Date: 2013-11-17
From: Davenport Gap

To: Tampa and Back to Smoky Mt National Forest
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a whirlwind trip we made to Tampa and back. Whoops! picked us up from Davenport Gap at around 5:00pm. We drove south to Tampa, stopping to visit friends in Atlanta and again for food at Burritos Brothers in Gainesville. We slept a few hours in a cheap hotel. Amazingly these America's Best Inns have been remarkably cheap if booked online. They are a bit older but all have been really clean. We paid $33 for 4 people and they gave us breakfast! The people managing the ones we've stayed at have gone out if their way to be friendly. We drove directly to Cub's doctor's appointment for her cast removal. Her ulna healed perfectly but due to our continued hiking the doc preferred to recast just her lower arm, excluding the elbow. When we get home Cub will get it off. She was just happy to have a greater range of motion and a new cast color(red). We figured it matched the wedding colors. The wedding was absolutely picture perfect beautiful. My niece has a talent for paying attention to details and planning things. She was gorgeous in this cream-colored gown with exquisite lace made in Barcelona, Spain. The groom is a happy addition to our family. He looked smashing too. Boots walked Grammie down the aisle, winking at her as he seated her. Of course Grammie looked radiant and swaggered right down that aisle. It was wonderful to reunite with the family. We had many questions about the trail. It's so much fun to talk about. I can tell people think we are completely nuts for doing this. One man said I didn't look like a mountain woman. I'm guess I cleaned up real good. If he saw me on the trail, or smelled me, he'd probably change his opinion. High heels were a no go. I came out in a fancy cocktail dress, one I haven't fit in for years(thanks AT!), with Ugg boots. The girls screamed and gave me a big thumbs down. I then tried for my fanciest bedroom slippers...again no. Crocs fared no better. I was forced by my kids to cram my swollen feet into some low wedge heels. Sadly my dancing was limited but I still had a marvelous time. They had a canoe filled with ice and every kind of beer imaginable including Newcastle, which I quite enjoy. The food was divine, fresh and we could eat as much as we liked. Most of all it was wonderful to have all my chickies back in the nest. The noise and chaos brought back memories of our usual family days of not so long ago. Sigh! We received lots of hugs and support which will help us finish the trail.Again we have been blessed by the presence of generous friends who offered to drive us to their Gatlinburg home. Gayle and Amanda are friends I met when our kids were small. We are all in a book club together. Gayle and her husband own the house. My parents rented it once and we had a big family gathering. The memories of being here are rich in happiness and good times. The girls are excited to be back. Personally, I am very happy to be here in The Great Smoky Mountains. This is the place where I first learned about the AT from my friend and hiking guide Terry. I feel overcome with nostalgia. I can clearly remember him pointing to the AT, calling it "a hiker super highway". He told me then that I should do it. I was sad to see the "Happy Hiker" outfitter shop is gone. It was the treat of our trip to stop by. They always had the coolest equipment. Does anyone out there remember it? I'm excited to hike this area with the girlies. Strangler, my brother, how I wish you were here with me! I know I will be thinking about you and Terry and blueberry all the time. The ranger said it looks like a good week coming up weather wise. We can't wait. Bring it on.