Date: 2013-05-04
From: Spring Mtn Shelter

To: Log Cabin Road
Miles today: 7.0

4 MayDeparted: 0737 Spring Mtn ShelterHikers I met today:TumbleweedRock - GREAT advice on weather!!!Hey Whitey + Moose (Dog)HobbitMamasitaUp at 0525, cold windy morning! Could not determine WHY the bottom of my tent, parts of my sleeping bag, some clothes, pack were wet! Some how my water bladder was leaking. Fortunately it was not raining, however, it's suppose to rain today. Now I am wet before I am suppose to get wet from this bad weather hitting this area this afternoon or tonight. This has a way of putting a damper on your state of mind! Most of gear dried because of the dry, cold air at this altitude this morning. White Sidewalls gave me some oatmeal this morning after I said I forgot to purchase Oatmeal. This morning, although I would have enjoyed a hot meal, I am to bothered by the water spill. I will eat it later. Worried about the rain! Following the SLOW moving front as it heads East Towards my current location. I have had two cold rain, tornado, lightening experiences, one unexpected and one and predicted. Neither was pleasant. As one hiker (Y Not 2 K) so aptly stated ". . . there are so many beautiful days on the A.T. WHY hike on the bad ones!" "Rock" passed me during a hiking break and discussed the weather for the next few days and it did NOT sound promising. Decided to get off the trail (Log Cabin) after hiking about 4 miles. IReconnected with Lewis & Clark, at the Hemlock Hollow Inn, it was good seeing them and hearing their experiences since we were last together the Smokey Mtns. Trail Magic - this afternoon Zepher / Rage parents pick White Sidewalls and I up off the road and gave us a lift to the hostel. Damn, that felt good. They also set up their portable bgrill and cooked burgers and hotdogs passed out soda and, chips and fruit feeding about 30 hikers! I ate two hamburgers, 1 soda and 1 hot dog for that lunch. 30 minutes later I hasI Grilled Cheese sandwich and dessert at the hostel after leaving the Trail Magic. We checked in "Hemlock Hollow Inn & Paint Creek Cafe" and to our surprise the place exceeded our expectations! The separate bunk house (8 racks) were clean, the shower / bathroom (men's) was exceptionally clean (water from a well), food OUTSTANDING (evening meal Special - Mexican Chili), 1/4 lb hamburger - to order, Homemade soup, Fresh salad, soda, juices, candy, water, ice cream, anything EXCEPT Rental Car ONE HALF MILE down "Log Cabin Road!" This place was much better than Hot Springs, everything was located within 50 / 100 feet of the bunk houses and on this rainy evening VERY dry!*Recognizing that I am NO SURVIVAL EXPERTi do know the value of a "positive mental attitude" when it comes to finding yourself in a precarious situation. Understanding that principle and know that I do not want to place myself in a avoidable predicament. The majority of the mature hikers have the financial ability to call it quits, knowing that my financial situation coupled with NO Deadlines makes a difference in my Slack packed (slow)Dinner - a bowl of Greek Lemon Chicken soup, cheeseburger, 2 / 12 oz cans of Coke. Hatty & Fred Kinsey and their son have an OUTSTANDING facility. Arrived: 1000 Hemlock Hollow Inn (290.2 miles)