Date: 2009-03-30
From: Springer Mountain 

To: Hawk, Gooch, Neels
Miles today: 30.0

Flew into Georgia on the 30th. Terminal B for all my connections! Took the MARTA-which is a train to North Springs the last station. Walking through the airport I felt so weird in my hiker skirt and leggings and my pack. Wes picked me up. He is in his 70's, long white beard. He's been shuttling hikers forever. We went to REI for fuel, and then to Burger King for water...On we went to Forest Service Road 42. When he dropped me off in the parking lot, I was meet by Mt.Squid, he had a truck with water and other stuff for hikers. Only .9 miles to Springer campsite. I hiked in and checked in with Rodger (Many Sleeps) the ridge runner. He has been at this for 4 years. Set up my tent. Rodger suggested I go to the top of Springer to watch the sunset. I signed the log-in. (Photos will be uploaded next week) It was beautiful! There are about 25 people at this site and Many Sleeps said 48 people started today. In the middle of the night I woke up startled to the sound of rapid fire machine guns!! If I had not read in the guide about the Army Rangers training, I would have thought I was in Iraq! Weird to be at Springer to the sound of machine guns.March 31-2009 Packed out of Springer early to hike the 7.8 miles to Hawk Mt. Shelter. I was so struck by how grateful I was for every step north I was about to take. I met Drew, she was in her late 60's and had been taking care of her mom. When her mom died, she took to the trail. We had a moment of tears for the trip we were about to embark on. The trail to Hawk Mt. Shelter is actually quite easy. There are many streams along this trail and this time of the year they flow heavy. The sound follows you as you hike. Mt. Laurel bushes not yet in bloom line the path. It will be a sea of white and pink in a few weeks. People are hiking for all sorts of reasons, to find themselves, to loose themselves to loose weight, to stop smoking, to hike for a fund raising cause.Lunch on my way to Hawk Mt. Shelter was interesting. The Rangers were having field exercises and here I was, sitting on my rock and a whole battalion was crouching with rifles and moving into position. The totally ignored me, I had to laugh. The comander waved me on, and kept quietly feeding orders to his gang. There are about 40 people at Hawk. It looks like tent city! We build a huge fire. The bear cables were so heavy with food bags. Explosions, morter fire, helicoptors---geeze, there go the Rangers again.April 1, 2009--pouring, I mean pouring last night. I was camped accross from the shelter and the rain on the roof was so loud, it was like drumming. Packed up wet and a bunch of us started out. You are never alone on the trail. Always someone in front or behind. You may not hear or see them, but when you get to the next shelter, they are there. Sun came out, there are signs of spring. Gooch Shelter--15.1 miles. Dried out at Gooch Shelter. Little white flowers line the trail. Dinner, fire, bed, it poured again!! Still raining hard when we woke up, about 30 people here. Long, wet hike to Wood Hole Shelter at mile 27.0. I was lucky to meet up with Sparky. He is from Tennesse and is hiking at my pace. With this rain, it was great to have someone to talk to. The last 4.4 miles were long, wet and windy. The rain tonight was horizontal and bounced into my tent mesh. I was getting damp! In the AM, Otter who was in the shelter has a mouse in his sleeping bag, hence the reason I don't sleep in the shelters. Blessed was here, from Adam's MA!!!! Kermet, Brett, Gyspy and others. Packed wet again!! But knew I would be in Neels Gap in a few and would get a room and dry up.Hike into Neels Gap was nice and slow. Only 4 miles. 3 of us rented a CABIN! Laundry and some shopping. Clear weather now...