Date: 2004-04-04
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Palm Sunday ¢ Tray Mtn Shelter to Hiawassee, GA (10.6mi)Lying awake in my sleeping bag, up against one side of the shelter I was served breakfast by the Kennesaw Outdoor Activities Club. Eggs prepared in the middle of a piece of bread and a piece of sausage. Thanks to each of the guys, Steve (Mr. Coffee), Mailman and Tom for serving up such a fine gift. After my third and final plate, I began the labors of packing; exposing myself to the gusting wind.I¢m in no hurry today ¢ nor should I be any day ¢ because I¢m not planning to pay for two nights at Blueberry patch hostel in Hiawassee. According to the databook there is water near the road at Dick Creek Gap so I may camp off the road and hike into Hiawassee on Monday.Packed and on the blue blaze away from the shelter I begin to enter the trance I sometimes hike in. Boy this blue blaze seems longer than last night. Wait, this is the best view I¢ve thus far and I had it once before yesterday. Crap! Once I figured I had missed my turn, I took my unplanned opportunity to enjoy the summit of Tray again. Back at the ¢T¢ shaped intersection I make the right turn ¢ which I lefted before ¢ and continued my Northward hike.I made my way to Addis Gap with Mousebait (Nicole), Brian and Adam about noon. Maybe noon. I¢m not certain I sent my watch home, plus daylight savings time means very little to my internal clock. If there is light, I¢m up and when the sun is high in the sky I reckon I should eat. Today was filed with gracious provisions of manna.Waiting at Addis Gap, Dot and Go-Far, of the GA ATC provided some of my favorite drinks. Apple Juice and Grape Juice in addition I scored a new fuel bottle. 2 for 1. thank you ladies.Going 0.5 mile down to the water source at Addis Gap there was a party going on. Think back a few moments with me as I descended to the gap, colorful signs were inviting anyone and everyone to come enjoy free food and refreshments. Now as I approached I saw nestled in the side of the trail ??????, a big fire and people milling around. I made my way down and into camp unnoticed by the hosts or other thru-hikers present.I went straight to the cook ¢ Moo. She made me a very, very scrumptious ham and cheese saut©ed onions and pepper sandwich. A second keg was tapped, but I drank sweat tea instead, other snacks I had include Cheese-its, smoked sausage and cheese with triscutts. Moo was from WI and [so Peder even on the AT] I was there eating the best cheese in the world, WI cheese.Later Kelly sang a song about their gathering. This was the 11th or 12th year of spending a week partying with thru-hikers. Here song was peaceful and revealed the name of the gathering as ¢Salamander Lounge¢. So thank you all for the hospitality. It was tempting to accept their offer to stay and party but I was not ready to drain (?) my sleep yet. So I pressed on to Hiawassee.Out of Addis Gap leads straight up an approximately 1000¢ gain to Kelly knob. The climb didn¢t decommission (?) me as others thought it would them. The far side went by a vista. I went up, Brian, Wife And Beater followed. The view was great (sadly I had not camera).While down the blue blaze, Bent Frame passed by on the AT. Eventually I saw him rounding the bend. After passing the idea by Brian I lifted my poles and stealth¢d stepped to within two paces. As he turned ¢ having heard my last step ¢ I yelled. And in his words he ¢leapt out of his skin.¢We all made it down the far side of Kelly Knob to dick Creek Gap. The down hill seemed to never end.I¢d decide to take a zero at Smoke Stack and Mother Nature¢s house in Clarksville, GA. They took Wife and Beater and a couple from Western KY to a motel and Brian to a grocery store. Bent frame can¢t zip (visit their journal see Larry and Barb) and went to their home.I showered, ate pizza and passed out on the basement floor before 9pm.