Date: 2005-04-05
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

My eyes popped open just as it was getting light, it was kind of difficult to see, about 5:45.I went ahead, got up and started moving around and packing all my stuff. I was tented out about 150 yards from the shelter and no one was moving there yet.I managed to pack up, had some Froot Loops for breakfast with some powdered milk. I got packed up and moving early, 7:30 I was on the road. I was feeling really good. The first 2 hours was fairly flat and forgiving ground. I ended up averaging about 2.5 MPH for the first 2 hours. As a matter of fact, I made it all the way to Blue Mountain shelter by 10:30, about 8.7 miles, which was pretty good.I'm actually starting to feel good hiking. I'm sore all the time, of course. I woke up this morning feeling sore and stiff everywhere. It was a good feeling. I know it's the way it going to be from now on, the soreness never goes away, as long as it isn't pain it's ok. I notice daily, and even hourly, that on consecutive climbs and descents I'm feeling stronger. I'm able to go without stopping, or I time myself without having to stop.I got into Blue Mountain Shelter about 10:30. I decided, 'Man I'm flying here' so I pulled out the map and there were big climbs were coming up. Unicoi Gap was the first one. 1,000 feet down and 1,100 feet up, almost back to back.I decided I was going to need extra nutrition. I boiled some ramen noodles and the equivalent of 1/2 pound of chicken that had been freeze dried and hickory smoked tuna. I didn't leave there until 11:45.A few minutes after I got there, this young guy came walking in, he had stayed at the shelter last night. His trail name is 'Wandering Bull'. His real name is David. He had just walked onto the Appalachian Trail from the Florida Trail. So he already had 1,200 miles under his belt and he was flying. He was doing 20-25 miles. I talked to him for a while, he's an interesting guy. We talked about the Trail and hiking through Florida. He took off. I probably won't see him again, he's walking way faster than I am.I've been hiking in really good spirits. I feel like I'm getting stronger every day. I expected to be in more pain or that I'd be more tired. Maybe my body and muscles remember that a year and a half I was doing this. It seems almost too easy.The music is putting me in good spirits too. I have to pat myself on the back for my selection of music, I recorded 4 memory cards with various stuff. My daughter Christine piled a bunch of music she thought I'd like on one, I recorded audio books on one, and on a 3rd and 4th one I put about 500 of my favorite songs. I did good because every song that pops up makes me either smile, whistle, or sing with it.Today was a good hiking day, the weather was clear. I felt like I took my time but I still did good mileage. Right now I'm sitting down the hill from Tray Mountain Shelter so I can record this without everyone listening. I was the first one to get into the shelter, about 5:00, I thought I had it to myself, so I decided to stay in the shelter. I've stayed in the tent every night so far, but, people started walking in. It seems to be about the same crowd, it's getting to be a group now, so we are all walking at the same speed. There is Vern, who we started out with the approach trail with. He started the same morning at the same time as we did. I've been running into him every day since then. He's a real nice guy. His son thru-hiked last year in 2004 and Vern says his son got the bug from him, because he's always been an outdoor guy. At 55 years old, he's decided he's going to do the Trail this time. I think he's one of the guys who's going to make it. He's got the right attitude and the right gear he is a hell of a hiker. There's 'Grateful', an ARMY guy, who spent the last couple of tours in Iraq. Hes probably 38 or so, good guy, well built. I guess he calls himself Grateful because he managed to get a one month leave to do the Trail, he won't get the whole trail done, but he's going to be out here for the whole month and he's beyond happy to be doing that. Also is Ray, a young guy who I haven't quite figured out yet. He's quiet and keeps to himself. He's a good hiker, I cant follow him up the mountain. There are 'Red, Black, and Blue All Over' because the gal is dressed in all blue, and the guy is dressed in all black, and a huge Irish Setter that's, of course, Red.For the last two nights now, two older gentlemen, 'Kansas' and 'Good Times' this is the second night they're spending in the same shelter as I am. There's a young guy who's named 'Salty Red Beard' who also has a journal here. He came to a realization today that he was hiking too fast and wasn't enjoying himself and decided to change his name to 'Bottle Rocket'. I dont know why he had to change his name to Bottle Rocket.Also Kelly, a guy who's carrying a little guitar. He went to eat with Rob,Eddie and I .When we got to the bottom of Unicoi Gap, there was a couple down there with a cooler FULL of sodas, chips and candy and stuff. They were a GREAT couple. I talked to them for about a half an hour. It was the best place that could have happened. I was about out of water and I was about to make a 1,000 foot ascent. I got a Coke and that really made a difference. So to Glen and Tyree: Thanks for the Coke and the thought you put into doing Trail Magic!Just before Tray Mountain Gap there was more Trail Magic, a father and son, Eric and Pacemaker, a thru-hiker from 2004. They were sitting down there with pizza and Sodas and most importantly Yeungling beers!! I sat there and talked to them for about an hour. They are hiking for the next few days. They are from Pennsylvania. They're down here to hike.Also, word is going up and down the trail that tomorrow night there's a Trail Angel that's doing whats called a 'Feast in The Forest' at Addis Gap. There's supposed to be alot of food, hot dogs and beer. I don't know if I'll stop in for it.Lots of good stuff happening here.I'm going to say good night