We had heard that Byrd's Nest #4 had a fireplace in the shelter. Standing in Elkswallow wayside, there were smore packets, hot dogs, and fire logs. Magnolio made the comment about roasting marshmallows, and the event took on a life of its own. Since I was hiking out tomorrow, I agreed to carry the extra 3 lbs to ensure that we had a good start to the fire (bec the wood was damp from the rain). Cobweb confessed that he had never eaten a s'more (he is 50 mind you), and Magnolio bought the most unconventional pre-packaged s'mores that included roasting sticks. To top it off, Cobweb also purchased hot dogs and buns. These are things that one does when they go car camping, not thru-hiking on the AT. It was glorious, and a fitting way to spend our last night together on the AT.
Cobweb is no longer a s'more virgin. These are the memories and experiences that make hiking on the AT so permanent and lasting. I am planning to meet Cobweb this weekend in the Smokies as he makes the 200 miles of his journey Southward. The connections are so deep because of the difficulty required to achieve the goals of hiking hundreds (and even thousands) of miles.
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