Sept. 7, ’09 10.9 mi
Ended up at Hurricane Mtn Shelter today; arrived before 3:45 pm, earliest stopping time yet. Slept pretty well last night. On trail by 9:45 am.
Saw 1 deer today. Passed a couple hikers for the 2nd time; saw them yesterday in GHSP, boy & girl. Met Good Times, a hiker in his 60s, out for an overnighter. We met in The Scales, where his truck was parked. He was going to pick some apples before heading home. He also gave me some tips on where to resupply.
At HMS tonight are 3 guys, friends of one another: Daks, Mash & Toe Gem. TG is in his fifties, the other two look like early 30s. All good guys. Daks’ wife went to school @ B.U., he now lives in VA, though Daks is from South Dakota. TG & Mash are from Florida. We all had good stories to tell & Daks had a good fire going. They’re all headed for Damascus, due on Thursday.
One thing I was thinking on shortly after leaving Wise Shelter this morning; how the ppl you meet on the trail help add depth to the hiking experience. After staying with Bob & Anne @ Wise, it felt a bit more like last year’s hike. Everyone’s hike is different, we all have unique perspectives on trail hiking & trail life. By sharing personal thoughts & experiences, depth is added to the hike. Whether we realize it or not, others are helping to fill tiny voids, small subconscious places within our own perspectives, seeping into the cracks of what we’re viewing & gleaning from the trail: mentally, spiritually, physically & emotionally. That thought was bolstered quite a bit with my time with Daks, Mash & Toe Gem. Thanks guys.
Spoke with Beth a bit; got a signal up by the shelter. It was good to hear her sweet voice. She had fun on the bike trip; did about 25 mi & was safe. I need to call Aboman sometime tomorrow.
Click Here To Continue Reading…
~Steve, The Pilgrim.
