Flip Flop Hikers: Sprout Day 56 (Sunday, May 22nd, 2016)

Last night we stayed at a shelter with bunch of Boy Scouts who were training for their trip to Philmont in 6 weeks. They were a great group of guys and we were happy to see them out preparing for their trip. We like seeing Boy Scouts out on the trail because it reminds us of Poppa Lip and how he used to do the same thing with his troops. Good luck guys and hope you have a great time in Philmont! Today they were heading to a crossing road and we were heading past that to the next shelter. We kept passing each other most of the morning and chatted a little each time. I know they're ready for summer to start so they can get more backpacking time in.

When we were walking down to the road a guy was waking up and asked how long we've been on the trail. Bubbles and I were with Toesack and Hazben and we all told him our story. He said follow me, I’ve got some magic for you at my truck. It was the best surprise and much needed because today was very steep and at some points we had to rock climb to the next blaze. We got to his truck and he pulled out some chairs and asked if we were hungry, and of course, we were hungry! We started off with a honeybun and he made us all hotdogs. He also had pop, chips, and cookies. It was perfect! He warmed up slaw for the dogs and fed us until we couldn't eat anymore! He played a lot of great music and chatted with us the whole time. We had some conversations about different musicians and talked about the trail and the history that surrounds the Appalachian Trail. He hiked the trail a few years ago and was very knowledgable about some of the history. We wanted to stay there forever and live in the moment but we eventually had to get moving. The lemon squeezer was still ahead of us during our last two miles of the hike today.

We got back on the path and hiked only two more miles before we saw four more chairs and a cooler with fruit! I think the trail is being nice to us today, which is good, because it's been a tough day already! As we were sitting there enjoying the fruit the guy who left the trail magic showed up to resupply the cooler. He was a great guy who lives about 16 miles away and comes and resupply the cooler every few days. Thank you for thinking of the hikers! That apple was perfect and it helped keep me going.

I was hiking with Toesack most of the day and Maggie was with Hazben. We were all sticking together to help each other out. Right before we got to the Lemon Squeezer we crossed a little gravel road coming from a lake. A car passed and stopped to talk to me and Toesack about our journey. They had two small kids and eventually want to hike the trail with them when they were old enough. As they were getting ready to pull off they got out of the car and gave us some chips, salsa, Gatorade, and yogurt. It's crazy how much trail magic we got today! It was the day of magic!

The Lemon Squeezer was exactly how it sounded! A tight fit between huge rock walls. I had to take my bag off and carry it over my head. It was a fun obstacle and we were excited because we've watched a few videos of people hiking through the squeeze.

After the squeeze we headed to the shelter. We were tired and ready to be done for the day. We stayed at Fingerboard Shelter. It felt good to get to camp, eat, and lay down. I'm happy with today, as we had a lot of challenges but made it! It was one of the most physically demanding days of the hike but also one of the most fun days! We met so many great people and were treated to some much needed trail magic along the way! Thank you to everyone that helped make our day better we needed it on a day like today.