Date: 2005-04-09
From: Gatlinburg

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: scattered clouds

4.9.05Day 278am Just yesterday, Paula (Momma Spruce) was commenting on how hikers have to be flexible, in order to make it out here. Well, adaptability is the name of the game today. I woke up at 6 this morning, as usual, took one groggy glance at the clock, and promptly fell asleep again. I was forcibly yanked from slumber an hour later, by the brash double ring of the telephone. Disoriented, I thought it was the bloody fire alarm at first. I stumbled across the room and offered a sleep-laden 'Hullo?' It was Dad, preambling the conversation w/ a "There's been a change in plans." Mom, it seems, spent half the night suffering from stomach-flu-like symptoms. So, she won't be driving down to visit. And, w/ Grandpa sick w/ a cold, it just doesn't seem like the most opportune time to try to catch up w/ family. Disappointed? Yeah. But, that's life on the trail. Hey, that's life, period. You have to adapt to the ever-changing circumstances. As Mom put it: "Your plans are always only about 10 minutes old anyway, and they usually only have a shelf life of that long too." So, no real clue what's gonna happen today. Just play it by ear...3:30pm Life is grand. No, life is grander than grand. Another 3 miles under my belt. Exhausting life I lead, no? A day of phenomenal views. The trail was simply amazing today, climbing up out of Newfound Gap -- a little rocky, but very gently graded. A huge contrast from the southern half of the Smokies. I almost didn't make it out of town this morning, even as much as I really can't stomach the sensory overloard of Gatlinburg. The town vortex effect in full magnetic effect. The weather was so inviting, though, so I stocked up on a few goodies (a liter of Pepsi and some cheddar-flavored Chex mix) and sauntered over to Stoplight #10. (Gatlinburg is the only place I know where the traffic lights are numbered.) I decanted my pack, to sift through all my various crap for my socks -- I didn't really 'pack' this morning; I sort of tossed everything in willy-nilly, b/c I needed to check out, b/c I didn't know if I was coming or going. Those 10-minute plans Mom spoke of. So, I drop my pack, and no sooner do I do so, than an SUV pulls over, the window rolls down, and a friendly, smiling face offers me a ride up. The unbelievable generosity of strangers. A nice, scenic drive, through the winding road, w/ pleasant conversation all the way w/ Karen, my chauffeuring trail angel. I got to the Gap, took the obligatory photo at the NC/TN line, took one last pitstop at the restroom (flush toilets!), and headed on up. And the moment my foot hit the trail -- CLICK -- my equilibrium was restored, the town vortex was relegated to wherever it exists, hovering over trail towns, latching on to the next unsuspecting hiker; the magnetic field was broken, and I was Home again. Everything was so green and lush and ALIVE. Rich pine scents. Spring beauties carpeting the hillsides. Blue skies, w/ the big poofy white clouds meandering listlessly along. (6th grade Earth Science was a while ago; I've forgotten the names of the various clouds, so these were 'big poofy white clouds today.) The sun beaming gloriouslydown. Even w/ all my breaks (Yes, in my 3 miles, I took several) at viewpoints along the way, I still arrived at Icewater Shelter by 1 o'clock. So, it's been a lazy afternoon, spent working on my tan. (B/c, as you know, looks and fashion are, like, so important amongst us hikers.) Meeting a ton of new faces, of all the hikers who had been behind me and are now leapfrogging me. Let's see -- Hairball, Snow Bunny, Cupcake, KTR, Poet, Mello Yello (GAME '03) and Momma Mello. Socks, Low Gear, Jake Brake, Tree Trunks, and G are here also. Should be a rockin' full house. And I'll be happily asleep in my tent.