Date: 2010-04-24
From: Hiawassee

To: Nantahala Outdoor Ctr., Wesser, NC
Miles today: 68.5

Wednesday, April 14, 2010Hiked 12 milesUp early, repacked pack, then headed out to restaurant to eat breakfast with Steve (aka. "Pops") and Frances. Stopped by to pick up "Wildhair" and "Raincheck" on the way to the trail. Had a great hike--cool mornings, hot afternoons. Had a couple of tough hills but Steve did extremely well. He led up most of the hills and waited for me at the top. I was suffering with Heinken flu--too many beers, but finally started feeling better. Stayed at Muskrat Creek Shelter. Caught up with Rollie, Wildhair, Raincheck, Halfmoon--met Hot Sauce and others. A good night, but no cell service. Good seeing Frances and I know it was tough for her to go home alone.Thursday, April 15, 2010Hiked 12.5 milesGreat night's sleep, beautiful starry night, slight sprinkle of rain, but nice. Ate breakfast with Pops and headed out. Stopped at Standing Indian Shelter for lunch--great hike thus far. Steve is doing great.Spent the night at Carter Gap Shelter--good group of folks. Ate supper, drank good Tequila (Patron)thanks to Pops, campfire, to bed--good night. Cool--46.Friday, April 16, 2010Hiked 12.1 milesUp early, sunrise, breakfast and off. Pops put a 10 pound rock in my pack while I was getting water--dirty trick, but I caught him! Great day for hiking. One killer hill (Albert Mt.) but otherwise rolling and smooth. Steve did good and has a fast pace. Camping at Rock Gap Shelter. Nice site with tent camping and water. Boone, Rockafellar, Serinatina, Shawn (Tortoise)--10 folks, campfire and great dinner, Patron is wonderful--a shot at the end of the hike and after supper. Pops did good. Campfire and to bed.Saturday, April 17, 2010Hiked 4.6 milesHiked to Winding Stair Gap and waited on shuttle to Franklin, NC. Shuttle delivered us to hotel--met Ron Haven (driving bus)great guy. Stayed at Haven's Budget Inn. Checked in, took bath, then washed clothes in the laundry. Took a hit of Patron upon arrival at room, one more later on.Walked with Serinatina, Tortoise, and Pops in search of a beer and snack. Found a bar with beer but no food. Serinatina bought chips and salsa and I went to a bakery and bought a great pizza type flat bread. Hung out, drank two pitchers of beer then headed to the pizza place on Main for pizza and beer. Also to met Tortoise's sister, Jeff, and daughter Emma. Great family. We had been feeding Tortoise for the last couple of meals and encouraging him. They were grateful. Chilled out then off again to socialize with the two hiking gangs I met the first week. Met Goldie Locks and we hung out. Went to bed at 10 PM.Sunday, April 18, 2010Hiked 15.8 milesGot on trail late due to transportation delay, around 10 AM. Beautiful, cool day. Ate leftover pizza for breakfast along with milk that Pops got for us. Ron Haven took us to the trail. Hiked fast pace and enjoyed hiking two balds. Siler Bald --would like to hike to again and camp on top. Grassy and beautiful. Also went to Wayah Bald (you can drive to this one--has tower and beautiful view). Met and hiked with Mudbug from Louisiana. Great guy. Also saw Jake and Wildhair and Raincheck on the way in. Tough hike to shelter and a long day. Camped on a bluff close to the shelter. Rabbits hopped through the camp just after we turned in. Stars, sunset, sunrise and somewhat cold.Monday, April 19, 2010Hiked 11.5 milesUp and out at 9 AM. Cold! Built a fire, ate breakfast, broke camp, felt good and rested but Wesser Bald Observation Mt. got the best of me. Great views though. Took a lunch break and then headed out. I was still worn out, ate some Gu and kept going. More climbs but mostly unending downhills--it was tougher going downhill than up. So glad to hike into Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). Got a room, shower, out for dinner. Early birthday celebration--hamburger, salad and vegetables, beer and chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert. Tequila shots (2), socialized in the back of Pops truck, then to bed.Tuesday, April 20, 2010Hiked Zero day--My 56th Birthday!Up at 7:00 AM. Went through food delivery bag (Thanks Frances) and then to breakfast with Pops, Half Moon, Mudbug, Moses and Serinatina. Pops headed back home and I washed clothes and spent the day chilling out.Bandana man wants to say hello to the International students in my brother's class (Dr. Donnie Thompson). Happy Trails!Also, a hello to Rehne Dyer.