[at-l] I was just wonderin....

[Felix J]

David Addleton wrote:

> that's EXACTLY what clyde axed for and me too if I'd been thinking 
> about it . . .


and....8 years ago today...this happened:
 I made good time to Cold Spring Shelter. Again, it was too cold to stop 
anywhere.
It was 15 degrees at the shelter, according to one of the college 
students that were
 taking up far more than their share of the room. I ate a quick snack on 
the table next to the shelter, and was on
my way. It didn't snow or rain any on this day, but it never did get
above 20º.  I ate lunch inside the restroom at Wayah Bald. (Hey, I was
'resting' in the 'rest'room. Alright?) There were lots of dayhikers out
on this day. As I neared Winding Stair Gap, I made a deal with myself
that if somebody was at the parking lot and they offered me a ride, I'd
take it. I was thinking it was time for another series of showers.
Before I even got to the road, a woman offered me a night at her house.
(Well, her husbandido was standing there, too). "Do you have a
shower?"...

This is where I met the guy I named 'Tank'. That deaf, dumb and blind 
kid named Tommy
 could have Tuckerized Tank's pack. All I shall say is he had 13 MREs 
with him. He was the nephew
of the people who had given me the ride and place to stay. He was going 
to thru-hike, starting on New Year's Day
He was, quite simply the most over-supplied/over-geared person I've ever 
seen. And, I'll never forget his aunt
asking me if I had shampoo when I went to take a shower.