Date: 2003-04-08
From: Cheese Factory

To: Dick's Creek Gap (Hiawasse Inn)
Miles today: 12.5

It has rained for 4 days, and when it isn't raining it is foggy. The fog can be worse since tents and shelters keep out rain but fog gets everywhere. Everything is damp and there is no way to dry it. The fog also gives an eerie feeling and you can't see the next mountain so you never know what is around the next corner. With a constant mist condensing on the trees, there are constantly dripping just like it is raining anyhow. There is no place to sit, so you can't take a break. So far, I have not been really cold, hungry, or thirsty, but I have been extremely wet. This morning I was the first up and the first to leave, but I could tell everyone was almost ready. Everyone was very excited about getting to town and getting dry. I waited until it was too late to put on my raingear. I thought it was just dripping from the trees because of the fog, but I wound up getting soaked. I finally put on the raingear and at least it kept me warm, some times too warm. I was out of water, so I took a trail that supposedly led to a spring. I went half way down the mountain and I could see even further down and I turned back since I didn't want to hike a mile out of the way. Sometimes it is a cruel joke that they put shelter as much as 1.7 miles from the trail. Soon Reason came up behind me, I couldn't believe it: he is usually the last into camp. I was proud of the fact I was doing 2 miles an hour. How he caught up to me is beyond me. He suggested we stop at a shelter, wait for the girls and enjoy some lunch. We cooked some food and Larry said the girls were right behind him and heading to the road instead of the shelter. Reason and I hiked as fast as we could to catch up. We did catch up right at the road. Larry, Woods, and I hitched a ride to town while Twig, Nuts, and Loser all caught a shuttle to the same place. Larry has been with us for a while. He stays in a hammock like mine. I haven't mentioned him mostly because he is so quiet. Every day he winds up at the same place even though he is about 65 years old and his feet are in bad shape. We have given him a trail name of Big E. We all are drying everything and went out to an all you can eat (AYCE). We ran into Baltimore Jack again since Neels gap. We are keeping up with him, and he has done the entire trail 7 of the last 8 years. He's quite famous on the trail. I really enjoy the group I am with. Their support is excellent and there isn't a personality flaw in the bunch. We have been passing slower hikers and have seen many leaving for home. I hope a day off will do my knee some good. I'm a little worried since even Reason caught up to me today. The weather is only getting colder for the next couple days but it will be dryer. I really wish I could make this journal really show trail life but it is much more like a snapshot. When I take a picture of a fantastic view you can't appreciate the beauty of the walk up to the top of the hill, or the odd looking tree that is just out of view of the picture. I don't bother telling about stopping and watching a grouse for 20 minutes strut it's stuff, just more of the nuts and bolts. Just realize so much is happening all around that would only have to be experienced to be truly appreciated. It is a shame; I wish I could carry a video camera to really show it all. I could carry one but it must weigh less than two grams.Peace,Dutch