We shot for a 7:30a leave and got an 8a. We arrived in camp by 4p. That was plenty of time to set up, relax, eat dinner, and soon we’ll go to bed. It’s currently 6:20p. I’m so tired.
We made it 12.5 miles today. It was the first day that was bright and warm, around 77 degrees. Holy cow it was hot. I’m not really looking forward to July heat. Maybe then we’ll have to get up earlier to hike, sort of like one does when he or she is in the desert. I’m pretty sure I burned the tops of my ears. In my head, I just kept hearing my friend Marcella say, “Make sure you get your ears!” But the sunblock was packed deep down into everything and I was being lazy today.
We hiked with David again and will tomorrow as well. He sets a steady pace. I thought “Steady Eddy” might be a good name for him.
We had a fun surprise today. There was an acorn on the trail with a happy face drawn on it. It was hilarious and possibly the highlight of my day. I added moss for hair – kind of a Donald Trump look. It’s the little things, you know.
Part way through the day we passed by a parking lot. A girl was being dropped off by her fiancé and someone else. Her fiancé said, “Lindsay, remember what I told you”. Then gestured with his 2 fingers towards his eyes. Referring to her poles, he said, “Those things are practically weapons.” She was going on solo and he was worried for her. I thought it was incredibly sweet. There’s actually a lot of solo hikers out here, female or otherwise. I know people were worried about our safety even as a double. I’m sure family members of solo hikers are a million times more concerned. However, it’s crazy how fast this place becomes a community. People tend to group up. Even if you don’t walk together, you often meet up at the same place for the evenings. I would still be sure to stay particularly aware of my surrounding if I was solo. I think you’d be foolish not to be. However, having been out here for a week and a half now, I would be much more comfortable with the idea of hiking by myself. In my opinion, the main issue with hiking solo is motivation. How do you beat the mental battles when you aren’t with another hiker to help push you along?
When we were just about at our “absolutely no more please” stage (I was already there), we saw our goal – the GA/NC border!! One state down! We took photos, celebrated in our heads, and walked the partial mile to the established campsites just beyond it. We are at Bly Gap for the night. It’s a small stretch of old road that people can set up on. It’s at the top of a mountain and there’s no privy here, which is a bummer because I need it. Water is down the hill a ways. Ben said someone dammed up the creek and added a leaf as a faucet. There’s also a tree here that’s all twisted. The NOBO (Northbound) hiker book we bought described it as “an often photographed twisted tree.” I felt obligated to take photos.
Ben set us all up while I had to crash for a bit. My feet were killing me. It also allowed my blisters to dry up some. As I was walking, the blister on my left heel cracked open and started to bleed. Tonight I’ll have to sleep with my feet out of my bag to make sure they stay dry. Last night I put the Desitin on them and hoped they’d dry out in the bag, they definitely did not.
Dinner experiment #2: chicken tortilla flavored ramen x2 plus a packet of pepper jack queso powder. It turned out too watery and we should have crunched up the ramen. It was hard to spoon it out. But we got it. Other than those learning curves, we thought it was good. The cheese powder addition totally made it. Last night at the shelter we all joked about a Chopped: Backpacking Edition … “You have 20 minutes with 2 cups of water, tuna, and this mystery ingredient.” In a little bit, I’m sure I would be able to rock that thing.
Our neighbors tonight are Amanda and a different Sam. I apologized for how noisy our sleeping pads are and warned them I shift a lot during the night. Sam said, “Yeah, it’s like I’m in an alligator death roll.” And he mimed like he was rolling in his mummy sleeping bag. I laughed loud, because yes… it is exactly that!
A few tents down is a guy with his dog. I’ve certainly gotten my dog fix out here and tend to be a bit jealous when I see that people brought theirs. Although, the fact that dogs are tick magnets makes me a little glad we are waiting for after the trail to get a pup. Until then, I’ll just be content with loving on the pups I meet like Mattea.
Okay, now to brush our teeth, go to the bathroom, take more photos, and then on to fighting alligators!
-blisters