Date: 2004-03-06
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Wallace Gap, Old US 64
Miles today: 12.8

   From mice to an upset hen turkey: I know that this is a hard gobble to swallow, but we had a wild hen turkey with us at the shelter. She started yipping at us at dark and did not stop until dawn. There is a large fallen tree in front of the green bench side of the shelter. She sat on the log and warbled at us. Since I can't "Talk Turkey", I don't know the reason. Was she lost in the fog? Were we in her coop? Was she nesting under or near the shelter? Junior, Rican, Slow Poke and myself will never know, but come Thanksgiving I'm going to have several helpings of turkey! A night of fog, then rain and then storms. Junior and Rican left around 8:00. I waited until 9:20 when the rain stopped. Slow Poke, who doesn't carry rain gear, stayed at the shelter. He told me that with four Ramen Noodles and coffee there was no reason to walk in the mud. We said our good-byes and I was off. The terrain was easy and I was able to reach USFS Road 83 at 11:30. The climb up Big Butt Mountain was strenuous. It is one of the most beautiful climbs in the first 100 miles. Since you are climbing on a steep clift, you have one beautiful scenic view to the top. If you are not afraid of heights, it's a great weekend scenic hike. When I reached the base of Albert Mountain, I was curious how all the rain would affect the steep climb. After reaching the fire tower, I made the climb safely even with the high wind and wet rock. There is a forest service road that leads to the top. Two hikers from Atlanta asked if I would take a photograph of them and they returned the favor for me. One was from London, England, and the other an employee at CNN in Atlanta. So far, the best three views on the AT have been: The top of Tray Mountain, yhe clift view from Big Butt Mountain and the top of Albert Mountain. I do not include the top of Standing Indian because it was fogged with zero visibility. I reached the end of my 12.8 miles walk at 4:30 p.m. I was tired. I began my walk down Old US 64 to Rainbow Springs Campground. My answered prayer was Ed Spears of Spear Hammocks who came from Rainbow Springs Campground to pick me up. Ed and P.O.G. were displaying this excellent hammock at the New Mountain Crossing Outfitters at Rainbow Springs. Ed drove me around the campground out to the Rainbow Springs Office and Store. To my disappointment my United States Postal Service package that I bounced from Hiawassee, GA to Franklin, NC, a distance of 50 miles could not arrive in three days. That's about 16 postal miles a day. My hiking pace was almost that fast. We then went over to the New Mountain Crossing Outfitters Store which was being managed by Cornbread from Marietta, GA. I refilled my denatured alcohol bottle and purchased a better pair of gaiters. I looked out the door of the Outfitters building and Stumpknocker, who had just finished his southbound thru-hike was visiting with Ed and P.O.G. Stumpknocker had driven out to Winding Stair Gap to give me a ride. I am amazed at how may trail angels exist. Stumpknocker said the was staying at the Franklin Motel in Franklin, NC, and offered to give me a ride to supper and to the motel. Ed, POG, Stumpknocker and myself went to an "all-you-can-eat" Chinese Buffet and it was fantastic. I ate more plate fulls of food than the number of days it has taken for my USPS package to arrive. Ed will be demonstrating his hammock at the Florida Trail Exposition. Stumpknocker and I arrived at the Franklin Motel. I then took a long hot shower, turned in for the night and had dreams of a hiker in a long distance race with a postal truck.