Date: 2012-04-25
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

Last night's weather was crazy... snow, sleet, heavy rain, luckily I was cuddled up to the Detective and some crazy lady from N.H. We all got going fairly early this morning as it was chilly, clear, and a TOWN DAY! Blis, Guano, Wild Bill, Cheetah, The Detective, and I all reached Clingman's Dome fairly quick. The view was amazing (according to the pictures on the tower) but just like last time I had another shower view. Totally clouded in, we drank a Heineken to celebrate as well as a few other snacks, got some pictures, and hurried down. The wind was whipping and it was freezing. Since we ended up missing Mt. Love (the 200 mile mark), Blis, Guano, and I stopped to create a 200 out of snow. We lost the rest of the crew but ended up getting some sweet shots. We pushed on towards the Mt. Collins Shelter Sign, and decided to stop and have lunch. Guano had plans to meet his Mom and Dad at Newfound Gap, but we didn't know when they would be there so we stopped. As we did the sun came out and it actually started to warm up. Guano wasn't sure his parents would be at the gap, but Blis and I knew they would be. We even joked that they would be there handing out trail magic.Sure enough after the final push to the gap in the beautiful sunshine we stumbled upon Guano's Mom who was there ready with her camera. She told us we were the slowest hikers ever... (the rest of the crew all reached the Gap like an hour before us.) We all got great big hugs, and were welcomed up at the road. The whole crew was there (minus Jenna and the Professor who were somewhere behind us) including Guano's Dad John. He gave me a coke and we all took lots of pictures. As the boys set off to hitchhike into town we saw a truck pass. In the back of the truck was Jenna and the Professor. They must have gotten a hitch from Clingmans. It was funny to see them pass in a truck.Guano's parents ended up taking Blis and myself with them and Guano to a campground on the other side of Gatlinberg. We took 25c hot showers, and between us did two loads of wet cold laundry. Guano's Parents John and Jane were so accommodating. They asked all sorts of good questions and listened to our stories. They were even kind enough to bring us on an epic quest to find a Chick-Fil-A... yes that is right. We went on an hour long quest traversing two towns to find it, but in the end we got there. We ended up beating the rest of the crew there as they had to take several trolleys to get there. Once they showed up they came running from the trolley and had HUGE amazing grins on their faces. They came in like a hurricane and pretty much ordered everything on the menu and sat down and inhaled it. I got a nice chicken sandwich and some waffle fries. I had so much fun watching them eat, I nearly forgot about my food. Fairly soon after someone said, "We gotta go" and just as quickly as they came into the Chick-Fil-A they left. A few minutes later they returned sadly, and had missed their trolley. Luckily there would be one more and after ordering more food to go they headed off to catch it and every single last one into town. My first Chick-Fil-A experience was worth the wait, and will forever be an experience I won't forget. As we left CFA we drove through Pigeon Forge, and Holy Cow was that an experience. We all were glued to the windows looking at all the lights, signs, and crazy buildings that the place had to offer. What a crazy place.Now, I am happily full and in my tent. Ready for bed. Tomorrow the plan is to get back on the trail. It's been one crazy day!