Date: 2007-03-12
From: Springer Mt., GA

To: Long Creek Falls, GA
Miles today: 4.9

What does one say about day 1 of a thru hike? It was 10 degrees, snowed 10inches, and the wind was blowing 50 mph......JUST KIDDING! LOLIt was to me an unbelievably perfect day. No wind, in the upper 60's, no rainand skies so clear it was like you could see heaven. I couldn't believe itactually.After a nauseating ride up the forrest service road 42, (I thought I was goingto ralph chunks people), Nicole and I headed up the .9 mile hike to the summitof Springer. It wasn't bad at all....and Nicole decided to follow my SLOOOOWlead so she wouldn't push too hard.So we get to the top and a group of people are there. Suddenly, a guy goes,"Are you Michele?" I go yes, and he introduced himself as Geek...the guy whothru'd with Ziggy the cat! I gave him a big hug and then him and Budan startedlaughing at me because of my million and one journal entries prior to my hike.Apparently I'm already "known" by some because of that! I told them to stopmaking fun of my OCD! We were all dying laughing.Then Geek offered me a shot of Canadian Whiskey to celebrate, which I gladlyaccepted and drank from the lid of a Nalgene bottle! WAAAAY COOOL!I signed the register and took pics and we were on our way. There was a trailmaintenance crew out and we talked to them and thanked them. Olane, was a manwho is part of the GA crew, took Nicole's and I picture and he's entering it inhis clubs photo contest! We may soon be celebrities! LOLWe took lots of breaks, got our first water fill up at Stover Creek andabsolutely enjoyed every moment....we were in a euphoric daze. We also made abet that the first person to fall had to buy the other one a pint of ice cream. Everyone at the hostel told us to take the .2 mile blue blaze and see the LongCreek Falls, so we did. It is stunning, a 40ft water fall, the sound of rushingwater, and guess what, we decided to stay for the night and at this very momentI am sitting next to the waterfall. We got here around 3:30 and decided it was a smart move, because we heard 50 to75 people were starting just today! Our choice was validated by 4 guys showingup who said there were no places to camp at the shelter. As a hanger, I wasn't concerned about finding a spot.....EVERY spot is good forme! My dinner was what I'm calling Soup de Hamburger Helper.....yup to much wateragain! haa haa I ate it anyway even though I wasn't hungry.I hung my hammock with no problems and will go to sleep tonight listening torushing water.It's cooling off but is so nice out. I'm going to start off with no sleeping padand see what happens. Low is supposed to be in the mid 40's.I did think I was feeling one hot spot today so I immediately stopped and putduct tape on it. No blisters and feet are a bit tired but I have never enjoyeda hike as much as I did today. I feel spoiled......and I guess I am. Oh no cell signal at the falls...just in case anyone wanted to know.We are here with Patriot a guy who is hiking for the Cancer society. He wears a3 pointed hat and carries a homemade hatchet made from a car spring. Prettyhilarious. He is a very interesting character.Well...best get to sleep..another beautiful day in the forecast for tomorrow.It is 8 o'clock and I am not too tired but my hammock is calling.~Michele