Date: 2009-03-30
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

It was cold last night. Most who did not purge their camelback hose had a frozen mouthpiece this morning. I had no ice in my water bottles because I had put a couple layes of clothes over them. Again, getting dressed into wet, cold clothing was challenging. My two pair of wet socks I hung over a clothes line were frozen into solid little "U" shaped pieces of wool. I had to wear my third and reserve pair or risk breaking my socks trying to get into them. That decision having been made, I knew I had to get to the hostel by this evening so I could wash and dry some soggy clothing. The aroma wafting off my clothes is memorable, but not in a good way.I left the shelter at 8:45 and it was sunny, yay! I was finally able to see some of the great views that I had been passing but unable to see. On the opposite side of the ridge from which we stayed in the shelter, there was a winter wonderland scene. I'm not quite sure what to call the way the snow, or ice, or frost had formed on the trees. It had a snow consistancy, but was on only the bottom of each branch. It looked like a hoar frost in appearance from a distance, but not quite right. I took a few pictures and hope they show the unique features of the event. The sun was just peaking (peeking works equally well) over the ridge and was really glistening off the whiteness surrounding the trees. It was really beautiful.This was the easiest five miles I have hiked in the Smokies. Nicely graded and mostly slightly downhill.LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, NICE LENSES HAS LEFT THE GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK!This was more like a forced march than a hike through some beautiful mountains. This all due to the weather. There were many interesting rock formations and trees to be seen through the mist, but I seldom saw any long views and I know they were only a sunny day away. Perhaps, someday Grey Squirrel and I will come back and section hike some of the park. I know she would enjoy it regardless of the weather.I got to the Hostel and did my chores. Part of the reason I had wanted to stop here was the old fashioned manner in which it is maintained. I did my laundry in twin set tubs standing side by side. In the first I put some water. There were bars of lye soap to rub into the clothes. Next, in the same tub, there was a ridged wash board like you see people in jug bands playing with thimbles on their fingers. After a brief scrubbing on the wash board, I threw the article into the next tub. When all items were soaped and scrubbed and in the second tub, I individually rinsed and put through the wringer, manual crank between two roller bars, to remove the bulk of the water. All finished with the wash. Very similar to being back at my grandmother's house when I was young. They did have an electric dryer as a slight, but welcome compromise to the system. Clothes were dry in no time. I don't know how clean I got them, but they were better than when I came off the trail.Went and got my drop box, and there were two boxes. Got a surprise box of homemade cookies from my neighbor. They were double boxed and arrived mostly intact. They were delicious, and gone in no time as there were many in the hostel at the time. They all said to say thanks for the cookies. What a nice surprise. Thanks!!!Had a Digiorno Pizza cooked in the hostel kitchen and went to bed rather early. There was a nice fire that I stopped by briefly just before going to bed. In the bunkhouse was an old wood stove that I fired up and stoked, and banked. Got up during the night and restoked the wood. The other occupants were greatful for the heat if not for the squeeky door on the stove. This had some good memories too as I once lived in a house heated only by a wood stove.I should be in Hot Springs in 2-3 days.See you on the trail.Nice LensesJohn