Date: 2008-01-12
From: Ron Haven's Motel, Franklin, NC

To: North of Wayah Bald, NC
Miles today: 10.5

I have to start today's journal with a word about that Chunky Gal Trail I mentioned the other day and how it reminded me of some friends....well, I've had more than a few emails asking if I was referring to them. ;-)Another comment is about my dear, sweet, transcriber, Mrs Gorp and how she's been adding unauthorized "oink, oink" comments in my journal...she must still be upset about that little incident when I accidentally sprayed her with pepper spray. Ha!! :-)I wasn't in any hurry this morning because I had another short day planned.I woke up about 7am and got dressed, then walked about half a mile to breakfast.I had coffee, eggs, hash browns, sausage and rye toast. I thought about ordering more, but I've been eating pretty well since I got to town, so I showed restraint and walked back to the motel after eating only one little breakfast. :-)I checked email and then packed up all my stuff that was still everywhere in the room.I walked over to the office about 10am and told David I was ready to go back to the Trail whenever he could take me.He called his niece to come watch the office and drove me back up to Winding Stair Gap.I thanked him and headed north on the Trail at 10:50am.I was only planning on going to Siler's Bald for the night.I started climbing that hill heading up to Siler's Bald. I walked by Swinging Lick Gap, and then got to Panther Gap.I like the name of Panther Gap so much that I had a portrait made when I got there of me and the sign. :-)I walked another half mile and my stomach started growling. I looked at my watch and it was lunch time already, so I sat down on a log and ate some Vienna sausages and some diced peaches in light syrup.I finished lunch and started climbing slowly to Siler's Bald and got to thinking about just how beautiful this Trail is...especially this time of year.I kept climbing and I got to a place where one of the rocks in the Trail was wet. I would guess it was either a coyote or a fox had peed in the Trail just before I got there.I had been looking off to my left most of the morning, trying to spot the firetower on Albert Mtn.I finally saw it just before I got to the side trail to Siler's Bald Shelter. It's amazing how far a person can walk out here in just a day or so. Albert Mtn looked pretty far off and I had climbed it just before I went into Franklin the other day.I started seeing hoar frost still in the Trail as I got over 4,500 feet high. I was glad to see that because it's been too warm out here lately.I got up to Siler's Bald and turned my cell phone on to take a couple pictures. It beeped a voice mail while I was taking pictures, so I called and it was Chief.He said he was standing in line waiting on some fried chicken.That was as low a blow as he could have dealt me. :-( Some friend!!...calling to let me know he was having fried chicken for lunch.I stuck my lower lip out and walked slowly on down the Trail.My intentions were to sleep on Siler's Bald tonight, but I got there at 1pm, so I walked on.I descended to Wayah Gap, then climbed to Wine Spring and filled up my 2 water bottles so I could eat dinner on Wayah Bald Tower.I kept climbing till I got up there. Its 5,342 feet high and you have a 360 degree view of all the mountains.I started my dehydrated navy beans cooking, and then started studying the mountains all around.I could see Siler's Bald where I had just come from, but I could also see Albert Mtn and Standing Indian Mtn. In the other direction was Clingman's Dome in the Smokies and Cheoah Bald.It was awesome watching the mountains changing color with the sun and clouds hitting them. When it was cloudy they were a blue/gray and when the sun would hit them, it outlined all the valleys.I added a Spam single cut up in half inch squares to my navy bean and corn soup and ate that while enjoying the mountains and the quiet.I packed up and walked on. My map showed a campsite about .4 miles away, so I headed there.I passed a spring on the way and stopped to fill my water bottles. Now I'll be ready for Starbucks in the morning. :-)I got to the campsite and was surprised to see a sign that said there was a shelter just 1/4 mile away. I had heard there was a new shelter out here...guess I'll stop by in the morning and take a look at it.The campsite wasn't a real good one because most of the ground is sloping. I found a flat spot, but looked up and saw a dead branch over it, so I settled for a little slope.I'm tenting at 5,200 feet high tonight and there's a nice chill to the air.It's already dark out and I'm nice and warm in my tent. :-)One other thing I wanted to talk about tonight...Jan Liteshoe. :-)I posted a link in my journal the other day to her website at www.funfreedom.com and talked about her book she wrote.I got an email from her today and I'm going to post it here:Well, I hate to have to say it, but....I OWE YOU!!!People really DO read your journal. (despite all my sympathy clicks)You are so handsome!!!Jan LiteshoeWell, I added the "handsome" part, but I know that's what she was thinking! :-)The book is called ¢The Ordinary Adventurer¢.I have read it and it's the main reason I'm walking such short miles on this walk. It really influenced my thinking...at least for now about slowing down while backpacking.Thanks to all of you who ordered it and let Jan know where you heard about it. (This has to be driving her crazy) LOLAnother great day on the Appalachian Trail! :-)