May 16th

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Deer wandered through the shelter area as we crawled out of the tent. Hikers
had told us about them the day before and how the place seemed like a petting
zoo the way the deer just kept coming through all morning. The other two guys
who slept in the shelter got up about 4:30AM and were gone by 5:30, an hour
before we got up. I had planned on a 9.4 mile day, but that changed as the day
progressed. The only thing we had to do was get close to Catawba so we could
dash in the next morning for our re-supply box.
Climbing started off the day with a 300' gain to Scorched Earth Gap, then
another 750' to Lunch Box Rock at 3,000'. The incline wasn't too bad, but we were
still in the heavy breathing stage of the game I guess. We passed a few
northbound section hikers on the way up to Tinker Cliffs. This area is dominated
by large sandstone and limestone cliffs and rock formations. We took some nice
shots of overhanging slabs and the likes. The cliffs run about half a mile and
look to the south. We were able to get a photo of McAfee Knob from here. Plus
the ridge (our route) connecting the two. From our vantage point the distance
looked too far for one days walk. We had a fair pace and made the top of the
knob in three hours. A distance of five miles with an elevation drop of 800' and
then a gain of 1050', not bad for seasoned citizens like us.
It was just after noon when we topped the knob. CC was feeling quite good and
asked if our box would be at the PO today. I figured it would be early after the
last one being a little delayed. She suggested we head for town, get the box and
do a few more miles. 4.3 miles later we were trying to hitch a ride the mile
into town. Not having any luck standing on the shoulder with just two hours
before closing, we decided to hoof it. We were about 1/4 mile down the hill when
a car dashed by going up hill, driver had his melon out the window yelling at
us. "I'll go to the top do a flip and run you to town!" More "Trail Magic" and
again the Lord provided what we needed. It was an older guy and his wife, he
asked if we had a box at the PO. Then he told us they were just heading out for
Damascus, VA for Trail Days and would we like to come along. It was a nice idea
but we have already lost enough hiking days and need to stay on the trail.
Besides we are not the big time party sort, so we declined. The box was there and we sorted through what we still had and the new stuff. 20 minutes later our packs had gained weight again with five days more supplies.
There is a small grocery/deli across from the PO, CC said she was hungry for a
sandwich. Off we headed for some hot chow. We each had a toasted turkey sub and
a can of V8. I also took a few minutes to fire off what journal entries I had
ready from the pay phone. The weather had been threatening all afternoon and the
wind was really blowing now. I poked my head in the store to ask where the best
spot to stand and hitch back up the mountain was. The young lady behind the
counter had no idea. There was a man paying for his pizza, he said it was out of
his way but not too far. We jumped in the back of his truck and roared off up
the hill back to the trail. I just love "Trail Magic."
In the parking area we unloaded our stuff just as the first few rain drops
came down. There were a couple of hikers just coming out of the woods from the
direction we needed to go. Greeting and salutations were exchanged then we asked
about nearby sites to throw up a tent. We were in luck, about 1/3 mile up the
trail was a good spot they said. Off we went racing against the rain. Just as
promised there it was just beyond a large tree over the trial. Some quick
scouting, spot identified and now for the fast tent erection competition. We had
it up an everything stowed within seven minutes, including ourselves out of the
rain that had just become serious. Unlike the last time we had to do this, dinner
was not a problem. We had just finished our subs our tummies were full and now
it was time to relax. Things did get somewhat damp while putting up the tent so
I waited until the next night to type this. We did 10.5 miles today, just a
little over one mile more than the plan.

Patrick, Deborah Mooney aka OD & CC
All Who Wander Are Not Lost

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