[at-l] lee marvin

[Felix J]

1/3/99...12 years ago today...and, my dad's 57th birthday, was just cold
and no rain. I cruised along pretty good.  I stopped at Blue Mt. Shelter and talked
to three kids from Alabama. I said "Ain't 'Got You Where I Want You' a great song?"
One of the kids said "Hey, I saw them in concert New Year's Eve." I thought that
was cool. The more we talked, the more I found out about them. I actually have met
their grandmother. she lives in Bloomington. Small world, of course.

I hiked on. When I got to Hogpen Gap parking lot, a man there asked me
if I was 'going camping'. I said "Yup. Couple more days anyway." The
Trail was covered in chunks of ice for several miles through this stretch.
I had this picture taken on Cowrock Mtn (http://Felixhikes.tripod.com/AT/cowrock.jpg)
It was about 5:05 when I got to Neel's Gap. The store was closed. I looked in and
somebody came over and opened the door. There were three people inside counting money
and prepping the store for closing. They let me warm up and drink coffee. It was
FREEZING out. My beard thawed. They gave me a can of pop. I started up Blood Mt.
right at dusk. There were people, and fires, all over the rocky summit of Blood Mt.
I was listening to the Packers/Niners game and the radio and didn't even stop at
the shelter. Did I mention that it was cold? AND, windy.

I got to the shelter turn-off for Woodshole. I almost passed it because
there wasn't a sign for southbounders>:-|   I walked for what seemed
like miles down the blue-blaze. I stopped two times and nearly turned
around.  When I got to the shelter, I was amazed to find two other
bodies inside. One was awake. We talked a bit as I was setting up for
the night. Did I mention it was freezing? I asked if they were just out
for the weekend. The guy I was talking to said "Naaah. We're
thruhikers." "Northbounders?" I asked. "No."  "Who the hell are you?" I
asked, thinking that all the southbounders ahead of me were long gone.
"I'm QP. That's Windbraker."  "No F***ing way.  I've been following you
guys for 5 months." We had a nice chat that night. I felt like they were
my long-lost brothers. (I knew that they weren't, however, because my
long-lost brothers are both in prison) It got down to 5º or less that
night. 5º is cold.

-- 
Felix J. McGillicuddy
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"
ALT '03 KT '03
http://Felixhikes.tripod.com/