Date: 2003-03-29
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Long Creek Falls
Miles today: 5.0

Oboy, do I have a lot of explaining to do. First of all, I apologize deeply to all who have been checking in to find zippo. Thank you for your concern, and I'm sorry I dropped the ball. I did attempt to change my status to "Got off the trail", but wasn't successful. Anyways, here are my very late journal entries from the trail. When I returned after only a week, I was very bummed out, having gotten off the trail not by choice. I unpacked and my PocketMail sat on my desk all this time, collecting dust. I just didn't have the motivation or emotional energy to complete my journal or check for e-mails. Now that I will be returning to the trail in a few weeks, I am getting happy again!!! Today is May 7, 2003. Again, I apologize for the 'burp' and I hope you enjoy my entries!It's funny, have you noticed how brief the TrailJournals entries are when it's the last one before departure? Sooo much to do. I forgot to mention in mine that I was just getting over a bad cold/flu with body aches. I wasn't about to let that stop me, though, I've waited for this long enough! Cornelius got us all to Atlanta safely, as usual. We mingled around town and visited a good friend, REI, etc. I am having difficulty locating powdered eggs. Fortunately, I hadn't planned to use my BakePacker until Fontana Dam... We arrived in Ellijay Friday around 5pm. We had just started discussing where to eat and stay for the night, when what to my wondering eyes appears - Super Wal-Mart!!! Brand new, grand opening. Anybody with an RV would understand my excitement. When you go RV'ing, all you need is Wal-Mart and you've got food, gas, and a place to stay for the night. We bought plenty of goodies for a picnic in the RV, and stayed the night. Although we started waking up around 7:30am, we didn't get going until about 11am. We bounced our way up USFS42 and hit the trail. "The boys" came with us to the terminal to sign in - I was so glad lil' Glenn was able to be there, and meet the ridgerunner Glenn (Gizmo). Then back to the RV for a little lunch. We hoisted our packs and headed north. Our goodbyes were tearful, but thankfully brief... I told Cornelius it is so nice to have someone to trust... this was very cathartic for me to say - I've had 'trust issues' since childhood. I had only been amongst the trees for a couple hours, and already, the 'outdoor therapy' had begun. I was emotional and discombobulated after that; I kept thinking how few people in my life I have been able to trust, and what a true gem Cornelius is to me.My hiking partner, Sparky, was very patient and understanding today. I remember my first day (alone) and I'm glad I can be of some help to her. The hiking wasn't too difficult until we got near Long Creek Falls - then I started sweating and huffing and going damnear backwards. Sparky went to cross a little stream on some slippery, wet logs, and her first step went right into the water. Luckily her boots have very good waterproofing. We made it to Long Creek Falls by about 4pm and set up camp near a group we met while breaking at Stover Creek shelter. It is chilly when you stop hiking, and they are preparing for a huge bonfire. I can hear the falls in the distance. It should be a very peaceful night.Things I'm most thankful for: family, friends, and having a whole blast of a summer ahead of me!