Trip Miles: 81.40
Patriot's Day, Boston Marathon, Sox!
We had another hiker come into camp last night, Natalie from
Nashville via the Washington D.C. area. She had started her hike on 4/5,
but had to take a break due to illness and is just getting back on the
trail. We hiked out while she was packing up.
A lot of P.U.D.' S today (pointless ups and downs: see trail notes) over the course of ten miles. We didn't see many other hikers today, a few section hikers going south and two NOBO's (north bound) outpacing us. I caught up to Mike after climbing one of the many rises and he looked at me and said, "I like pushing it on the inclines, it gives me a bit of a workout." A BIT OF A WORKOUT! Definitely putting rocks in the boy's pack tomorrow.
A lot of P.U.D.' S today (pointless ups and downs: see trail notes) over the course of ten miles. We didn't see many other hikers today, a few section hikers going south and two NOBO's (north bound) outpacing us. I caught up to Mike after climbing one of the many rises and he looked at me and said, "I like pushing it on the inclines, it gives me a bit of a workout." A BIT OF A WORKOUT! Definitely putting rocks in the boy's pack tomorrow.
We crossed into N.C. around noontime, took a few pics at the sign and at the old gnarly tree not far from the border. Our plan was to make it to Muskrat Creek Shelter (81.4 miles) and we
stuck with it, though we both thought we could have gone further. Easy
does it.
I'm glad we stayed here. Up a blue blaze trail (a side trail off the AT) there was an airplane crash sight with a lot of wreckage still among the trees. Kind of a spooky place. Beyond that was the most beautiful overlook we had seen yet. Just spectacular! We sat there quite a while soaking it in.
I'm glad we stayed here. Up a blue blaze trail (a side trail off the AT) there was an airplane crash sight with a lot of wreckage still among the trees. Kind of a spooky place. Beyond that was the most beautiful overlook we had seen yet. Just spectacular! We sat there quite a while soaking it in.
We all sat
around a fire pit talking about the day and having some laughs about
what we thought this hike would be like. Everyone began with their own
preconceived notion of how it would be, but it seems each of us
underestimated the difficulty and the pleasure of the hike.
Well, it's after nine. Time for bed. Bye for now.
I remember meeting up with the guys when they took a water break and it was so nice to have someone to talk to for a few minutes during my hike. They had left before I got up (mostly cause I was afraid to talk to them so I waited till they left)...I was sad that I wasn't able to keep up with them and hoping I could catch up later. I was sure they would be hiking too far ahead of me but was so happy when I walked into the shelter and saw them sitting there!!
ReplyDeleteNotes from that day: Day 17: the 11 mile hike was awful but met and hung out with the coolest people!!! Mike and John were the son and father...Janice, Sista, Edward?, Ginkco, boot scoot, katanerrry...we sat around the campfire all night talking and laughing and just telling hiking stories!!! I didn't want the night to end!!! My heels are killing me...like the tendon...asthma is awful!!! I don't know if I can keep going...supposed to storm tomorrow...please heal me!!! Oh today I finally learned to stop and rest and enjoy the beautiful quiet around me...I stopped at this spot and sunbathed and just relaxed and met double t and wired and floss. I want to be able to keep going but don't know if I can physically do it. My toe is killing me...I don't think I can keep going. And I am beyond angry. A failed dream because of physical limitations.