Date: 2018-04-16
From: Wayah Bald 

To: Tellico Gap
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light snow

On the menu was Oatmeal with nuts & berries for breakfast. I washed it down with a hot cup of coffee.As has become our routine, we loaded ourselves up in the SUV for Papa Big Swig to drive to our starting point. It wasn¢t long before we saw snow capped mountains.  They were absolutely beautiful, and soon we would be in them.  We saw a couple of young hikers walking the same direction as we were driving. They were a good mile or more from the A.T. so we moved things around and squeezed them in. 1 Nissan Xterra, 5 adults, 2 dogs, and lots of backpacks! It was close quarters but they were grateful because it was cold this morning. Like 32 degrees cold! Our hike began on top of Wayah Bald mountain. It was snow covered and windy! A lookout tower is there but neither of us went up. There would have been no view. All around us was a white abyss of snow and clouds. There were a few other hikers we knew checking it out so we took time for a group photo. They were waiting on a ride back into town because everything they owned was wet and frozen from camping the night before. We said our goodbyes, then Orlando and I started walking north. The trail was completely snow covered. I took the lead. It was slow going. I had to use my trekking poles to feel for tree roots and rocks/boulders. Each step I took was taken cautiously and purposefully.  We started on top this morning so that means we were going down!! My favorite way to start the day! But going down in the snow was tricky and soon I had my first fall! My foot slipped right out from under me and I could hear my mom say ¢down goes McGinney¢. I have no idea where that came from, but she always said it when the kids were learning to walk and they would plop down on their bottoms. I made up my own spelling but it¢s pronounced with a hard G sound.  I got back up, brushed the snow off and carried on. Somewhere over the course of the next mile I got ahead of Orlando. There I was in a beautiful snow covered wonderland all alone. I loved it! The snow kept coming, and it was below freezing temps, but I was just fine.  There was one big up. It was over 4,000ft elevation. Just as I Reached the top there was Cold Springs shelter. It was perfectly positioned on the trail for a great place to stop for lunch. Before long Orlando arrived and we both took a 15 minutes break. We quickly got cold while eating lunch as the sweat we just worked up climbing the mountain began to evaporate.   A few other hikers arrived before we left. They planned to stay there the rest of the night as their clothing was frozen too. I hope they¢re able to find warmth. One of them remembered Papa Big Swig had given them burgers a few days ago. They all sent thanks to him again.  Orlando got ahead of me pretty quickly after lunch so I hiked the rest of the way alone. White flakes kept falling and it was so serene. The miles passed by quickly until I saw Orlando waiting for me at the Tellico Gap parking lot. This was my most favorite hiking day so far!   Papa Big Swig moved the camper to Fontana Village today while we hiked. It¢s right beside the dam. I¢m not there yet, but he says it¢s beautiful. Right now we¢re at Stecoah Diner in a little mountain town also known as Stecoah. The friendliest people run this place! I can clearly picture my friend Lisa running this little diner, it would be right up her alley. I had a cheeseburger and fries. It was scrumptious! Then I finished up with coconut pie and coffee.  We have no internet or WiFi at our new campground, so I¢ll end my entry now while I can upload it. I¢m planning to put my boots back on tomorrow.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)  Where¢s your faith?