Date: 2013-03-08
From: Cheese Factory

To: Dick's Creek gap
Miles today: 13.0

We all slept in at the cheese factory-- I didn't get up until after 7am! The barred owls put on an awesome show last night, even making some calls I've never heard before. In the morning I heard one close by and amazed everyone with my ability to replicate their call (sarcasm). The owl wasnt impressed either and we watched him fly away. We took our time and built a small fire. I was lazy and enjoyed the warmth , putting off the freezing business of packing up my gear. I ate the last of my brownies for breakfast ( healthy right? The sugar really seems to help me get moving on tough climbs ) and started up Tray Mountain. It was a climb but nothing serious and the views on top were amazing! To the north we could see small rolling mountains with clouds amongst the summits against a back drop of massive looking, snow covered, rocky peaks that were reminiscent of my recent trip out west. We took lots of pictures. Later Brice rejoined us and asked if we had enjoyed our view of the smokies. "When?" He replied that those were the massive peaks we saw in the distance and we would be there next week. My response was limited to a single four letter word. After that I started booking it. The sun came up and it got pretty warm and I hiked in only my shorts. I felt really great and on top of the world. I had gone from couch potato to master of the mountains! Well my cockiness was short lived. In lieu of snow the AT decided to crush my spirits with a grueling climb up Kelly Knob. My legs are sore just thinking about it now. When we stopped for lunch, we were surprised to see Fly walking South!! She had gone into hiawassee the day before and gotten a knee brace and stayed at the blueberry patch hostel. She recommended it highly. She is hiking this section south and then hitching back north to hopefully rejoin us. We also ran into another southbound hiker coming from Maine! I don't know when he left but he must have had one hell of a hike. Fly told us he plans to turn around once he gets to Springer Mountain and hike back north to Maine! At least he should be warmer then...Kelly Knob was the big climb of the day but we had many miles to go after that to Dick's Creek Gap. We got there about 15 minutes before Gary, the owner of the Blueberry Patch, arrived to pick us up ( we had called and asked for a ride with about 2 hours left in our hike). Gary and his wife run the hostel 100% on donations and they gave us all a hot shower, a place to sleep, laundry service, rides to town, and breakfast! We immediately asked Gary if we could get a ride to a buffet in town and he took us right away. Me, Moxie, Joe, Slapp, Brice, and Dragon went to Daniels Steak House and stuffed ourselves with salad bar and seafood buffet items. I had really been craving vegetables and made two trips to the salad bar section, one to regular food, and one for dessert. I ate a lot but true hiker hunger has yet to kick in. Brice on the other hand really put it away and had to take a knee outside the restaurant so that he could "breathe better." We sure got some odd looks. We walked to a pharmacy where Slapp, Brice, and I each got knee braces. We are all having some discomfort and I am trying my best alleviate it. Ibuprofen, Moxie's deep breathing method, and focusing on keeping both feet pointed straight ahead has helped immensely. Everyone in town knew we were hikers by our odd apparel ( Gary and his wife were doing our laundry for us so our clothes were mismatched, even for hikers. I wore a bright red down jacket, athletic shorts, and crocs-- and my hair was greasier than a pound of bacon). At the grocery store I needed food to reach Franklin, NC in four days but was so stuffed I could hardly decide what to get. I ended up with tortillas, peanut butter, honey, some pasta sides, some pepperoni, a block of pepper jack cheese, dried cranberries, a medley of clif's bars, and a Gatorade to replace my POSSIBLY contaminated bottle. I am too paranoid about that. While waiting for Gary to come get us we ran into another hiker named Hui and he told us he planned on trying to stay at the blueberry patch as well. He had been there before on his thru hike in 06. Moxie and I got coffee from the Starbucks in the store and the barista told me I was getting major dude points for what I was doing. We stuffed the seven of us into Gary's jeep cherokee and headed back to the hostel. The rest of the night was spent visiting, repairing gear, and getting ready for tomorrow's hike. ( 12 miles to muskrat creek shelter). I also passed around my pack and a sharpie and had everyone sign it. I look forward to it being covered with the names of people I've met on the trail. I'm going to sleep now and instinctually I started stuffing my down jacket into its pouch to use as a pillow only to realize... I have a real pillow tonight. What a luxury! People keep asking me how much fun I'm having.... As I said to Joe the Hiker the other day..." It's somewhere between Disney World and slamming your hand in a car door." I'm having the adventure of my life though. I'd be satisfied if it ended tomorrow, but I hope it goes on for some time. To those wanting to send me food, etc (Cindy and Robby) I'll let you know a good mailing point ASAP! I'm always hungry but still trying to figure out the best foods for the trail. Weight vs calories vs nutritional benefit vs taste....Thanks for all the support...! My family has been fantastic... i'm not sure everyone's parents would be as encouraging and supportive of their son's crazy adventure as mine have been but it makes the trip much easier! My friends have been great as well! Rob drove me to the trailhead and hiked in with me, and has handled some affairs back home for me. He and others have also extended an open offer to come join me for a hike, or take me off the trail to rest and eat. I look forward to taking everyone up on these offers. Tomorrow I will walk out of Georgia and into North Carolina. I'm eager to get out of this state (second highest in terms of elevation change).PS I sleep on a thermarest ridge rest. It has been pretty good so far but I've never tried anything else so I don't know what I'm missing. Some of the inflatable pads sound really nice and comfortable but I know Slapp once had one ruined by a stray ember coming out of a campfire. It would really be terrible to have to do without a sleeping pad because your inflatable one was popped...PPS I never want to see snow again so Spring better beat me north.