Date: 2004-04-13
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Haven Motel - Franklin, NC 
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

Phew - where do I start?!! Last night I pitched my tent about 600 feet up away from the shelter. A few came in after I was down for the night. Phoenix and Morningstar arrived about 7:30 and Bones and 42 at 1 a.m.! Sometime after dark a storm hit. The rain already had started falling by the bucketful and I thought I saw a flash or two of lightning. Later on I did hear a few thunder rumbles. Surely, I thought, I was in for my first serious mountain thunderstorm. So I buried my head in my bag, cursed myself for not staying in the shelter, and said my prayers. The rain kept waking me and I kept checking to assure myself my tent floor and bag were still dry. However, nothing serious materialized. Or so I thought.This morning I heard the tales of a leaky shelter roof, a sleepless night, and several incredibly close lightning strikes. One strike was approximated to be within 100 yards of the shelter. Everyone inside and in tents close to the shelter felt the ground shake. None slept. So ... here's the full irony. When asked to name my greatest fear about this adventure I replied "mountain storms: wind and lightning". So it happened, in real seriousness, and I slept through it!!!   Must've been that guardian angel pinned to my backpack. Thanks CPC :-DToday's hike wasn't bad physically although my leg started hurting after 5 or 6 miles again. Weatherwise, it was a mixed bag. Rain, sun, wind, stillness, cloudiness, and occasional dribbles were all on the menu. I took a .4 mile blue blaze to see the Wasalik Yellow Poplar, the second largest in the US. It boasts a 26' gnarly girth. Blessings and gratitude to Julia who waited up the trail to tell me about it. (So add .8 miles to today's mileage!) When I reached Winding Stair Gap to hitch a ride to Franklin, Julia and Kirk were still there attempting a hitch. It took much longer than we expected but it did happen and we were eternally thankful. The temperature had dropped drastically and there was a nasty wind whirling through the gap.And now I lounge at Haven Motel, a must for anyone stopping in Franklin. Owner Ronnie is phenomenal, driving us all over town for laundry, groceries, outfitters, supper, and returning at the drop of a hat to pick us all up. Even after his motel is full, he's still running for hiker guests of the other hotels in town. I've caught up with Mr. T, Flint, Hippie, Leslie and Eric, Sun Dog, Puck Finn, Digits, and Stickman. 42 is here but Bones continued on past Winding Stair in search of him. Sad state. We pigged out at a pizza/salad buffet for $3.25 per person. Presently we all are singing songs of happiness as the weather in the mountaintops looks treacherous. One hiker phoned saying he was too cold, coming down and coming in. It's snowing up there, c-c-c-cold, and blowing. Tomorrow is forecast to be more of the same. All of us are planning a zero day tomorrow. Good timing, I'd say! And so ends the first 106.8 miles of my AT adventure. Next, onward and upward through the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. "God, bless my hike and all those with whom I travel. Keep in Your care my friends, family, and community who are following my journey. May the gifts of peace, joy, love and blessings be theirs today, tomorrow and always. Amen!"