Date: 2003-04-03
From: Hot Springs

To: Rich Mountain Fire Tower Side Trail Campsite
Miles today: 8.3

It took Hotdog and I a while to get out of town this morning. We had breakfast at Smokey Mountain Diner again, and again it didn't sit well. Maybe I can't handle eggs for breakfast after all that oatmeal I've been having. Then we checked out of Elmer's Sunnybank Inn. The house is awesome and everyone seems pretty friendly, but I felt that since I didn't have breakfast or dinner there, I was an outsider or something. Everyone was very friendly though. Maybe it was just me. We then headed across the street to the grocery store for some resupply. Other hikers must've resupplied this morning because some key items were wiped out. We went back across the street to the convenience store and grabbed a few things the grocery was out of, and I called Princeton Tec regarding my Aurora headlamp. I'd dropped it in the dirt the other night and it quit working. Customer service told me to have Bluff Mtn Outfitter replace it and they'd send a new one to them. So that was my plan! , but first we stopped at the Post Office so Hotdog could mail some stuff ahead and/or home. Last stop was the outfitter. It took a while, but they finally called Princeton Tec to see if what I'd told them was correct.   They gave me a new light, and charged me shipping so they could send the old one back. Whatever. One last thing to do before we headed out of town--check email! I got to see my newest nephew!!! He was born on March 31st and my brother had sent me some pictures via email. What a cute little guy!!! I don't think all babies are good-looking, but this one is. He must take after his Aunt T. (Thanks for the photos, Dan. I can't wait to see him in person!)At 11:40, we hit the trail...follow the road across My River (French Broad River), then along the river, then climb. Today was probably my worst day physically. I had a stomach ache from gas, it was warm out, we seemed to go uphill all day, my feet were sore, I have 2 new blisters, bringing my current total to 4, and my pack was heavy with 7 days of food. Hotdog and I got lost.   Well, not lost, but we thought we were somewhere we weren't, backtracked a little bit, then went on, finally reaching our destintion for the day: Rich Mountain Fire Tower. In my opinion, climbing the steep 0.1 mile to the tower was a waste of time and energy, especially because I was already frustrated with my feet. The tower stairs were chained off, so the view wasn't as good as I'd hoped for. There was broken glass and empty beer bottles laying around. The bugs finally awakened and decided to pester us, for the first time this trip. I was just tired and grumpy. We sat in the shade up the! re for a little bit, then decided to head back to the AT to find the campsite.That's when my attitude improved. I don't know if it was just because we were done hiking for the day, or what, but I started feeling better shortly after we stopped. Freeman was already here, and Rise N Shine (formerly Jason from journal on 3/30)showed up a little after we did. Freeman had a fire going, and after dinner, we all talked around the fire for a bit. Once the sun started to drop, the bugs went home too. Or maybe it was the temperature drop. Or maybe the smoke from the fire. Whatever it was, I was glad. I felt good; more peaceful.I'm in my tent, and I must admit, I feel like such a daredevil! I didn't put the rainfly on tonight. I really don't think rain is an issue tonight, that's not the brave part. Without the fly, I feel more vulnerable to critters. It's sorta like when I was a kid and got afraid of something in the dark, I'd make sure no body part was uncovered by the all-protecting sheet. Well, I sure hope my sleeping bag is made of the same stuff as that sheet, because I don't want anything to get me. Maybe if I cover my head too, I'll be protected.