Date: 2008-01-04
From: Neels Gap

To: White Oak Stamp
Miles today: 7.3

I was slow getting up today. I had some banking to do before I left and I couldn't do that until 9am.I heard Josh and Leigh in the kitchen, so I knew coffee would be ready soon. :-)I have to say it again...this is one of the nicest hostels I've ever been to. Thanks Josh and Leigh for having me over again!I checked email first, then had another good breakfast...with lots of coffee! :-)The morning went by fast. I called Winton to see if the road to Hog Pen Gap was open yet. It wasn't, but I knew it was going to be sunny and also was going to be above freezing later, so I was hoping they would open that road.Queen Diva and Hopeful were going to be in the area today and Queen Diva was bringing me some fried chicken if she could get up that road.I called her and told her I would be there around 3pm and it would be great to see her and Hopeful.I finished the business I had to take care of and left for Neel Gap.It was about 20 degrees when I left and the sun was out. It was going to be another beautiful day. :-)I forgot to mention that another hiker spent the night at the hostel last night. His name was Stoikurt who I had met on Springer on New Year's Eve. He had been out for a short walk, but was heading out to do some backpacking with a Boy Scout troop in Alabama.I got to Neel Gap and there was a very busy parking lot there with lots of cops around.I parked the truck and talked to Winton and Pirate for a while. Pirate said there were about 10 swat team guys that walked out the way I was heading today.I told Winton that I'd probably see him in about 6 months and gave him the keys to my truck. He is going to keep it for me till I get done walking.I started walking north at 11am. I did stop and sign the register as I walked through the building and I even used more smiley face stickers. :-)I climbed up to Bull Gap and kept going till I got to Levelland Mountain.I stopped and took a break on a big rock I like sitting on up there. There were 4 day hikers there from NH. We talked a while, then they left and I sat there enjoying the views.It's an absolutely gorgeous day, but I keep thinking about that missing girl and hope she's OK.There's still an inch or two of snow in the shady areas and I can see Brasstown Bald to my left as clear as can be. That's the tallest mountain in GA.I saw a couple tents still up on Wolf Laurel Top as I walked by at 1pm. I took a picture of those, then walked out to the edge and took a picture of Cowrock Mountain, then walked on.I saw a father and son sitting at Baggs Creek Gap. I asked if they were out looking for the missing girl and they said not officially, but that they were keeping an eye out for her.I caught up to 5 members of the swat team and talked to them a little. They seemed tired and I asked how long they had been out here....3 days so far.I headed on up to Cowrock Mountain.I took a couple pictures, but didn't stay long because Queen Diva might be coming soon....with fried chicken! :-)I walked down to Tesnatee Gap and was looking for the best spot to write Queen Diva a note in the snow when Hopeful pulled into the parking area and honked at me. Queen Diva was in the car right behind him.We got our hugs and I met the youth group they had with them, then they headed for Hog Pen Gap and I climbed Wildcat Mountain, then down to Hog Pen Gap to meet them.We talked a while, then Hopeful led the group on a walk back to Tesnatee Gap while Queen Diva stayed there and talked....and I ate her pan fried chicken that she made special for me!She makes the best pan fried chicken I've ever had! :-) She also had a Coke and some homemade chocolate chip cookies that she brought for me. Talk about making me feel special!! Thanks Queen Diva and Hopeful. You guys really made my day! :-)There were 2 boys from Blairsville and Stephanie, Katy, Sarah and Karen were all part of the group.I thanked Queen Diva when she left to go pick up the group at the other gap.I always enjoy being around them!I walked down to the spring and got water and headed north...with a full belly and some chicken in my pack. :-)I walked about a mile and found a nice flat spot, then sat down on a log and just enjoyed the last part of the sunshine. I even heard the first owl hootin' that I've heard on this walk.I set up my tent just before dark and crawled in for the night.Another great day on the Appalachian Trail! :-)