Day 34

Saturday, April 4, 2009
Day 34

Weather:
Sunny and warm. No rain.

Today’s Hike:
Spring Mtn. Shelter to Jerry’s Cabin Shelter - 15.4 miles

After a windy, chilly evening Muster and I were back on the trail by 8:25 am this morning. The quicker I got moving, the quicker I would warm up.

About 4 miles after leaving Spring Shelter we came to a parking lot. According to the AT Companion there was a gas station 1.7 miles east of the trail. The thought of a cold Coke was quite tempting. After a short debate we decided not to walk the extra miles given we already had 15.4 miles mapped out for the day. So, we pushed on until we hit a sign about 50 yards ahead of our previous debate. The sign read "Trail Magic" And provided directions to a location 350 yards east where we would find cokes, juices, waffles, vegetarian chili, and an array of desserts. We looked at each other, "Lets do it", and we turned east.

When we reached the end of a steep driveway we saw some fellow thru-hikers coming down, and they informed us that it would be wonderful. We made our way up the driveway and were greeted by a beautiful log cabin and Heidi; a Golden Retriever/Poodle mix who wanted nothing more then to play fetch. A post on the top of the porch wore an AT sign, and the porch was lined with backpacks, trekking poles, and hiking boots lending assurance we were entering into a thru-hikers domain. Fal, a thru-hiker in 2000 quickly came out to greet us. After exchanging introductions and removing our packs and shoes we entered the cabin to find several other fellow thru-hikers, and Fals husband, Hercules, who also thru-hiked in 2000.

Hercules greeted us with a menu of drink options, chili's (vegetarian or meat), and a 10-day weather forecast. After requesting a Coke, we joined the rest of the hikers and were quickly served our first course, a giant Belgium waffle, and it was delicious! Our second course of vegetarian chili soon followed. As we both lapped up the last spoonfuls of the fantastic mixtures of diced zucchini, mixed beans, tomato's and other yummy veggies we were given a list of desert choices; gingerbread and baked apple upside-down cake with ice cream, apple crumb cake with ice cream, brownie sundae, or a fully loaded banana split. Decisions, decisions. We decided to share a brownie hot fudge sundae. Yummy!

A little over an hour later we gave many thanks to our gracious trail angels, and with overfull bellies we departed on our way.

The rest of the day was long and warm. I remained full until late that evening when we reached camp at 8:15pm.