Date: 2005-04-20
From: Low gap campsite

To: Temple hill gap
Miles today: 16.9

Bug and I have a hard time getting up in the morning. We had grand intentions of waking up with the birds and starting early each morning. Usually when I have car camped in the past, I am awake at first light and mistakenly assumed that would be the case out here. The truth is that when one hikes 10 miles or more up and down huge hills (if not mountains) it downright makes you tired, but I digress. We got started around 8:30 from Low Gap campsite. It was just Bug and I and we had a lovely campfire last night. He was a little unhappy with me this morning as I had put the tent on a bed of tree roots (under his back). In fairness to me, the choice was that, very unlevel tent platform, or one that was in a bit of a hole (not good because of the rain that was moving through). The storm cleared out and we had a beautiful morning to wake to. We headed out from camp, and hiked up to Big Bald. What a wonderful sight! I wish you could all be out here to experience some of the things we see. Big Bald was incredible at 5,516 feet. It was a clear and calm morning and the sun was rising in the east as we summitted. We had 360* views of the mountains, those we had come across and those yet to climb. As we hiked down towards Big Stamp, I told Bug that I felt I should be running and tumbling down the hillside in a calico dress carrying my lunchbox, with the theme from Little House on the Prairie being played in the background. Balds are a mystery and there are many theories as to why there is no growth on them. They are these expanses of open fields with grass, and few, if any trees growing on them.We continued to hike and stopped at Bald Mountain Shelter for a brief respite to eat snacks and read the register. These registers are fun to read, you could call them the local AT newsletter. We find out how those ahead of us are doing, what kind of weather they have had, and sometimes news from the "real world" if someone has carried in a newspaper or talked to folks back home. Someone put it best to me when they referred to those hiking the AT as a linear society. You get ahead or behind those you have been hiking with, and run into others along the way who may have talked with them. So you can get information about those around you within about 40 miles in either direction. Hope that makes sense. It is almost as if we have stepped back in time, before TV, telephone, internet.There were gorgeous views and incredible weather as we hiked today. When we arrived at the side trail to High Rocks though, we couldn't bring ourselves to climb the extra 180 feet to the summit, although I was told later it was an amazing view. We still had at least 6 miles to do so we kept moving. The beauty about some of these side trips we have skipped is that they are close to roads and parking areas, so we can come back on a day hike sometime in the future. We hiked on to Spivey Gap where there was a lovely ice-cold stream. Bug and I decided that this looked like the perfect place for lunch and stopped for a spell. We both changed into our crocs (see gear list if you don't know what these are), and soaked our feet. Out here, you learn to appreciate even the coldest of water. Mom, it made Maywood feel room temp. The water was so cold our feet stung, but it took the swelling down, and they felt almost like new when we hiked out. We also washed the salt and grime off of our hands and face and even dunked our head in to cool down. Some very nice older gentlemen hiked by and were from a local hiking club. We spoke with them for a bit. One was from Erwin, TN and the other from Johnson City. The fellow from Erwin shared that he would be turning 72 in August and was doing the AT in sections. I am so inspired by the older generation of hikers I have seen out on the trail and admire their tenacity and spunk. As I talked with the man from Johnson City, he told me that he had served with Memphis' own Elvis in Germany. It was pretty cool to hear personal accounts about a man who so many flock to pay tribute to each year. They continued on, as did we.After passing the road at Spivey gap we hiked along a cool stream/waterfall called Oglesby Branch and was a little saddened that we didn't stop there instead. I enjoyed the breeze that was lifted off the water though as I hiked, it made for such a nice afternoon. I am hoping that we will get to see the rhodadendron all in bloom. They look as if they are about to burst with blooms. Just in the last couple of days, the trees have begun to bloom and wildflowers have popped up all over. We have learned what Spring Beauty looks like and I believe that is the sweet smell I am getting along the trail. The trillium is beginning to come into full bloom, the dogwoods are all over and just amazing, and Bug and I even spied some pitcher plants, just before crossing under I-40 at Waterville School Rd. Yesterday we hiked some with Dorothy and T-2, and they shared with us what Ramps were. We picked some along the way (they grow everywhere), and cooked some with our dinners. Ramps are a type of wild onion/garlic. Wonderful flavor, but we have heard to be careful and not to go overboard (bad results, gastrointestinally).We finally ran into Cupcake, Snowbunny, Hairball, and Tree Trunks at No Business Knob Shelter. They had hiked out ahead of us at Hot Springs, and did a long day. So we have been behind for the last few days. After a half hour break at the shelter, we collected water for the night and hiked on to Temple Hill Gap. Not a bad hike, in fact, it was nice hiking in the cool of the late afternoon/early evening. We wanted to get a little closer to Erwin for 2 reasons, #1 the rain is supposed to be moving in on Thursday, and #2 getting into town early lets us enjoy more of the "amenities" of town without having to spend as many nights. We got to the gap just a little bit ago, and it looks as if a road runs into the trail. I think it is just an old logging road though that is probably closed off somewhere down the way. We have decided this looks like a good level spot, so we set up camp, and we're cooking dinner now. We had extra food this section, so we've been doing double dinners the last few nights. Tonight it looks to be Tortellini with tomato soup and ramps, and lipton rice sides with ramps. The skies look calm, and I am hoping that will make for a beautiful sunrise. We have a nice valley here that opens to the east, and we are hoping to get up bright and early in the morning. This will depend on when we stir though, Bug's watch alarm quit working quite awhile ago. Tune in 'til next time!