February 11, 2008

Today's miles: 14.8

I am camped down just past some spectacular waterfalls. I was going to go farther today buuuut found this nice place to camp. I rock-hopped seven streams and waded one stream this morning in the frigid weather (icicles hanging off of rocks and some rocks slick with ice). I didn't fall at all today! It was another sunny, cool day and the wind finally flagged sometime last night. I had lunch up on a ridge in the sunny, grassy intersection of the two long-ago logging roads. My trail routine/ camp setup is starting to become automatic! Finally, only 544 miles after I started!

My food situation is also turning up, once I realized that I had not 5 but 6 pieces of bread left, which gives me a piece of bread with cheese dinner, and 1.5 pieces of bread and pb&j for lunch! I have also been dreaming at least partly of food every night. Last night, it was eating ice cream with Amelia. And I have been scavenging crumbs from my lap when I eat. Mmmm. This is one way to get me to meditate on food.

Water at least has been super-plentiful the last few days, which is a relief. I am worried about crossing the Linville River tomorrow. Especially in the rain. I’ll just see what it is like, I suppose. It would be better to try tomorrow, after a little rain, than after a nightful and morning of rain on Wednesday.

Today was my third day in a row of no coffee or caffeine (other than dark chocolate morsals for breakfast) and I don’t even feel an effect! It probably helps that I am resting about 11 hours each night! After crossing the highway today, and down the logging road, I ran into an older couple with 2 horses who were very aware of the MST. They gave me some advice about the sections ahead and asked how close to completion the trail is. It is so nice to know that people are keeping their eyes on the trail, hoping that it will soon be done. The woman said something to the effect of, “I’m sorta envious” that I can do this. Sort of… Down here in this little hideout, I just passed a HUGE waterfall with sculpted rock and crashing water and I snapped a wholly unjust portrait of it.

It is a chilly night ahead, but maybe a few degrees warmer than last night. I’m keeping my food inside the tent tonight and I hope it doesn’t become a mistake – one ounce of solace is that I don’t have an odoriferous food that would attract animals (bears). Tomorrow, to Tablerock Mtn and Linville Gorge!