Date: 2005-03-24
From: Betty's Creek

To: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin, NC
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

A cold front had moved in overnight, so it was hard to convince myself to zip open my warm and cozy sleeping bag this morning and launch myself into preparations for the day. I've come to divide my nights into two main categories thus far: those in which I can sleep with my head outside of my bag; and those in which I burrow in like a caterpillar in its cocoon - awaiting the warmer temperatures of spring before emerging as a butterfly. Last night was a burrow night - which helps to explain why I looked more like a wretched caterpillar than a butterfly when I backed out of my tent at 5:45 this morning.I wasn't the first one up that early, either. It seems we all had the same sense of urgency about today's hike. According to our maps and guide books, we were facing a major climb just 2.5 miles from where we overnighted in the form of Albert¢s Mountain. We had it on good authority that it would be a tough go, our first where you have to stow you hiking poles on your pack so as to have both hands, as well as feet, knees and other assorted parts of our anatomy free to assist with the climb over the rocks.BfM and I were the last out of camp, and we left at 7 am, my earliest start yet. There was, of course, an additional incentive: if we could survive big Albert, and hike a total of 12.3 miles, we'd be on the road that leads into Franklin, N.C.As we approached the mountain, we could see its impressive size, and just to emphasize the point, there was a rather striking fire tower visible right at the summit. In the end, it proved less daunting than its reputation. There was a bit of a rock scramble, but nothing to compare with the one I do trail maintenance on in the Shenandoah National Park - Old Rag Mountain.Still, when we reached the top, we were rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, and I got what I think will be some pretty good photos.The rest of the day's hike was uneventful, and the trail after Albert Mountain was actually fairly kind to us. The sun also came out finally, and the day began to warm up. We stopped for lunch at Rock Gap Shelter after completing about nine miles, and made it into Winding Stair Gap by about 2:30.Two minutes after we arrived, a retired through-hiker drove up in his big red Ford pickup and began dispensing trail magic. I got a Yahoo chocolate drink and it really hit the spot. Within about ten minutes, Phoenix and Hopeful Hiker turned up, so the trail angel, Jakebrake, used his cell phone to call for a shuttle bus from one of the motels in Franklin. Twenty minutes later, joined by then by Dorothy and Toto (formerly Mike and Diane Duhl, we all climbed into the bus from the Haven Motel and headed into town.Our driver, host and owner of the establishment we ended up patronizing, turned out to be just one super-duper trail angel, with both a missionary zeal about helping fellow hikers and a sense of humor as big as Franklin itself.After picking us all up in his bus and getting us to the motel, he then shuttled Nu-B, BfM and me to the post office, and then the laundromat. When we were finished there, we called him and he returned o pick us up, stopped at a market sp we could get some beer, back to the motel to drop off our laundry, and then out to the local Wal-Mart where we re-supplied for the next three days hike into the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). When we finished with our shopping (which, I'm happy to note, included getting my photo card down-loaded to CDs that I will be sending off to my wife and son who will have a go at getting them up on my journal site in due course), we had dinner at an all you can eat Chinese Buffet.After dinner, we once again called our host, Ronnie, to come collect us. As we sat outside waiting for our ride, we saw this long white limousine pull into the parking lot. It caught our attention immediately, and seemed slightly incongruous pulling up outside the Wal-Mart store.Then, to our amazement, the front window rolls down and it¢s our new best friend himself driving. It seems Ronnie also owns a limousine service! Of course, he only uses that to shuttle hikers after they have showered and gotten their clothes washed, but if you've ever smelled the bus load of tired hikers he picks up off the trail, you can hardly blame him for that. And just to complete the rather surreal episode, who does he have riding shot-gun but one of the local deputy sheriffs, a good friend of his, in full uniform - and also a super nice guy.We could not resist the temptation, therefore, to have a photo session where each of us posed with our hands on the car fender being shaken down by the good Deputy! If the shot of me turns out, I think I may have a contest: I'll post the photo along with the starting phrase: "but Officer, I thought ...", and you - assembled eyes - can complete the sentence via my guest book. Winner gets an autographed copy of the photo. This could be fun!When we got back to the motel it was the usual drill of sorting, re-packaging meals and other supplies, repacking our packs, etc.Altogether it was a pretty full day and another great day on the trail. In case it isn't obvious, I am still having the time of my life. Today's hike is dedicated to Cathie Cummins and her Shenandoah Bartenders Trail Crew, of which I have been a member for the past two years. Cathie herself is a through-hiker, and she and her husband Randy, along with Rich and Carolyn, two other regulars, have been my hiking/backpacking mentors, and taught me most of what I know today. Thanks, guys - hope to be back up that way in a couple of months!Stay tuned, Longhaul(Editor¢s Note)I had the opportunity to meet Ron ¢Ronnie¢ Haven this past weekend. After going to the 2nd Annual Appalachian Trail Summit in Erwin, TN hosted by Miss Janet, I took a couple of hikers down that side of the ridge to drop them off at Haven Motel. Ronnie is just the kewlest, and if you are in the area and need a hitch or a place to stay just give him a call 828-524-4403 or you can email him at tiamalle@aol.com. He really loves to spoil the hikers.And, I don¢t know about you folks¢¦but I can¢t wait to see Longhaul in cuffs! LOL I about fell out of my chair when I read that. If only they¢d gotten to know him a little bit more, they¢d prolly have ¢detained¢ him for a bit!Tenacious Tanasi (Shelly Hale)