Date: 2010-05-03
From: Hughes Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

May 3, 2010 ¢ Day 28 - Monday"If it's not fun, you're not doing it right."   ~Leif DragsethStaying at the hostel paid off. The anticipated rain storm struck during the early morning. A hard pounding on the bunkhouse tin roof announced the low's arrival. By daylight the rain continued in a heavy down pour. I was hoping the fast moving clouds indicated the storm would pass within hours so I could get back to the trail. News reports on the hostel television talked about severe flooding in counties north of Greasy Creek and all along the western Tennessee state line.CC (Connie) the owner of Greasy Creek Friendly, made breakfast of eggs, potatoes with ramps, toast and coffee for those wanting the meal. Almost everybody who smelled the aromas dance around the room wanted in on the feast. By 10:00 the rain and wind stopped and it looked like we might be able to get out of the hostel by afternoon. Troll, Bismark, Limestone and I paid our bills, waited for CC to finish cooking breakfast for the 20 or so guests, and loaded our backpacks into the vehicle for the shuttle back to Hughes Gap. I was impressed with CC's operation and would recommend everyone on the AT to stop in and say hi. You will be greeted by CC and guests alike with the words Welcome, take your shoes off, wash your hands and come join us.By the time everything was in order for CC it was 1:00 in the afternoon before we were back on the trail. Immediately, we started the climb up Roan Mt. I remembered the climb from '04 and nothing changed. It was a long, hard climb up the mountain. All indications on the trail reflected the intense rain and confirmed our decision to sit this one out under a roof was a wise one. Finally made it to the highest shelter on the trail, Roan Mountain Shelter, where we had lunch and watched the clouds arrive and depart through the conifer forest.Throughout the afternoon my fellow hikers and I walked through clouds. Views normally seen from Carvers Gap, Round Top Bald and Jane Bald were a sheet of white. Visibility was less than 100 ft. By the time Troll, Bismark, Limestone and I were over the balds, small sections in the clouds opened in mystical swirls to reveal the mountain valleys below.One of my goals for this hike was to stay at Overmountain Shelter, a converted red barn that sits near the top of a mountain with a gorgeous view of a valley below. Sitting at the picnic table eating my supper I watch low dark grey clouds cover the valley below and to my right encompass and conceal the huge mountain balds of Little and Big Hump. This is one of my favorite places on the trail. When I told Troll how I felt about Overmountain he expressed the same feelings. I talked so much about this place everyone looked forward to seeing it for themselves.We met Truth at Overmountain and heard his story of surviving the storm at Clyde Smith Shelter. The winds were powerful, the shelter leaked and it rained so hard the trail was a running creek, completely soaking his socks and boots.I was not disappointed at my stay at the red barn. All the planning to be here at the same time as good weather paid off. Tomorrow should be a visually striking day of mountain vistas and fair weather - a hiker's dream - my dream. That¢s why I go hiking, to make my dreams come alive.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe