Date: 2008-04-16
From: Nolichucky River Bridge

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 34 -- When one is used to getting up with the sun, it is hard to do so with the curtains closed in a motel--just doesn't seem like it's time. I woke up when Wing It got out of bed and started picking up and I reluctantly followed suit. It was especially hard after not getting much sleep (because it's easier to stay up when one is inside with lights on). I ate bagels and cream cheese, and drank lots of milk and orange juice from the continental breakfast! Good stuff (and free!). People were originally planning on Huddle House for breakfast, but I went the cheap route (and they changed their plans anyway). I tried to get on the internet to check email, but could only do so for a few minutes and then our ride was ready to take us back to the AT. We waited around at Uncle Johnny's for Wing It to mail her food box ahead. No Eye Deer and Ginken were hanging out there. Butters pulled up, planning on getting back on today as well as Kenoa and Leiloni. The first mile or so was nice--along the river, skirting the mountain. I was pretty slow in the morning, feeling the new food weight out of town, bummed because I still couldn't get a hold of Joe, lack of sleep, and fighting off a cold. I know, whine, whine, whine--suck it up Peanut--well, I did. I kept it to myself and just cruised through. We stopped at Curley Maple Gap Shelter for a snack and met Smiles and his dog, Soul, sectioning SOBO. Wing It and I hiked most of the next four miles with Hangman, which included some nice conversation. I was so glad when I turned the corner and saw Stripe and Top Hat lounged against some fallen trees, boots off, eating lunch. We were there for a while hanging out, but also waiting for Wing It to return from fetching the bagels that fell out of her pack a mile back--stinks, but so glad she found them!After lunch I struggled some more, just feeling like crap--definitely dehydrated. We climbed out of Indian Grave Gap towards Beauty Spot (see video below). A couple of times I thought we were almost at the summit and was very discouraged when I got there and saw it higher up (feeling sick and dehydrated intensified my feelings). When we did finally summit, it was a fantastic view in most directions. We ran into Hangman at the top (we couldn't after lunch) and thankfully, his trail information told us where to get water a few tenths down the trail. I drank a bunch while pumping, including some Emergen-C. We quickly started ascending Unaka Mountain and had a great time climbing. I was feeling better after drinking and we booked up the mountain. My AT guide said that the dense evergreen forest would be momorable and that it was--it was great. The sun was getting low in the sky and little bits were shining through where it could. There was still snow under many of the trees, being at a higher elevation and shaded by the dense trees.We didn't get to camp until about 7:45, where Top Hat and Stripe were waiting for us and Darryl, Melinda, Mudbug, and Columbus were camped. Enjoyed some Ramen and am heading to bed!"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power, and magic in it." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Video: