Date: 2015-05-12
From: Tray Mtn

To: Dick's creek Gap
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was another beast of going up one hard mountain, duh...(we are in Georgia). But all in all, I got 7.6 miles knocked out by 2:00 after starting at Tray Mountain at 8:30. Most of the final 4 miles were downhill, but that does not mean it is easy. Finished up by 4:45 and got a ride into town by a nice country gent with a good ole beat up Chevy, and guess where I rode...oh yeah, in the back. First time ever in Hiawassee and I ate a good ole Hardees 1/3 lb. hamburger. Yummy with a capital Y as you see.After that, I hitched back over to Hwy 75 South as I remembered today while on the trail that I left my inverter on in the truck when I left on Monday from Unicoi Gap. I got another ride from 75S up to the parking lot, picked up the truck and off to Hiawasee Budget Inn. Pretty good rate at $28 per night. Thanks to the super ladies who gave me a ride up the 75S road to Unicoi, trail names "Dirigo"- official saying of Maine, who knew, right? Also to Python I think was the other super high speed hiker who allowed me to ride up the mtn with them.Two things I learned today"1. I visited through Deep gap shelter and had a time of prayer and meditation while eating a lasagna lunch. again, yummy! I made a covenant with what appeared like God laying in on my heart in this location. The covenant is symbolic of the name, Deep Gap. I realized just how much I have hurt people in my life and today when I had that time with God, the covenant is, absolutely no more putting people down for their pasts, their past relationships, our past times, our past relationship, etc. This has already been being worked on, but today I made it official and came in agreement with God just how deep these words and thoughts can affect people. Hence the Deep Gap. Sometimes our words can put Deep Gaps of space between us and I just simply do not want that anymore. I realized just how mean spirited I can be sometimes, and that is officially done as of today.   I only want to build people up and reaffirm to them of God's deep love for them. The trail is very hard and very mentally draining at times, but it is worth it when I have moments like this.2. The second place I visited of importance today was called "Addis Gap". Here at this point, before visiting Deep Gap, I also had a few minutes (while resting) of time of reflection with God. The symbolism of the name for me about "Addis" if you make it sound like That is...I know I want my past and past troubles to be out of here from the stand point of using those 'ghosts' to hold back with other people. Again, one person I hope reads this and gets that statement. Those Ghosts 'Addis outta here'. I will not hold back in my relationships for the past ones that caused me harm. Each person has to have a fair chance to be proven, otherwise, we are using OUR past against them. Where is that fair? Anyhow, to the one I used the ghosts against in the past, those will be no more. Remember I told you some things will go fast, and some will take some time. Those things that I am working on from a long term stance, will be posted later in the hike. God is working with me right now on some issues. I hope to be encouraging to you all as I move farther up the trail.thanks for reading along!God Bless!