April 7, 2001
Today was a beautiful day. Bright sunny weather and perfect temperatures. I thought the temps were perfect, which means that other people started complaining that it was too hot.
It was a comfortable 11.7 miles of up and down from Mollies Ridge Shelter to Derrick Knob Shelter. I think that we are in transition. Twelve miles doesn't feel like a lot ( though up and down is still a long day), 14 miles feels about right, and anything more feels impossible right now.
Today we crossed over Rocky Top Mountain—the true TN Rocky Top. Double-Time and I gave a moving rendition of Rocky Top the song for Redneck and Timber Ghost—all 4 verses. We drank a toast of iodized water to our friend Dirty Joe from Camp High Rocks.
The other highlight of the day was seeing 2 deer grazing in our toilet area by the shelter. They came very close, and even the flash from everyone's cameras didn't frighten them away.
I think that today was so much better because Redneck gave me Compeed from my blisters. It was like having new feet. He, Double-Time, and I hiked together all day.
Last night some real rednecks stayed with us in the shelter. One of them had a hunter orange cap, bear bells on his boots, and an 82-pound pack. He wanted to leave his lantern burning all night to keep the animals away. Tonight we're camped with four high school boys from Chattanooga. Good kids. I overheard one of them say, "I can't wait until I'm old enough to be a thru-hiker."
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