"Each moment of the year has its own beauty, a picture which was never before and shall never be seen again."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Start: Pine Knob Shelter
End: Free State Hiker Shelter
Today: 8.0 mi
Total: 30.7 mi
I slept well last night but a police ranger looking for a missing person, added to nobody else at the camp site, topped with sticks cracking in the distance kept Heather awake for a couple of hours. We didn't get on the trail until 9:15 am because I needed to filter some water at the stream.
Stronger legs, a cool morning, and the promise of PIZZA at the next road crossing had me going at a fast clip. The ground switched back and forth from soft, spongy dirt to small, sharp rocks for most of the morning. The dirt portions were so nice to walk you wished they never ended. When they did end you sort of paused there, angry with the trail, but carried on anyway.
After a rocky climb and steep descent we finally came to the road crossing. The sign said .3 miles to the hiker hostel. An image of the Beggin' Strips commercial where the dog says "oh boy...oh boy...oh boy..." came to mind.
The hostel was amazing. A past thru-hiker, his wife and 4 kids lived in the house and the hikers occupied the second floor. We shared the bunks with "One," "Sugar Snap," and "Morning." 17 bunks, a hot shower, air conditioning, internet and snacks made this place seem more like a 5-star resort. Half of a delicious pizza confirmed it!!
~Brian (Daddy Long Legs)
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