Date: 2010-04-14
From: Springer Mountain

To: Tesnatee Gap
Miles today: 39.1

AT Section Hike April 2010 Trail Journal of Love and Peace (Judith and Dave)Shortened version:We hiked from Springer (4/11) to Tesnatee Gap (4/14) so far. The weather has been great compared with our October hike when we hiked the first 7 days in the pouring rain in TN. We¢ve enjoyed the pine needle paths, streams and waterfalls along the way, the beginning spring flowers, the birds singing, the fantastic mountain views, the quietness of the forest, the mixture of warm and cooling breezes, and the people we¢ve met along the way.We enjoyed having guests overnight in our spacious cabin near the trail¢Brandon the first night; Blaze, Annie/Hawk, Bill, and Rufus the third night.The longer version:Saturday, 4/10/10What a nice pleasant ride down to Suches, GA. Traffic flowed smoothly. Dave got a nap after leaving at 5 am while I drove. I got an hour nap in the back of our Ford Freestyle while Dave took his turn driving. I was excited to wake up in SC with all the budding trees and flowers. But by the time we got in the mountains of GA, we were back to bare trees and evergreens with only an intermittent flowering tree. Then we talked about how we could contribute to world peace and healing the universe with love. We only got lost once when we got off 85.After we arrived at our beautiful spacious cabin in the woods, we took off for the AT in Henry¢s Gap just up the hill and down a quick path. As we started climbing the path, we saw a hiker moving very slowly but steadily up the path. After a brief conversation, we invited him to stay with us, not sure whether he¢d make it to the next shelter. After we explained we had plenty of room and it wasn¢t an imposition, he graciously accepted our offer. We walked him back, showed him the basement with his picks of four beds and shower. We took off to get our walk in and when we got back he was already asleep. We got to see a beautiful overlook on our 10 minute hike up the AT. I got to see the stars shining brightly in the dark sky unobscured by city lights before turning in for the night. Around 10:15 pm as I was almost going to sleep, I heard a motor cycle engine roaring up. It left shortly and I started to drift off to sleep again. Around 10:30 pm, I heard a gunshot and wondered if I would hear more. I looked out the window and saw people shining flashlights. I figured I¢m in the country and they were just shooting at an animal and finally went back to sleep.Sunday, 4/11/10Brandon was very talkative at breakfast as we got ready to leave for the day¢s hike. He talked about having hiked the AT many times. He almost completed a thru-hike, finishing 2100 miles, but was so busy picking up litter along the way he didn¢t make it. We provided him with some extra food supplies and showed him how to get back to the trail. We met Wes at Suches General Store and he led us to Hightower Gap where we left our car. He then shuttled us along the very rutted and wash board gravel Route 42 to Springer Mountain where we started our section hike. It was a pleasant hike through pine needled forests, paths along streams and waterfalls, and lovely caressing breezes.We met thru-hikers, section hikers, and day hikers along the way. We invited Reed and Robin to join us if they got to Henry Gap if they wanted a break from the woods. We never saw Reed again but passed Robin a couple times. After our day¢s hike, we drove to Amicalola Falls Visitor¢s Center, Lodge, and walked to the beautiful falls that reminded me of Yosemine. We stopped by Dahlonega and saw the Gold Museum.When we got back to our cabin, we walked some water bottles down to the AT path in case anyone needed water along the way. We like being trail angels. While there, we met Gary Babiarz and enjoyed talking to him. He was up for a day hike, used to attend the same church (Unity), and is a vegetarian, too. He has changed careers from sales and marketing to being an actor.   After he left, we enjoyed the quietness of the woods looking out from our lookout.Monday, 4/12/10We hiked Hightower to Woody Gap after Wes shuttled us again. He pointed out crossings/gaps so we would recognize them along our hike. We had a lot more uphills but they weren¢t too bad til after we had hiked about 5 miles. It got pretty hot but the breezes made it bearable.   There were pretty views, streams, and flowers just popping up ¢ white, yellow, violets.We met Rufus sitting under a tree journaling and invited him to stay overnight. He was planning to hike to near our house at Henry Gap. Meanwhile we finished the hike at Woody Gap and met Bill who we also invited to join us. So I made vegetarian chili and rice for dinner. While it was cooking, I went to the trail to see if Rufus was in sight to make sure he could find his way. While there, I met Hammer who chatted about the multiple uses of his hammer, including on a bear if necessary. A guy named Whiskey came along and shared that he had his first bear sightings up on Big Cedar Mountain. I also met Blaze and Annie/Lady Hawk who accepted my invitation to join us. So I walked them down and got dinner ready. While we were eating, Rufus called and didn¢t seem to be at the right place, so I walked back up to show him the path.We had lots of fun chatting with the group. We enjoyed hearing their stories of the trail and personal lives and sharing our experiences and those of some of the authors like the Barefoot Sisters. We did their laundry with ours before we bid them goodnight. Tuesday, 4/13/10We made everyone French toast and pancakes for breakfast before we took a group picture and showed Rufus, Annie and Blaze how to get back on the trail. Bill rode with us for our shuttle with Wes to Neels Gap and put in at Woody Gap where we left off yesterday. We said goodbye to Bill as we took off at our 30 minute mile pace without a heavy backpack like the thru hikers required.We had a lot of uphills on our 11.3 mile hike today. I tripped and fell before we passed by Henry Gap. I was grateful to land on some mossy plants and not poison ivy. We saw a couple hikers just afterwards. I asked them if they heard me yell when I fell. They had and said they wondered if I was being chased by a bear not being able to see clearly my tall husband behind me from a distance. The climbs weren¢t too bad since we had been training on 12 mile hikes up White Oak Canyon in VA in the past few weeks. But the climb down started to bother by little toes making them feel sore. We saw Blaze, Annie, and Rufus at the Walasi-Yi Outdoor Center before we left for Blairsville for a smoothie and veggie wrap.We enjoyed a hot soak after packing up for our move the next day to a new cabin. We enjoyed swinging on the porch swing listening to owls and woodpeckers in the woods. Then watched American Idol before retiring.Wednesday, 4/14/10We got to see Bill and Annie/Lady Hawk when Wes dropped us off to begin our hike from Neels Gap to Tesnatee Gap. We invited Whiskey Slim, Sy, Joe Crow and James to join us when they get to Hiawasee. Only thing is don¢t know if they¢ll be able to find us. Our cell only works outside the cabin.It was a warm day so we were glad it was only 5.5 miles. We visited Helen, GA, a town with a Switzerland theme. We ate bean burgers looking out over a stream and bought fudge after saying hi to the horses waiting to take visitors for a horse and buggy ride.We found our new cabin in Hiawasee to be another spacious and delightful cabin in the woods. We¢re looking forward to using the hot tub tonight.