amanda (boyfriend/girlfriend attempting a thru), Simon, Roy & Jennifer, Brian & Matt, Shellfish & Sunpig.We had clear skies and cool temps in the high 30's last night. It was one of the best nights sleeps I've had on the trail so far. I broke camp a little late today, but still a good hour before everyone else left.The days hike started steep and stayed that way for a good 8 miles. I hit Bly Gap around 1030 and crossed my first state line! Woohoo! I was so stoked I sang "Come Sail Away" in a crappy Cartman voice, at the top of my lungs. Then I ran into John & Amanda who thought me a bit odd at first, because of the singing. Oh well. The climb out of Bly Gap was very long and super steep. I will refer to this section of trail, as the "Blessed Hell Ride" (BHR for short). I arrived at Muskrat Creek Shelter and hung out for about 1.5 hours. I then pushed on to Standing Indian Shelter. The last five miles of the day were gravy. Bly Gap TreeWe got to SIS early and aired out our gear and I cooked a humongous dinner. John, Simon, and I came to the general conclusion that the pre-cooked, packaged ground beef I have is kind of sketchy. It is the beef version of Spam. A SOBO hiker named Spoon stopped by. He started in Maine on August 25, 2003, took some time off during the winter, and is wrapping up his hike this weekend. Congratulations Spoon. View from Bly GapFor my foot I am taking a powerful anti-inflammatory that can cause sensitivity to sunlight. So I guess hiking in the sun ain't the brightest idea (pardon the pun)? Anyways, I am getting a good rash on my arm and it is quite itchy. I am thinking it is poison ivy, but everyone else thinks it is not based on the blisters. Tommorrow I will hike fully clothed to avoid sun contact and will try and see a doctor when I am in town next. Ooooh...I'm soooo ScaredWe have a full shelter tonight. There is a sign warning of a bear in the area "That displayed no fear of humans." Whatever. John is packing a Colt 45 and I have a size 12 full grain leather hiking boot for its nuts if it comes by. I'll let you know what unfolds tonight, tommorrow. Bye.One Year ReflectionI enjoyed the first of 13 celebrations that day. I crossed my first state line! It was a great day for hiking. Not too hot, not too cold, and a slight breeze to keep me from sweating.I had seen so many pictures of that beat up wood sign that says "NC/GA" I could hardly believe it when I saw it. It was more of a dream come true for me, and a real confidence boost, to have made it that far on my bum foot. Actually, it had been feeling great for the past several days. Since no one was around to snap my mug, I finagled a self-portrait. In celebration I triumphantly shouted, cheered, made lame Eric Cartman impersonations, and other assorted and odd noises. Not more than several hundred yards ahead were Snatchy & Monk (who I had yet to meet). They looked at me somewhat odd, as they heard my weird callings before ever seeing me. I just tooled on past.I strolled into Muskrat Creek Shelter in early the early afternoon and rested for quite some time. Sundog & Shellfish were still packing up for the day and smoking like chimneys. They were hilarious to talk with and I enjoyed their company. I don't think they even decided to hike that day...instead they unpacked their stuff and reset up camp. Haha.I hiked the rest of the day with Simon and we rolled into camp pretty early. Snatchy & Monk showed up shortly there after and we made our introductions, and laughed about my theatrical production earlier in the day.We were all sitting around and this kinda quiet dude with a huge beard strolled into camp. I was still a newbie and didn't recognize him as a thru-hiker. But, Spoon was completing the final miles of his hike and had about 5 days to go. It was motivational to say the least. As I started to think about it more that night, it was a great affirmation that the trail could in fact be completed.