Date: 2010-04-07
From: Siler Bald

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to the best sunrise yet! It looked like a supernova on PBS! Discovered how close I actually was to Siler Bald. No where near it! I was so exhausted last night that I didn't make it all the way to the "Bald" spot where it was cleared of limbs and trees. I was literally feet away from my first "cowboy" camping experience. Instead, I slept on two roots. One stuck in my left rib. The other, stuck to my right rib. Still slept sound! Stomach gassy. I might actually be lactose intolerant!?Stopped at USFS Road 69 for oatmeal and instant coffee. The spot was a fantastic overlook. I could see Franklin in the distance.Hazy skies today and brisk winds. Siler Bald would have been nice to camp and watch the stars. I could see them fine through the creepy, twisted trees reaching up to the heavens.Wayah bald was kinda lame. The stone observation tower was alright compared to Albert. I could make out Clingman's Dome thought! That's the highest point on the AT. It's such a huge mountain, just waiting for me! Begging me to climb it! "Wa'ya" means "wolf" in Native American. Oh, I saw a beautiful Birch tree forest! They were really short due to the altitude. They were absolutely covered...COVERED in thick lichen. Grayish, white moss was covering EVERYTHING! There was knee high grass laid flat like a prairie in a tornado. Prettiest forest that I've seen yet!I met "Possum" at the Wayah Shelter. He told me about "Trail Magic" down at Burningtown Gap. "Trail Magic" means free food! So, I hiked with him for a while on the way there. He told me all about life in central Georgia. Stories about Troutlines and catching 100lbs of catfish at a time. How to cook and field dress alligators! He helped me identify several flowers and tree's that I've been curious about. I met "Apple". He's an AT ridge runner. In other words, he works for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. He warned me about the approaching thunderstorm.When I finally got to Burningtown Gap, I met "ATTroll" and "Hopper" and their dog "Ben", Zoe, and John from the Blue Berry Patch hostel. "Grits" was the "Trail Angel" who was providing the free food! I ate a cheese burger, drank a Mountain Dew, cookies and had some chips. Wow! Tasted so good! Perfect timing for a hungry stomach! I told them about "Tortuga's" story about a skunk. Apparently there was a mouse problem at one of the shelters. Someone made a device that could catch mice. It ended up catching a skunk instead. The skunk sprayed everyone in the shelter in the middle of the night!I felt great with a full stomach. I passed the Cold spring Shelter where ATTroll and Hopper were staying. But not before playing with Ben the dog. The Rocky Mountain Knob was absolutely beautiful! So glad I took the time to walk up there! I started to notice a tender spot on my heel. I had intentions of quitting for the day at Tellico Gap, but it was so windy there that I didn't want to risk the possibility of staying in the area through a thunderstorm. I had no choice but to hike to Wesser Bald shelter. Hard end of day climb! I couldn't find any water for a while also.There was a huge fire tower with a wooden deck! It was sketchy! I could see the Smokies and Nantahala lake from there. Best 360 view around! I limped to the shelter where Buzz, John, and Bobcat were already getting ready for the storm. 18 miles and I've got my first blister!I'm prepped for the weather though. Ye-haw!Oh, my reputation has preceded me! I'm now known as the "Mad Scientist!" Haha!