Date: 2013-04-22
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 44.4
Weather: scattered clouds

4/20/2013 - Dicks Creek to Standing Indian Shelter 16.7 milesFitbitSteps 43,259Floors 572Miles 19.23We woke up today in the Budget Inn. The shower was not working right so my shower was notas warm as i had hoped. Me and Daniel got breakfast at the Subway before we headed out, ad yes I got a Yoohoo!!! Yummy!!! The shuttle then took us to Dicks Creek Gap and we were hiking by 9:48am. The trail was pretty Challenging today. Lots of rocks to climb over, roots and the trail was wet from the day before. And it was cold....burrrrrrr!!!! The downs were not so bad, but it was still muddy in some places. During the day I passed the German couple and then caught up to Chiptin at the NC/Ga border!!! Yep one state down 13 to go!!!! Yay!!!! It felt very good to had made it this far. As I went up the hill out of Bly Gap I got to take a pic with the old Oak tree that I've seen so many pics of. I had some really good views today and the pain did not disappoint at all! Made it to camp around 5:50, Dainel, me, Cat, the German guys and TCNY were the only ones at the shelter. I slept I the shelter but boy was it a cold night. Even with the 0degree.. Early night to sleep! 4/21/213 Standing Indian Shelter to Long Branch Shelter 16.3 milesFitbitSteps 40,261Floors 278Miles 17.94What an amazing day today was. Woke a little later than usual due to the cold. It was a really nice day all together. Lots of crazy ups but it was worth the views. When my Internet access gets better ill upload some. The day started out very easy, the first 4 miles passed by in no time. Probably the fastest hiking I've done since I've been out here. Passed the fist shelter in about 3 hours. Carter Gap Shelter. There was a family there that had a dog that didn't like me very much. Lol I signed the book and headed out again. Made it to Betty Creek Gap where I met Bob, nice guy. Say a few then headed out. For some reason my foot was hurting at the back now. Ugh!!! Really painful. When I made it to Bearen Trail/USFS 67 I took off my hiking shoes and put on my crocks... This was much better on my heal. I climbed Albert Mtn to the rangers tower in them. Boh was that a hard climb, but the best thing was that I made 100 miles up there and I got an amazing view!! Just wonderful!!! The next two miles to Long Branch Shelter were fine and everyone made it fine as well. Meet a couple new people. TeeP, and Andrew (a black man hiking the AT) very cool. Just so you know it's not a raciest thought, it's just a fact that black people Rarely hike the AT. Bed time was wary again due to the cold. It needs to warm up some!!! 4/22/213 Long Branch to Siler Bald 11.2 milesFitBitSteps 31,761Floors 251Miles 14.5Woke up with everyone else today, and ate a warm breakfast again. Much needed. The hike today was 6 miles to Winding Stair Gap then head into Franklin for the mail drop and the new pack Lynette sent to me. We had some Great Trail Angels that picked us up from Winding Stairs, then when I got to the outfitter in Franklin a nice lady Mrs. Seal took me to the post office and back to the Outfitter. I'm Glad cause the PO was way to far away!!! I packed everything up, opened my Gifts which were awesome!!!   Thanks Mary & Terry, and Lynette. Me and Daniel then are at Sonic, Cat had already come and gone. :-( hope to see her around, and pray safe journey to her. Me and Daniel then hitched a ride to the trail head and hiked up to Siler Bald Shelter. It's .5 miles off the trail so I just went down to use the privy and get water then hiked back up to a wonderful campsite right off the trail. Daniel is down at the Shelter with 3 other guys, so this is officially my 1st night alone. It's about 7:10 and it's getting chilly. I'm hoping to get an early start so I can make another 16 miler. We will see. Peace out!!! Later!!!!