Date: 2010-04-05
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawasssee Inn
Miles today: 3.5

Woke at 7:20a again and everyone was in pack up mode. Glad that I decided to stay at Deep Gap Shelter instead of pushing on. Barbed Wire, who I thought was miles ahead of me came in around3p followed shortly by LowKey. LowKey cooled off by the stream but decided to try to catch up with those who were going to stay in town. Barbed Wire had gone to Helen GA the day before to resupply and hab been dropped off again this morning. That's how he ended up behind me. A group of 4 that had been at Tray Mtn. was now three; Lucy, Kelsey and a man whose name escapes me right now. They all stayed and many others rolled in as well. After staking out a tent spot I went over to the porch of the shelter and talked with others who had come in. I met Jim, Chris, the man hiking with Chris and saw a few others setting up by the firepit down the hill fom the shelter. When dinner was done, a packet of salmon and a clif bar, I went to the tent to change into camp clothes. As I was finishing up I could have sworn I heard someone tuning a violin. Stepping out of the tent I heard a country two step being played and walked around to the back of the shelter to see Tim playing violin. After everyhone had eaten Kelsey, who also plays violin, played music while Tim led Lucy, Andrew and me through a contra dance on the porch of the shelter. It was great! Other hikers had filled up the picinic table and when the dance was over Tim suggested another dance he could teach if another couple or two joined in. Unfortunately there were no takers so he asked Kelsey to play a waltz. He then turned to the group asking if anyone wanted to dance but no one jumped at the chance. Then he held his hand out to me and asked "How about you young lady?" I lept at the opportunity which I should have done in the first place. So we waltzed a good bit and I followed just fine. Afterward Tim played the harmonica while Kelsey played the violin and everyone enhoyed the music, talking quietly to each other. Things quieted down at the shelter but the fire was roaring at the campsite down the hill. I looked up to another clear star filled night sky enjoying the warm breeze and decided to go to bed. Tim was still playing the violin as I drifted off to sleep. This morning I was second to last out of camp at 9am and was sure not to make it to Dicks Creek Gap in time for the shuttle so I chucked those worries to the wind. While marching along I came upon a sign that simply said 'Vista' at this point what is one more up, so exploring I went. A few pictures later it was back to the white blazes, At Dicks Creek Gap I saw Just Doug and Peaches talking to a man. They were getting back on the trail after spending a couple of days in Hiawasee. It was great to see them again especially since I was able to thank Peaches for leaving inspirational notes in the shelter registers. The man they were talking to was Rick Smith, he had just dropped of a family of friends to hike for the day and was headed back to Hiawasee. He offered me a ride which was extra awesome since the town is 11 miles off of the trail. Rick brought me to the Hiawasee Inn, a very hiker friendly motel. He also made sure I had a room before leaveing. Thank you Rick for your help! After getting settled into the room I bagged laundry and was headed out to the laundromat up the street. I swung by the office to ask about the next mornings shuttle. When Dan the desk man saw the laundry bag in my hand he said the laundromat was closed for the week while the owners were on vacation but not to worry, to check back in about an hour and one of the motel machines would be ready. This was tremendous!! In the meantime I walked up to the post office and picked up mail drop #2. When I got back Stretch, Boone, Lift n' Step and make you wait were being dropped off to visit the hikers who were staying at the Inn. They had been able to get bunks at the BlueBerry Patch Hostel. I brought the mail drop to my room and was sorting through it when Lift n' Step knocked on my door to tell me everyone was hanging at Dead Man Walkings room and to come over and have a beer. I changed into semi-clean camp clothes so the stinky hiker clothes were ready for the wash, grabbed the gatorade from the mail drop and headed over for some socializin'. Got the laundry done, packed the food and some items I'd picked up at RiteAide than headed to dinner @ 7 at the SubWay next door. It was excellent to eat some fresh vegetables after 6 days of trail food.