Date: 2019-03-03
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair gap/ Franklin NC
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: few clouds

Day 14, March 3I love reading the the guest book entries hearing from old friends and new friends that I have yet to meet.I read them every time I have web access and I appreciate everything you have to say, recommend,well wishes and prayers. I got tickled at Jenna¢s comment about pride comes before the fall, last night as I was gathering water for the evening I slipped and almost slid into the creek, no one saw it thank goodness. Also today at the end of my hike in the rain I busted it again so I¢ve got to fess up to my trail friends and let them know I¢m not invincible. David I agree with your comment about a live book, that¢s the way I feel as well and just hope it has a happy ending.So this morning I woke up super early and planned to be one of the first out of camp. However Frozen, Ginger and Whiskey got the jump on me , still I was on the trail by 7:00. I was excited that it was not raining which is such a relief as taking down a wet tent and packing it is miserable and you haven¢t lived till you have to dig a cat hole in the rain. Here¢s a million dollar idea; Somebody needs to invent waterproof biodegradable extra soft toilet tissue. That would be more useful than the internet out here on the trail!My legs felt great even after yesterday¢s 11. something Day so I loaded up and took off with a quick pace my goal was to cover 12.2 miles and reach Winding Stair gap where I would hitch a ride into Franklin NC. The first part of the trail was beautiful, the sunrise picture on my earlier post was actually from today. The trail was narrow with a sudden drop off but instead of being scared I felt I was in control walking above the clouds . The mountain grew steeper as I approached the summit  of Albert Mountain. I actually had to set my poles aside and hand over hand ascend the rock face it was incredible, exhilarating and scary all at the same time. When I got to the top there was an old abandoned fire tower that is maintained for hikers to safely climb, So I did and the view was amazing. Oh I need to back up , as I was climbing the rock face I heard drumming almost like the way a basketball sounds if you drop it slowly accelerating the rhythm but deeper like the drums the natives play in old Tarzan movies. I heard this maybe three times. If anyone has ever been on this climb you know it could not be a person creating this sound.I suspect Indian spirits, Big Foot or Grouse. Grouse can make strange drumming noises that are uncanny and hard to localize.After taking a 1 hour break, Flyboy, Jerry who¢s suffering from major blisters, Safety Chute and one other all showed up to climb the tower. I didn¢t ask them if they heard the tribal drumming. I started booking it to make up time man I was feeling strong. The hike was going great and I anticipated reaching Winding Stair Gap by 3 pm. Rhonda had called ahead and found a Church with evening service I could visit which was awesome all was great when boom the sky opened up and within minutes the temperature dropped. I quickly put on my rain gear and pack cover. Man how the rain makes the miles so much tougher and I had to deal with the last endless mountain of the day trudging through stream crossings and the trail itself becoming a creek. It was at the very end, I could see the road, I took my eyes off the game and I slipped and fell and was now covered in mud.* I wouldn¢t expect anyone to pick up a wet hitchhiker in those conditions. When I got to the highway Flyboy and Ray had not called a shuttle and were unsuccessfully trying to flag down a ride for the past 15 minutes.I called Sunshine and got the number of their hostel but could not get an answer at the hostel . I tried another hostel and the same, the cell service was lousy . A sweet little old man and his wife pulled over in their small pickup and we were about to jump in the back when Ron the owner of the hostel arrived in his van we were ecstatic to see him, seriously we would have died of hypothermia if we had jumped into the bed of that pickup we were a good 10 miles away.Well we finally made it to town. I got a private room at Baltimore Jacks so I could spread out my gear and will officially take my first Zero tomorrow. I showered caught a lift to church and worshiped with some fine Christians . One of them gave me a ride back after service and I ordered a large 5 topping pizza which I devoured all by myself.In my haste to get here today I skipped lunch.*I wanted to end on a serious note and refer back to my slip. Last year a young man ended his hike literally at the Neels Gap mountain crossing store when he tripped on the curb and fractured his leg. When we are exhausted and we let our guard down is when we are the greatest risk of harm. So please those that are starting or on trail don¢t ever let your guard down!Well I¢m in my room ,I¢m looking forward to adjusting my gear sending back what¢s replaced.I plan to replace my rain gear it¢s too critical and the Smokies are coming up. I¢m also replacing my Fjall Raven Vida pro hiking pants with something lighter and stretchier. The Vida Pros are great but way to heavy especially when wet. Keep in mind I¢ve only had three full dry days since I started on the 18th of February. All is wonderful and  can¢t wait to get back on trail after my Zero!