Hiking Trail Journals

Appalachian Trail 2003 - Chelsea's Journals

Entry #69 - June 10, 2003

Happy Birthday, Sheryl! Hope it is (was) a good one! :))

Woke up at 7, ready for the breakfast. Went down to where it all was and there were tons of hikers waiting - maybe 20 or more. Was awhile before evreything was ready, but after a bit we had coffee, rolls, bread, jelly, eggs, pancakes, bacon & sausage. Yum! So, we got going later than we should have.

A pretty normal day - nice & sunny again, thank God. One strange thing did happen, though. About a mile before the first shelter, I was following Andy with my head looking down at the Trail. All of a sudden, right at my feet, I saw a raccoon on the side of the Trail! I screamed, startled by the thing. I backed away & yelled to Andy. He had already passed right by, and not even noticed it! We stared at the thing as it just sat on it haunches looking about. "It must be rabid!" I decided. It sat & licked itself & chewed on its fur. I ended up walking around that section, and warned Loser & Mothman who had come up behind us. Once we were on our way again, I couldn't help but keep an eye behind me, thinking the thing was going to come chasing after me like Cujo.

After a break at the shelter, we had a long 3,000 foot climb. Decided to stop pretty early a field campsite - a 12 mile day. Tomorrow, 10 miles from here, there's a shuttle that picks up hikers and brings them for a free lunch at the Dutch Haus B & B. I love free food.

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