Day 19

Weather:
Partly cloudy, no rain.

Today's Hike:
Cheoah Bald to Cody's Gap - 10.7 miles

Last night we had hoped to see the sunset from the top of the bald, but a light rainstorm ushered us into our tents at around 6pm. Around 7:30, the only water hitting the tent fly was was the water falling from the trees above. I stepped out to dry off the tarp, hoping to still see the sunset. Instead I stepped out into a cloud. The entire bald was a shade of mist, spectacular in it's own right. Around 11pm, Cindi and I both woke from a have dazed slumber and stepped out of the tent and were welcomed by the view of a clear sky and stars so bright that the looked like dancing fireflies.

When we woke in the morning, the temperture had dropped tremendously. The thermometers on our packs read 25 degrees. The tent and the forest floor we covered in stingingly cold, but glistening ice crystals. The sun was rising in the east, filling the sky with beautiful shades of orange, pink, and purple. It was a perfect reminder of a reason why life on the trail is so rewarding.

Trail life is amazing simple, yet never boring. Each day presents new challenges, new surprises , and new rewards. But to understand trail life I think you must first understand trail people. I think there is this assumption held by many non-trail hikers that those who walk the trail are dirty, smelly, patchoulli wearing, pot smoking hippies. Although this may be true for some hikers, overall, it is far from reality. We have both been amazed at the diversity of people that are on the trail. Doctors, lawyers, civil engineers, retirees from a variety of backgrounds, war veterians, students, father daughter/son teams.... the list goes on. There are only 2 things all AT hikers have in common; (1) we are all eccentric in our unique way - the more ecentric you are the more memoriable you'll be. Like the person we've collectively named go-go gaitors girl or the famous Minnesota Smith whose very mention of his name makes many cringe in their boots. (2) we all share the same crazy inner impulse to hike 2,175 miles from Georgia to Maine.