.October 13, 2005
I've got an easy day today, just 11 miles. I'm heading south with no big climbs but a fairly long descent at the other end. Another misty, foggy day, but that's OK. About a half hour into the hike I came across Birch Run Shelter. I met a thru hiker named 'Chainsaw'. There was also a man and woman who were section hiking.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ We talked about the trail for a few minutes.
"This is a very nice shelter," I commented.
"It is," said the woman, "but the Quarry Gap Shelter is even nicer."
"I'm heading that way. I guess I'll see it."
"How are you hiking the trail?"
"Well, I'm sort of cheating," I said
"What do you mean?"
"My wife drops me off each day and picks me up on the other end."
"That's not cheating," she said "As long as you hike past every white blaze."
I was glad she saw it this way. Sometimes, but not often, thru hikers or section hikers make you feel if you are being crewed or you are slackpacking, that you are cheating.
They headed north and I headed south. About an hour later I came to another intersection where Snoopy tried to decide which way to go.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Snoopy and I went by a very nice but locked Ranger Cabin.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Later in the day, I came across the Quarry Gap Shelter.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This shelter was immaculate. By far, this was the best cared for shelter that I had seen yet. On one of the walls was a framed note by the caretaker, I think his name was Jim. He obviously takes a lot of pride in caring for this shelter. The shelter looked like it had been painted yesterday. Even the white blazes on the trees just before and after the shelter were perfectly painted. There were lots of well cared for flowers and plants. The shelter was divided into two sleeping areas with a picnic table inbetween. In this area there was a roll-up tarp that could be pulled down to keep out the rain on the back end. To a hiker who has been staying in shelters each night, this must feel like the Hilton.
Shortly after leaving the shelter, the trail started to close in. It was narrow and the branches on the trees covered me. The A.T. is often referred to as the long green tunnel. I definitely felt like I was in it today.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I began my descent down to Caledonia State Park. I met Lynn coming from the other directions.
"I'm glad to see you," she said.
"Why? Is everything all right?"
"Yes, it's just all been uphill. Now I can turn around and go downhill."
We made it back to the park and enjoyed a late picnic lunch.
| 
