May's Journal Entries
May 2, 1998
Well, the events of the last few days have been amazing. I have been unable to write
because I placed my journal at Big Bald Shelter for use as a shelter resiter.
Shelter resiters are typically spiral notebooks in shelters where you can check the status
of hikers ahead. It is the basic line of communication. Hikers record
thoughts, feelings, observations, songs, poems or just how the day of hiking was going.
I rigged my journal with a pen holder and put my address in it. When
registers are full, they are replaced, hiked out, and sent to the owner. I hope I
receive mine.
A day or two ago, Skiddah and I began a late hiking day, but bad weather soon came. As we hike over Big Bald, the lightning whipped up. I know, I know, first rule of hiking: don't cross the highest point of a Mountain in a lightning storm. VIOLATION #1. If it's a bald and you have metal hiking poles, be particularly careful. VIOLATION #2. When I got to the top of Big Bald, the fog was so thick, I lost the trail. After running around frantically, I found the trail and caught back up with Skiddah, who had just had the same experience. Our adrenelin was flowing, and we felt lucky to be alive. We headed for the shelter, content to spend the night, do a short day in the morning and take Marty up on her offer. The rain was taking its toll on our spirits.
In the morning we woke early so that we could meet Marty by 11:00. The post office in Erwin, a nearby town closed at 12:30. When we got to Spivey Gap, we weren't sure which way to go, so I took the right, and Skiddah the left. She found Marty's home right @ 11:00 and they came to pick me up. Marty was as great as before and offered us the small cabin behind her home. Free lodgings can't be passed up. So on to Erwin for laundry and resupply.
We got a hitch back to the cabin in a black Jaguar, that's right, a jag. When Trail Magic rains, it pours.
The cabin is unbelievable. It sits 20 feet from both a pond and a trout stream. It's picturesque. Inside is a big room with couches, a fireplace, great wall hangings, books, magazines, pictures, a full kitchen, a bathtub (though the water doesn't fill up, but who's complaining!!!) Microwave, wooden coutertop, copper sink, loft with a feather bed. This is true luxury!!!
Outside the pond is closely guarded by a fierce goose named "Blue Eyes" that has found a liking to attacking Skiddah. Of course, there is an ample supply of wood and a couple of rocking chairs.
This place is heaven. We signed the guest register, Thanking Marty for her hospitality. Marty had gone out of town for the weekend. Tomorrow, we resume our hike.
May 3, 1998
We just couldn't seem to leave the cabin. I cooked a huge pasta dinner with items
that were growing in Marty's garden. made bacon and eggs in the morning. We
finally packed up by about 4:30 to get a few miles in. As we started out, it began
to pour. So, we ducked under a farmer's garage. As we waited out the storm, we
gave thought to another night at the cabin. We were only a half mile up the road.
No more rain; we couldn't take it. Then, suddenly, the clouds broke and the
sun came through.
We hiked and night hiked to the shelter and set up camp in the dark. Skiddah saw a bear along the way, but I missed it. My stomach seems to be getting worse. It's tough to keep any food in.
May 4, 1998
We hiked to the Nolichucky camp grand just outside of Erwin. We stopped at Uncle
Johnny's Hostel, where thru-hikers had been sucked in for days and days. We managed
to pack up, though, and head out with Wandering Bear and Hawkeye who had been stuck there
for 3 days.
We hiked 1.3 miles from the Hostel to the campground and found Crackerjack and GooGooMug drinking a couple beers. Oh no!!! Help!! Erwin is sucking me in! After a few beers we all decided to head to KFC for all you can eat.
Got a great hitch back from a guy who owns 125 acres outside of Erwin and places people in new businesses in the area.
Stomach is REALLY bad now. I think I may have Giardia. I called the Doctor and got some pills. Very dehydrated. Hitched into town. As I walked into the pharmacy as the pharmacist yelled "Hey Hiker!" Popped over to the convenience store to buy Gatorade. An older guy walked up and asked if I were a hiker. He told me to put down the Gatorade... it was cheaper down the road. He took me to Food Lion and said take my time. His name was George Osborne, and was a member of the Tennessee/Eastman Hiking Club. He offered to take me to lunch and wanted me to have his homemade birch hiking stick. He took me to the campground and wished me a good trip. Said he wanted a picture from Katahdin. He was a true trail angel. I ate my food, drank sour gatorade, and decided to hike out in my dehydrated condition.
May 5, 1998
Made it to Indian Grove Gap... 7 mi. Camped with Scoker and Coda James and Orkney.
Great Campsite and a great fire.
May 6, 1998
Very weak...hiked 18 miles to catch Skiddah , Wandering Bear and Hawkeye.
Dehydrated. Great campsite though. Should eat. Hawkeye's Birthday.
Hiked up Beauty Spot, saw Minnie Pearl and Tigger doing a slack pack from Erwin.
Grabbed Gatorade at Moffits Grocery... .5 mi off the trail.
May 7, 1998
Woke up to rain with Skiddah. Cooked breakfast went back to bed. Slept in late
and woke up again to sun. Hooray!!! Packed up dry, but it began to storm as we left.
When we hit the first knob, the heavy rains came. Torrential. Very scary being on top. I screamed to Skiddah, "Are you Miserably Happy!!" The rain dried a bit as we approached Roan Mountain, the last place the trail goes over 6000 ft until New England. We climbed up Roan.
About half way up the hail began and the cold. I grabbed a tree to get out of the 2nd and violent hail downpour.
Made it to Roan Shelter, wet and cold. Missed Trail Magic of dogs and chicken by a couple of hours.
May 8, 1998
Hiked down Roan, up Carvers Gap, over Hump and little Hump. No rain until late in
the day, but 45 mile an hour winds on the balds. Tough to stand up straight.
Blown off the trail.
The views were amazing, though. Magical.
Made it to Elk Park. Staying at the trailside hotel with Skiddah. No laundry but good eats and a bathroom.
May 9, 1998
Hiked with Hawkeye, Wandering Bear and Skiddah through rolling hills and pastures today to
Laurel Fork.
"Inch" and "Waits for Inch" shoved up and built a fire. Great nite!!
May 10, 1998
Hiked to Laurel Creek Campground. Crazy Campground. Too many rules. 12 bucks
and a hot tub, so whose complaining. The food was expensive.
Great little cabins. We all suspect that the place is being run by Nazi's, though.
May17, 1998
Sitting in a shady spot in Damascus, VA right now. Haven't written in awhile, so I
need to catch up.
AFter the night at the campground we all started the big push to Damascus for Trail Days, an annual Thru-Hiker festival. Quick stop in Hampton, Inn for lunch but about 3-4 days to Damascus.
The terrain is called the "Flat-Yo" because of it's hiking ease. But make no mistake there are still some very big climbs. Camped by Watauga Lake one night. Many people have been night hiking because of the full moon.
Caught up to Skiddah the day before Damascus. Still suffering from stomach woes, but on the road to recovery. Got to Damascus on Thursday late after noon. It was already crazy here.
Ate good food, had a number of reunions. Skiddah's sister, Chandra came up for the weekend. Took us to town. Needs some supplies. Broke down and bought as really small walkman from K-Mart. I miss the Prairie Home Companion and NPR too much!!!
Attended the talent show... It was funny and entertaining. Got a lot of addresses, but am anxious to hike again.
TWO MILESTONES: TN/VA State Line (My 4th State) and crossed the 400 MILE MARK!!!