Date: 2014-05-23
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Up early as I was anxious to once again be on the trail and hopeful for the rest of my journey. I was not early enough to join Pop C on the way out of town. He's an early bird and was packed and leaving when woke up at 6. I headed out at 7:30 and was joined by an old hound dog that had infiltrated the hostel last night. The AT out of Erwin follows the Nolichucky River for about 2 miles. It's a nice start before heading back up the mountain. Less than an hour in and the sky darkened in like seconds and the thunderstorm ripped. I hustled to unpack rain gear- jacket, pants and pack cover. Here I was weeks into my hike and this was the first time I needed to wear all the gear. Shortly thereafter a faster hiker passed and that hound dog went with him. I guess he wanted a faster pace. Speaking of that the foot was good and I was moving at a good clip.The storm was quite furious for about an hour. Not too far from me but out of sight a large tree crashed to the ground. I hard the deep "thud" and felt the vibration. On the climb and of course at a narrow section of trail I came upon a fresh dead fall from the storm. Thankfully the rain had stopped but I had to bushwhack around the tree on a steep steep slope below the trail. The hiker that passed and evidently done the same. Those following will have a hard time of it as the bypass route gets worn.To my surprise and joy a SOBO, who I did not immediately recognize called my name "Logman, Is that you?" It was Peas Pa who along with New Man had passed me when I laid over in Gatlinburg. Peas Pa had shuttled to trail days in Damascus from Hot Springs and with the aid of his wife was slack packing south back to Hot Springs to complete the section of trail. He would then return to Damascus and continue north. It was great to see him again.I was hiking good but at the usual 3.5 to 4 hour mark my foot once again and for the third time began to react negatively to the effort of hiking. At the point it began to affect my walk I was about 1 mile from Indian Grave Gap. I made the decision immediately that it would not heal without professional help and probably more rest than I could give it on the trail. Sadly it was home for me.At about the decision time I once again heard my name. "Logman, I thought you would get here while I ate lunch." It was Pop C. I was really glad to see him once again before leaving the trail. We went down to Indian Grave Gap together. On the way down I called for a shuttle that I hoped to take all the way to Johnson City, TN to a car rental place. At the Gap Pop C and I got some great trail magic. BT, a catholic brother...Brother Tom, hence BT was there sharing homemade banana bread and brownies from his congregation. There were chairs to rest in. Pop C stayed until my shuttle came. Very sad to shake his hand for the last time. It was 1:30 when I arrived at Indian Gap and by shortly after 3 I was in Johnson City at Enterprise getting my ride. I was excited to be heading home to Cathy but not happy to be off the trail. The long drive home gave me ample opportunity to think of "Plan B". I did not come up with it, but friends there WILL be a Plan B. This injury has not diminished my dream and I will complete the AT.I got home at 10 after a long drive that included two wrong turns and maybe an extra 30 miles. It seemed surreal to be on the AT for several hours and in the same day be home in the arms of my love, Cathy. That was good for the ending of a rather sad day.Blessings,