We made it to Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT, in the clouds. We could see absolutely nothing except for a very brief moment when the clouds lifted.
The Smokies are incredibly beautiful. We walked through what must have been old growth hemlocks. Although, someone said they were not hemlocks but something similar. The forest was thick and very green.
Red Eye's hitched a ride into town, and just returned with some crazy stories. You can never believe his stories. He was showing us a note from a waitress with her phone number. Stranger said that he asked her for her number and she refused. He did not stop asking until she agreed to give him a non working number.
Red Eye's is getting more and more erratic. He smokes dope all day lon and has been taking something else too. Road Rash thinks it might be benzos. Red Eyes is doing lots of crazy stuff that will likely result in an injury. He climbs on shelters to take pictures. He runs down the trail or he stagers down the trail. Its like a train wreck that is about to happen. None of us think he will make it to Maine. We all think he will be injured at some point.
I've talked a lot to Shamrock lately. I really like him. He just retired from the national guard with 27 years. I think he is about my age. He's putting in about the same mileage as we are.
The terrain of the Smokies has become tough. It looks like secions are graded for pack animals. Those are the easy parts. Everything else pounds you feet and knees.
I've acquired a few minor blisters on my right foot. I do not think there is anything you can do to prepare your feet for the trail. The rocks and roots and steep declines tear your feet up. Nearly everyone has foot problems of some kind. I think those that do not manage their foot problems well do not stay on the trail.
I've also spent a lot of time talking to Doc, a former drug counselor. The agency he worked for in FL downsized due to budget cuts. Doc los
t his job a
nd is in the process of losing his house.
No comments:
Post a Comment