4/6

The morning starts very early for some. I choose to get up and read while many others pack. Dad's first night on the trail has been good, but he says he had some trouble sleeping. I rally out of my sleeping bag and teach dad how breakfast on the trail works for me. We leave around 8 and head out into a cold windy day. The views from every mountaintop we are clear, but wind quickly chases us from our views. A day that dad had said was supposed to reach into the 70's is definitely no warmer than the low 60's with wind. Around 11 we stop for lunch. It is now warm enough to cook my usual oatmeal lunch. The wind is inescapable as it tears in between trees and through layers. Our lunch stop is elongated somewhat as I play with the insole in my shoe. It seems to me that my insole is not leaving enough room for my heel while I climb with my toes. Putting on a second pair of socks in hopes that maybe some padding will cushion my heel, seems to only exacerbate the problem. Just to see what will happen, I remove my insoles completely. It is as different as night and day. My foot has enough room at the heel to not out any pressure, the trade off being that my foot now slides around in my boot and may cause blisters. Blisters I can deal with and treat, for now my heel is much better. 

The day continues on and dad and I accompany each other at good pace to the shelter. It is around 4 when we arrive. There is only so much one can do to fill time at a shelter. Between dad and I, we manage to prepare ourselves for the  coming evening and tomorrow. Dinner is instant grits and powdered mashed potatoes. This is the first night on the trail that I have done potatoes. After my first bite I know that I will be packing them in for another night at some point. It is not even 5 when dad and I have nothing to do. 

When I write it is hard not to listen to bunkmates all around me. Many discuss the trail, home, things they wish they had. My favorite however are the random stories. With such a menagerie of ages and types of people from all over, you never really know what kinds of tall tales may be told around the cooking table. Whole careers are discussed by those who are retired, while many younger people merely discuss party's and events attended. All are interesting, some more than others of course. One person can only tell so many stories of close calls and feats accomplished before the listeners mentally call bullshit..

A few people show up late to the shelter and everyone squeezes closer together. They bring news of a storm rolling in tonight to hit around 3am. The storm will bring with it 40mph winds or stronger. I am so glad I managed to get a space in the shelter. Everyone but the late comers bed down for the night before the sun sets. 

I read for a long while and finally my eyes become to heavy to fight through another page.