May 24th: Dismal Creek Falls

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Short version. I have just spent about an hour doing my daily entry. Due to the
way I hold my fingers, I deleted the entire thing :-( So I will try to do it
again.
Even though the tent was at a weird slant and we both ended up scrunched to
the low end of the tent, sleep was ok. CC wanted me to try boiling the water for
breakfast in the tent. This way she could have a warm tent to get ready for the
days walk. Those of you who know me well, know I am not the most graceful
person. CC kept after me to, “Be careful and not tip the pot.” Then when she went
for something in her pack, over went the pot. All the hot water headed for the
lowest corner while CC quickly kept the stove from melting anything. Thirty plus
years of being married have taught me a thing or two. Even though I wanted to
laugh out loud, I knew better. CC was quite upset and I tried to tell her it was
only hot water. The second go-round went much better and we made it out of camp
by 8:30AM.
Up we went as normal, from 3,382' at Sugar Run Gap to 3,860' at Big Horse Gap.
We ran over a bunch of PUDS until we had done about six miles and reached the
Wapiti Shelter. We had planned to do lunch here but when we arrived at the sign
we were unsure. The shelter was not visible from the trail. There were two packs
leaning against the pole and no one in sight. CC decided to walk a short
distance up the trail for a look see. She saw the building and announced we
would dine at the shelter picnic table. Off we went up the short hill to the
shelter.
In early March as we were prepping for the hike, our daughter Micki called from
Rochester, NY. Her father-in-law had brought her a Sunday paper that had a story
of a retired school teacher from the area who was departing to attempt the AT.
Some of my ham radio friends also told me of the article. Micki was all excited
and told us about her story. She exchanged a few E-mails with the woman telling
her about us and how grand it would be if we could meet on the trail. Her trail
name is "The Bag Lady" and she is doing a traditional south to north hike
starting in GA. We are doing the nontraditional Flip-Flop, starting in WV going
south. We have checked her web page a few times and have seen her picture and
read some of her blogs. We met "Willing & Able" a few days ago, they had walked
with TBL in TN. Micki had told us TBL had left the trail to attend her daughter’s
wedding in CA. We were not sure how long she would be gone or where she came
off. Would we pass her point of restarting before she came back? Would we be in
town somewhere and pass each other or any of the hundreds of ways three people
might miss one another on this 2,174 mile trail?
As we walked up to the building a small woman with curly hair came around the
corner. CC tentatively asked, "Are you The Bag Lady?" She replied, “Yes!” There was
a quick exchange of our trail names then there were hugs, much laughing and
about an hour of story swapping. We had been so close to missing her.
Willing & Able had told us TBL had returned to the trail and we knew we were
close.
We had three things on our To-Do list for this trip besides completing the
hike.
1 - Attend Matthew's graduation 9 Jun
2 - Attend Micki's second child’s birth in Sep
3 - Try and meet "The Bag Lady" from Rochester, NY

Now we only have two things on our list left. While talking to TBL, she said we
needed to stop at Dismal Creek Falls for the night if possible. They were
beautiful and a great spot to enjoy the water. CC has been looking for just such
a spot. I had wanted to pass them and do another two miles and get a cushion on
our Damascus deadline. CC insisted and as it is HER hike I gave in, besides it
would make 11 miles. That is a bit above what we need to average to make
graduation on time.
TBL was right, the falls are great. We have an almost flat tent site and the
falls will lull us to sleep tonight. Washed socks and a shirt, soaked the ankles
in the cold water and am settled in for the night. Tomorrow we will walk off
another map in the early morning. Only two more for VA. We will eat supper at
Jenny Knob Shelter, 8.7 miles from here. Then we will push on to Bushy Mtn or
further. I would like to get 12 -13 miles in tomorrow.
Today we completed our 408th mile and have been back on the trail for 30 days.
CC wanted me to add a few things. Today we walked through many Rhododendren
tunnels that seem to go for miles. We also saw a very small lime green snake.
Don't know what kind it was, but it was not poisionous. Well that is it for
today.


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

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