TRAIL DAY 55
Fri, Apr 15, 2016 It’s that day. Because it’s a Saturday this year (as I write), we have until the 18th to make our first offer to Uncle Sam as a lawyer once described his “negotiations” with the IRS. This day a year ago passed without notice because my preparations included getting my tax information to my accountant before I left. This year, as I write, I’ve been pushing the limit – but I think I’m finished. I’ll hear the damage on Monday.
Enough of that!
I had made arrangements to stay at The Black Bear Resort (BBR) and knew I had a long day ahead so I got up early enough to take a picture of faint illumination at the eastern horizon through the trees followed by the winking of that awesome orb.
It was another day of a corrugated profile without the central rising mound. I got an early start and made tracks. Don’t ask me how or when but somewhere Highway got ahead of me – not that it was a race but you did tend to note and make the inevitable comparisons our human nature is prone to. Well, I was going to take the lead – he was still at his tent. I really couldn’t figure how he got so far with such a bad leg. I respected his tolerance for pain.
We hiked through brown, dried-out leaves, through rhododendron tunnels, over streams, around twists and turns until we came to a straight section with a view off to our left. Some rugged soul had hauled to this remote spot a handsome, metal-framed park bench with a decorative back inviting us to sit and take in the scene. It was a delightful interlude on the trail. The rugged soul was saying, “There is a common spirit that binds us all together. I have drunk of this cup. You’re turn.”
Having indulged in the beauty of the day, the peaceful scene and the common bond, we moved on, soon to come to a few powerful streams with ideal spots for camping. We saw B-Hiker with a couple others including a robust fellow who professed to be taking the trail at an easy pace but definitely faster than mine.
The woods were almost enchanted and the trail equally so with twists and turns and streams. We ran into a SOBO with a dog and then the Isaac Cemetery couple looking fit and chipper.
My pictures tell me that my prescription glasses had already gotten so fogged up that I had to return them for a new pair under warranty. I had purchased cheap reading glasses in their stead. Pictures also tell me that I had not completed my transition from meat-and-mayo to peanut butter since I see both at a lunch stop along the trail on the left-hand side. We sat on a little rise amidst many branches, Theo uphill from me and, as always, interested in whatever I might offer him.
The trail, though easier, was typical of so many miles in the south. Dirt, leaves, few obstacles, mile-making terrain with the occasional curved descent. We were climbing an extended, modest grade when a German hiker came up behind me. We stopped and chatted. His pack looked like it had supplies for three. It was stuffed to the gills and rose above his covered head. He had shoulder pads under his straps – little wonder.
He was “Uncle-Bob” to his sibling’s children so he took the name on the trail with him. He was clearly in excellent shape and was hiking all over the world including the Appalachian Trail. Uncle Bob has a website which tracks his travels. It’s name in English is World Traveler. Auf Deutsch es ist: weltenbummler68.com. Should you visit the site you can get a passable translation by a Google app at the top right of the screen. There is a picture of me with text under the first “Appalachian Trail 2016 (Uncle Bob)” link.
Uncle-Bob and I hiked together for a while, long enough for me to learn he made a habit of cooking along the trail before he arrived at camp – a conservative method of keeping bears out of camp. He told me then of his many travels but I had no idea how far and wide he went until I visited his site.
For another amazing site with gear reviews and tales of adventure visit thehikinglife.com. This site is driven by “Cam,” sometimes called “Swami,” who must have hiked around 80,000 miles by now. From October 17 to December 28, 2012, he hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, starting in the north and hiking through Hurricane Sandy in New Hampshire.
Somewhere I also came upon a site of a fellow who hiked the circumference of Alaska, most definitely not on established trails. I have looked for it since without success. If anyone finds it, let me know.
I’ll never forget his emotional response at seeing caribou follow their ancient trail south as they had done for hundreds of years. He felt so privileged to witness this phenomenal ritual of nature alone in their wilderness that he had embraced so closely and for so long. Surely he was part of a secret world few had ever seen and perhaps he was the only one to have come here alone and on foot.
In time, Uncle Bob moved on out in front and became a memory.
The trail continued through the beautiful afternoon, coming eventually to a grassy area which led past a log structure. I went over to it and looked in through an opening to an elevate level. There were a number of cockeyed boards with straw on them and a roof overhead that looked intact. Poor Theo thought this was home for the night and pleaded not to be abandoned. If he could have spoken, he would have said, “Don’t leave me down here. If you’re sleeping here, you gotta help me up.”
We past a small pond, came to the paved road to Black Bear Resort (0.4E) and started walking, the sun casting our shadows out in front of us. Road walking is the worst. I’d rather 10 miles in the woods to one on a hard-surfaced road.
Soon I heard a car coming up behind me.
“Want a ride hiker?”
It was the owner of Black Bear Resort. We were there in short order.
A bridge over a trout-stocked river led to the compound. Turning left brought us to a large gravel parking area. A long building backed onto the river, road beyond. At the left end of the long building was the room I’d be in. At the right end was the store which had certain hours of operation. It seemed to be well run and well stocked. Beyond the store was a small building with micro wave, coffee pot, TV, couch – a general hang-out place. Beyond that were the bathrooms and showers and then the owners two-story house. There were also outlying cabins.
I’ll leave any further description to tomorrow when I’ll be taking a zero. Good night for now.
Day #55 Mountaineer Shelter > Black Bear Resort 16.3 miles