June 21-25, 2011

June 21, 2011
Psalm 24

The earth is the Lords. And it is beautiful. The longest day of the year and in some ways it has been for me as well. The morning began early about 6:30am. I got up and fixed breakfast, Oatmeal. I headed out for Laura Falls shelter. According to my map some 8 miles away but the sign in the shelter said 11 miles. I was hoping my map was correct but alas. I began my climb up Pond Flats at 1900 feet and did the three mile climb to the top with few problems. I ate lunch on the top at 3700 ft. and then proceded to climb down back to 1900 feet. I have no idea why they took us up this hill only to bring us back to the same altitude we left from and only about two miles away. Oh well it was good exercise. When I reached the bottom I was so exhausted. I had not drank enough water so I immediately pump me a two leter bottle full and I would not leave until I had finished the whole think. The sign at the cross roads said 1 mile to the shelter so I headed out. At the one mile marker on my GPS I finally reached the path that led to the shelter but the shelter was up a steep hill another mile. So when I checked my GPS when I reached the shelter, it was indeed 11 miles. I crashed slept for 1/2 hour without even empting my back-pack. I got up and made dinner and I had cell service. Called my wife and let her know I was ok. Then I checked the weather! Radar show a big rain taking place all night and into the morning. I learned there is a Hostel 2 miles south of the shelter. Better to be in a hostel in a thunder storm where there are 4 sides and bathrooms than a shelter that only has three side and the closest thing to a bathroom is a fallen tree many rain soaked feet from the shelter.

So I repacked and made it to the shelter around 7:30pm. So now it can rain all night. I am in a safe place but without cell coverage. Boy am I tired. Total distance today was 13.6 miles. Tomorrow will be a much shorter day, I hope.

God,
Thank you for a safe day with lots of beautiful things to see. Who is the King of glory? You are. Amen.

June 22, 2011
Psalm 25

A couple of verses stick out in this Psalm. Verse 7 begins "Remember not the sins of my youth." Then in the next sentence he asks God to "remember me." This writer has a good understanding that my sins or my past do not define who I am now. God you know who I am now. God you know what's in my heart. You know me inside and out. Remember me. A powerful Psalm. Lord remember me.

I made it to the hostel last evening and met the Owner Bob Peoples. Bob has a passion for the AT trail and for those who walk it't path. He tries to meet every person who uses the hostel which is a two story log cabin at the back of his home. He asks for donations and suggests $4.00. He allows hikers a chance to wash clothes and shower so this morning my sweat soaked clothes are nice and clean as am I. The rain has not materialized yet. It is raining but not heavy and as of yet no thunderstorms. I have no cell reception so I am unable to check radar.

Today's hike is a short 5.6 miles to the Moreland Shelter. I could try for the Mountaineer Shelter some 15 miles away but seeing that I am just beginning to get my "Mountain Legs" beneath me, I think I will be happy with just 5.6 miles. We will see if the weather will allow me to go.

Lord, Thank you for remembering Me. Amen.

PM. Well my short 5.2 mile hike turned into at 7 mile hike. I am not sure how they measure in TN but my GPS says 7 miles. 5 of those miles were up hill. Needless to say I am exhausted but satisfied with the days travel. I made it here around 4 and there was no rain. My number one worry. I am away from a hostel so it is what it is. two people at the shelter have built a beautiful fire and we are sitting around sharing stories. It's been a good day.

June 23, 2011
Psalm 26

Rain! Rain! Rain! I woke up at 6:30 this morning and it was raining. Tried to get ready but it was still raining. So I laid back down and it's still raining. It is 11:00 and still raining. I may just try to wait it out here. Only problem is, it is forecast to rain here for the next 4 days. Decisions, Decisions? At least for now gonna try to wait it out. If I wait past 12 o'clock I might as well stay here. Decisions, decisions!

PM. At 1:00 the rain quit. So at 1:30 I headed out for what was a 10.3 miles. I made it here about 7:00. It was a long hike over fairly up and down hills. I must have pushed it on the water however as I am very dehydrated. After drinking water a little too quickly, I ended up with the dry heaves. (My appologies if this is meal time) but once I took a sip and then another, I think I am ok. We will see what tomorrow brings.

June 24, 2011
Psalm 27

How do you spell Appalachian Mountain sickness? I spell it Insomnia, dehydration, and inability to eat. I have all three. I am going to try today to so some serious rehydrating. Hopefully, this will solve the other two problems.

PM. Wow today has been filled with all kinds of emotions. First, it is my son's birthday but with no cell coverage there is no way to send him my best wishes. He makes me a very proud Dad. I did hydrate today like crasy. I drank 5 liters of water on todays 10 mile hike. It seems to have done the job. I am staying at a hostel tonight. The owner took us to a barbecue rib place for dinner. I haven't eaten in two days and tonight and finished off a whole meal and then some. I am beginning to feel like I am getting my mountain legs. Not all the way there yet but a big improvement from where I was a week ago.

I called home tonight to let my wife know all was OK. She informed me that she received news tonight that her job is being discontinued. She was unemployed for two years before finding this job in January of this year. I have made the decision to terminate my sabbaticle plans in order to support her in helping her catch her breath before we move into the job hunt again. Keep her in your prayers.