Date: 2006-03-05
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

03-05-2006 Hawk Mountain Shelter to Woody Gap 12.4 miles      20 miles total   I could hear people moving around before the sun came up.   The light from the campfire cast flickering light into the shelter. The wind had died down overnight, so it did not seem as cold as the night before.   I got up at 07:00 AM and came out by the fire. Started to pack and make breakfast, Oatmeal and hot chocolate. Others were also up and getting things ready for the day. I took my time which was nice, and even DeJaVue did not seem to be in any hurry. One of the hikers asked if the store in Suches carried Aqua Mira? He said that his water filter did not work, and his stomach did not feel the best from the water he had. DeJaVue told him that he did not think the store carried hiking supplies. I had my Aqua Mira with my Sweet Water Filter, had only used it once, so I gave it to him. He seemed surprised when I told him he could keep it.   DeJaVue asked if anyone had any trash, that he would pack it out for them, as he was going back to the parking area for our car. The Packrat had several items he gave to DeJaVue that he wanted to get rid of, like the small tackle box, icepack , and his empty cans. DeJaVue asked him about why he did not have a mat to sleep on, and he said he didn't want the weight. I think that they are going to have fun with him at Neels Gap when they do his pack.   I started out on the trail around 08:00 AM, another blue sky and sunshine day. I soon passed the sisters and walked with them for a few minutes, but their pace was too slow for me so I continued on when they stopped to take a break at Hightower Gap. Soon Helium and Freckles were hiking with me and we seemed to have the same pace. It was funny with Freckles, who is a Dalmatian, as he would run ahead up the trail, turn around and look at us and then run back to us. Sassafras Mountain gave us a bit of a workout as the day warmed up. I told Helium that DeJaVue had me doing prep hikes, but that it was cold weather hikes, not use to the warm weather yet. A few hikers passed us by, including Matt who was the other one who had the dog at Hawk Mt. Shelter.   We got to Gooch Mountain Shelter around 12:30 PM and took a break for lunch. I thought that DeJaVue would already be here, but the shelter was empty.   A short time later I heard his Morning Dove call that he does, as he approached the shelter. Helium's eyes widen when he asked if he wanted a Dr Pepper? He had two cans left.   Hobbit showed up a few minutes later and was having blister problems with his feet. DeJaVue asked if anyone wanted to drop their packs off at the car in Gooch Gap, and pick them back up at Woody Gap?   Hobbit was funny,   Hobbit: "So, let me get this straight. You will take my pack from me here, and shuttle it to me there. I will walk there without my pack?"   DeJaVue: "Yes, that's correct."      Hobbit: "So you will have my pack, and I won't have my pack. I will be hiking without my pack?" DeJaVue: "Yes again you got it."      Hobbit: In other words, I will not be carrying a pack?" DeJaVue: Correct, it is called FREEDOM PACKING, a chance to give your back a rest."   Hobbit's smile said it all.   Elizabeth came into the shelter, and the offer was made to here too. She said her parents were going to be meeting her, so she would pass.         We all got ready to hike to Gooch Gap now.   DeJaVue was out in front and Helium made a comment that he was just like Freckles, going so fast up the hill. We would see him on the trail at one point, then he was gone.   DeJaVue did stop when he met up with Elizabeth's parents. He was talking to them when we came up to them. We were on the down side of Gooch Mountain, and when we started to walk, DeJavue was gone again. Hobbit said that he hoped he did not drive off before they got there. At Gooch Gap, DeJaVue was packing up all the trash that the other hikers had left at the car, seems he told them to leave it there and he would take care of it for them, Hikers never pass up this offer for sure. He even had a bag with items like sunscreen, insect repellant, compass, toothbrush holder, and two disposable cameras. We put our packs into the car, and got our water for the four mile hike to Woody Gap.   Elizabeth had continued to hike on, and we thought we would catch up to her in no time, but when we didn't, we joked that she was trying to rub it in us. We soon caught up to her on the first assent and passed her. The three of us along with Freckles, enjoyed the hike, the weather was now warm, I got to get use to this.   We took a break at some rocks, and Hobbit just climbed up between then and said he could just go to sleep here. Did not take long before it looked like he was.   As we hiked on, we thought that we would see DeJaVue coming the other way soon, we were approaching Woody Gap, and still had not seen him. As we came up to the road, we saw him pulling in across the street. Hobbit asked how much do I pay him for doing this? I told him he could make an offer, but that DeJaVue just liked doing it, and would not take anything for it. Guess he will learn more about trail magic as he goes.    DeJaVue said he had gone to the store in Suches, but that they did not have six packs of soda, so he went 10 more miles down the road and picked up a twelve pack, plus 3 bottles of SOBE Flavor Drinks and bananas. When he got to Woody Gap, there were several hikers who he did some trail magic for, then one asked for a ride down to a hostel in Suches. They stopped at the store and got some tangerines.   That is why he had not hiked back to meet us. The soda, bananas, and tangerines were a big hit. One hiker said that he did not know if it was because of the fruit itself, or the fact that it was something he would not pack, but that the Tangerine was the best he had ever tasted.   Hobbit, who had said he did not want anything to drink when asked back at the shelter, enjoyed one of the SOBE drinks that is like an orangesicle.   All others also enjoy the treats. One older hiker said he was going to try and get into the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega if they had any room, DeJaVue called for him, and spoke to Josh, Matt asked if they allowed dogs? and they did, so it looked like three of them including the Piped Piper would be heading there for the night. Josh said he would be up at the gap at 5:00 PM to shuttle them. Not a bad deal, shuttle back and forth from the hostel and included breakfast for $15.00.   Elizabeth showed up at 4:30 PM and DeJaVue had fruit juice for her, and even saved a banana and tangerine for her.    Woody Gap seemed to be a popular area for motorcycles. As we were sitting and talking many came thru the gap. Some showed off, doing wheelie's as they drove by. Seems our group of hikers also got a lot of curious looks from those driving by. Some stopped to enjoy the view, and this would be the closest they ever got to the Appalachian Trail. I felt pity for them, knowing what they are missing, and my journey was just beginning.   I said goodbye to Helium & Freckles, as they got ready to hike on. I hope I run into them again when I come back out on the trail. It was just before 5:00PM when DeJaVue asked if I was ready to go.   I said goodbye to the others, and off we went. I felt like just staying here and hiking on, but had things I have to wrap up at home, including transfer of money to pay for the trip. Josh was pulling in to pick them up as we were pulling out.    We drove into Dalonega and then towards Dawson Ga. to visit friends of DeJaVue. He had stayed with them before their 2003 Thru Hike.   It turned out to be luck that they were home, they had just gotten in an hour before. They were only going to be home a week, so they will be gone by the time I come back down on the 13th.   We left there at 7:30 PM and drove until 9:00 PM before getting a motel room for the night. On a quick note* DeJaVue had asked Helium how he was going to deal with Freckles with the snakes when they come out? If any past hikers have ideas or can pass the word along to Helium, please do so!