Date: 2006-03-31
From: Rock Gap Shelter, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day: 14Date:3/31/06Start:Rock Gap Shelter, NCFinish:Winding Stair Gap, NC/ Hwy 64/Franklin, NCMiles: 4Cumulative A.T. Miles:Clay: Last night we were fortunate to find a tent space at the shelter. There are literally no designated spaces to speak of. Staying on durable surfaces, we practiced LNT and set up for the night next to the moldy, sporulating stone wall beside the shelter. For us, this was a much better decision than traveling extra miles, climbing 500 vertical feet with the remote chance of finding a campsite, and possibly having to hitch into Franklin.This morning we were up and out by 6:40 A.M.--a new record for us. Our intuitions paid off. The climb was tough and there was only one unmarked camping site that could hold two tents on the 4-mile trek to the road. These tent sites were occupied by The Wanderers and a nice lady with a dog. We passed the Wanderers as they ate breakfast and we said "hello" to our friends as we passed by. The sunrise from their tent site was phenomenal.The shuttle was scheduled to be at Winding Stair Gap at 9:30 A.M. Given Branch's hip and knee problems, we were supposed to mosey to the gap. Instead, she hoofed it and we made the 4 miles in 1.5 hours. When her hip and knee heal, she is going to fly! What a woman!Winding Stair Gap (Highway 64) is a major highway. So, hitching should be no problem we assumed. We were incorrect however. The cumulative time for all 4 of our previous hitches was a mere 16 minutes. (Three of us prayed for these hitches). Today at Hwy 64, however, we could not get a hitch to save our life! When the Wanderers came to the gap, Gear (7th grader), Sarah (recent high-school grad.), Branch, and Miss Swiss tried to look cute for the highway travelers. It did not work. So, instead, we had to catch the shuttle--54 minutes later. It was a lot of fun trying to do the big group hitch.Branch: We got to town around 10:00 and decided to stay at the Haven Motel. The owner of the Haven is throwing a big hiker party this weekend and we wanted to be where other hikers are.After a surprisingly short shower, we walked to the post office to pick up the package that Craig's Mom sent. This is when the coolest thing happened. We asked the gentleman working at the counter for directions to Wal-Mart, and as he gave them it became apparent that the Wal-Mart was a good distance away. Dejected, we went through, our wonderfully packed package, complete with cookies (thanks Mom!) and prepared to walk to the store. As we prepared to leave, the gentleman from the counter came up to us and said that if we'd wait about 10 minutes, he could take us. Soon after we got into the car, the man asked if we were Christians. God had prodded his heart to take us to the store and this faithful Christian had been obedient. Thank you!This evening we decided to attend the big hiker party. We got there around 6:30 and were surprised by the number of people milling around. Right away we recognized to good friends of ours, Sherlock and Circuit Rider. They've been making great time on their thru-hike and have already caught up with us. It was such a great time seeing them and talking with them. During the party we also had a wonderful time hanging out with Crake, Cheeto, Goodhand, and several other hikers that we've been hiking with. They are all leaving tomorrow, so we'll be switching groups when we get back on the trail. We will certainly miss our new friends.