Date: 2015-04-06
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another restless night left me tossing and looking forwards to morning so I could get up and moving. Take ~20 hikers crambed into a hostel, a quarter of which snore at their own unique pitches and volumes, and it makes for a difficult night for light sleepers. The unspoken hiker bell was rung just after 7am meaning it was clear to begin moving around. I was in a hurry to pack up, get into Hiawassee, unpack, and rest away the day. I saddled up with fellow hikers General Burnside, Moosehead, Peas, and Drew (trail name TBD) as we put on our rain gear and headed half a mile uphill to the trailhead where our plan was then to stick out the ole thumbs and hopefully catch a ride back down the hill into town - 11 miles away. Star Crunch and Double Back entered the hostel as we departed and soon after I passed Airlock and Fiddler making their way downhill for their respected R&R days. It was nice to exchange hello's and confirm the group had followed through with plans before yesterday's lack of communication caused us to splinter.Luck would have it as we reached the trailhead, it would take less than 10 minutes before we were offered a ride back down into town by a kind old lady who was dropping off her son to begin his current section hike. Five soggy hikers packed their bags into the back of her Honda Element and sardined ourselves into the vehicle - myself sitting across the feet of three hikers in the backseat. We reached our hotel in late morning and were all treated to hugs from the lady. It's nice that so many people seem to be thanking thru-hikers for this and that when all we do is just sorta show up.I caught up with Rock Boat who, in a room with 2 queen beds and a pull-out couch had done his best at settling right in by himself, more than happy to soak up the luxuries of modern life alone. We all soon found ourselves sitting in the hot tub for close to an hour hoping the warm waters would soothe our aching bodies. I'm currently sitting in it as I write, confident that just another 5 minutes (and another, and another) will do the trick for my knees. We then walked next door to Daniel's, a home-cooked meal kinda place, save the home-cooked flavor. Don't get me wrong, for thru-hikers the food does the job admirably, but it wouldn't top the list as a must-visit to non-locals. All of the "The Sound of Music" decor was a bit strange, but does nothing to take away from the food and great staff who do their best shuffling around to keep starving hiker's glasses topped off.We then strolled over to the local grocery, Ingle's, to get a few food items to last us the next few days until we can restock again. Having just ate my weight in food for the second time in 24 hours, I was able to easily fight off the urge that overcomes hikers as they stand among the endless rows of goods. I made off with some pop tarts, a noodle mixture, a 2-liter of 7up to be polished off tonight, a tennis ball to roll under my achy feet, and some Star Crunch treats. Star Crunch, the thru-hiker, received her name from Rock Boat a few nights ago after a debate regarding the hierarchy of certain snacks. I couldn't remember ever having them, but quickly discovered I remember them once I saw a box at the store. Grabbing a box seemed the right thing to do. Sorry Rock Boat, they're pretty solid. On the way back to the hotel, we bushwhacked a little to cut off 5 minutes by going through a field where Moosejaw gracefully whiped out going down a muddy hill, losing his bags of goods in the process. It's the small things.We're now spending the evening packing our food, tending to our bodies, enjoying some beer, watching a corny Alien vs. Predator series, and waiting for the National Championship game tonight. Tomorrow's plan is to return to the trailhead and make our way over 10 miles where we'll cross into NC for the first time. Eventually the Smokies will begin looming in the distance. Rain is expected for several days this week so keeping positive will be key.The hot tub is beginning to fill up with other thru-hikers, including Rock Boat who just walked in, looking for a quick retreat, so time to wrap it up. Here's hopefully to a restful evening ahead and back heading north in the morning.