Date: 2005-04-21
From: Temple hill gap

To: Indian grave gap
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: broken clouds

Whew! Glad to wake again this morning! Prayed until I fell asleep last night. I (Ms. Priss) was doing my nightly ritual last night, and was headed back towards the tent when I saw lights in the distance! Remember, that road I told you about yesterday? That "old logging" road? Well, I had assumed it was gated or roped off, and we all know what they say about people who assume! Some trucks came rolling up that road around 9:30 pm. Bug and I were pretty scared and somewhere in the backs of our minds heard the theme from "Deliverance" playing. I kept trying to get Bug's attention, but he was in the tent rockin out to the radio with the earphones plugged in. He was totally oblivious to me, and couldn't figure out what in the world my problem was once I finally grabbed his attention. I told him about the lights and he got out of the tent as well. A young guy in his late 20s dressed in camo and a cut-off t-shirt gets out and talks to the other guy in the camoflage truck and after a moments discussion starts to back up and turn around. Bug and I continued to stand there in silence just staring because we weren't sure what was going on! The man in the camo truck rolled down his window and talked to us for a moment, and Bug asked if they were out on a "coon hunt" they said no, that they just came up here occasionally to camp. He turned out to be a nice gentleman and asked us how far we had come that day. We swapped a couple of stories and he told us how hikers used to come stay with his folks. Turned out to be an okay situation, and no offense to anyone from the South or from the country, I am a Southerner myself, but I must say I was a little scared when someone came rolling up so late at night in the middle of the woods.That is the latest adventure tale. We amazingly woke up at 6am this morning and were back on the trail by 7. After a jump start with an oatmeal breakfast square we were off and running (well, maybe faster hiking). It was just as I had hoped, an absolutely gorgeous sunrise! We crested the mountain top above Erwin, TN to get some amazing views of the sun coming up over the Nolichucky River. It looked like a scene from a postcard with the train coming down beside the river and the rapids glistening in the early morning light. It was a nice hike down into Erwin, and we got down to the road, to find Mr. Clean Jr., Wolfhound, and KTR sitting outside Uncle Johnny's. After talking with them we decided to stay there. We had originally intended to stay at Ms. Janet's and we have heard she is a wonderful lady! The best! However, quarters are pretty cramped there. As a couple, privacy can be compromised out on the trail, and since we could get our own room at Uncle Johnny's for a pretty good rate we decided to call that home for the next couple of nights.They shuttled us into town for breakfast, where we ate at the Elms Restaurant. Oh man! I feasted. Those of you who have known me my whole life would be amazed to see me out here! I can't get enough food. As soon as it is in my body, it is burned up. Bug and everyone else stay amused, because I constantly talk about food. I had the $1.99 platter in which I got 1 egg, 2 pieces of bacon, toast, & grits w/ cheese. I also ordered the 3 Hot cakes filled with Bavarian cream and topped with mixed fruit and whipped cream. Oh was it delicious, and I ate every last bite! After breakfast, we returned to Uncle Johnny's for a much needed shower and rest. At 2pm we took the opportunity to slackpack with Mr. Clean Jr. and Lyrical, 8 miles from Indian Grave Gap back into Erwin. For those who don't know the lingo, slackpacking is hiking a portion of the mileage without your backpack. This is considered a no-no by some backpacking purists, but I am walking every white blaze and carrying my pack 99% of the way, my feet told me it was ok to slack this 8 mile section. It was a nice afternoon and a great hike. About halfway back we ran into Train and Raindrop who weren't so excited to be out. Raindrop wasn't feeling so well, and they ended up hiking to Indian Grave Gap and grabbing a ride back to town. We were able to hike a little faster; we did this 8 miles southbound, and most of it was downhill. The last 3 miles ran beside a nice stream and it was cool with towering hemlock, pine, and rhododendron. We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant this evening called Azteca, and have just been chilling out in the room with our feet kicked up. Train and Raindrop stopped by the room to chat for awhile and she seems to be feeling much much better. I think they are headed back on the trail tomorrow. We are expecting snow in the next few days and I think we are planning on heading out on Saturday, we shall see. Just a note: I want to personally thank all those who are praying for us out here! If it isn't too much to ask, in addition to your continued prayers, remember those we are hiking with. There are inherent dangers in doing this. Most dangers are not bears, falling off cliffs, or running out of food on trail. A gentleman we have hiked with, Phoenix, is off trail for a couple of weeks due to a broken foot. The amazing thing is that it wasn't any one thing that injured him. The day in and day out stress of walking as much as we do, with anywhere from 25 lbs - 50 lbs. on your back, up and down, stumbling on roots and rocks is stressful on the body. Many we have hiked with have had to get off the trail due to injuries.