Date: 2006-03-16
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap (Blueberry Patch Hiker Hostel)
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

3-16-06Tray Mountain Shelter to Dicks Creek Gap (Blueberry Patch Hiker Hostel)To go to bed every night to the setting sun and to wake every morning to the very same sun, rising in all its warmth and glory, well, I think there is no better reason than that to hike the Appalachian Trial.Last night was not as cold as it had been the previous night, but still a feet-stomping briskness in the morning. Our tent overlooked the sunrise as I enjoyed my morning fuel of granola and hot cocoa. Uncle John and I packed up as quickly as we could, in eagerness to get a move on as early as possible, for we had a destination in mind, the Blueberry Patch Hiker Hostel. This was a highly acclaimed hostel, but it only had room for seven in the bunkhouse, with another three spots available for camping outside. We wanted to be one of the lucky seven, so off we marched, Uncle John, the Beast, and I.The terrain was difficult today, but by 10AM we came upon the two hikers I'm always just catching up to, Chris and Andy. We said hi and chatted, and apparently they had the same idea as us, to make it to the Blueberry Patch that night. A little farther on we encountered Kelly's Knob, the big climb of the day. We made it up a good portion of the Knob before it started to rain, and while we were putting on our rain gear, Andy and Chris passed us. Now I started to get nervous about if we were going to make it to the Blueberry Patch in time to get some space in the bunkroom. Dogboy also was passed by us and then passed us by, and he actually spoke to me! As he was going by, he turned to me and said, "What day is it?" I was so astonished that he was talking to me I couldn't even comprehend what day it was, and I stuttered and spurted and finally managed a to burst out with a "Thursday!" But now three people were ahead of us so things were not looking good for the hostel.The trail leading down into Dick's Creek Gap is probably more than two miles downhill, and is very misleading, as it gives you a minute view of the road, leading you to think you are almost there, when really you have another mile to go before you get to Gap and US 76. I will later find this happens quite frequently on the trail.When we finally arrived, we saw Chris, Andy, and Dogboy all loading up into this lady's car to go to the Blueberry Patch. I feared for the worse when I called Gary, but he said catch a ride down, there were only three people there now. So we did what any other thru-hiker does when he needs a ride somewhere, we stuck our thumbs our. Five or six cars passed us by before a gigantic truck pulled over and picked us up.I threw our stuff in the back of the truck and hopped in the cab. Our drivers were two young Georgian good ol' boys with thick Southern accents and tattoos covering their forearms, who did construction work in the area. Uncle John and I talked to them about hunting and fishing all the way to the Blueberry Patch. Their names: Dwayne and Magee.When we reached the hostel, we hoisted our packs for the back of the truck, said our goodbyes, and watched as they drove away with the world¢s largest exhaust system into the distance."Come All Who Are Weary" is the sign that greeted us at the entrance to the hostel. We entered and were greeted by Gary, who told us that yes, there were still two bunks left, which we were very glad to here. Our host then showed us around the bunkroom, explained the laundry system, and showed us where to get a soda or cook, where the bathroom with a shower was, and the pile of packages held for AT hikers. I took it easy for a bit and drank a Coke, then found Uncle John's and my packages. I switched into my moon suit (what I call it when I'm only wearing rain gear), so I could watch every little bit of clothing I had.Our fellow occupants at this hostel were Chris, Andy, Joe (Walkabout), Amy (Caboose), and Tinker. Later a younger guy named Matt and a big guy named U-Haul would join us and camp outside. I was pretty hungry so I made some hummus and grubbed it down with some leftover crackers. My efforts to push the rest of my beef jerky and sun dried tomatoes onto people weren't really working, their loss I suppose.Our hosts were Gary and Lennie Poteat. I believe Gary is a minister of sorts, that or either very religious. He and his son had hiked the trail back in 1990. He is a very nice man, very giving and helpful, as is his wife Lennie. They were going into to town that night to get a few things done that night, so they offered Uncle John and I a ride. It was about 7 miles into Hiawassee and we had them drop us off at Dairy Queen, where we snacked on a few frozen treats (mmmmm.... Mint Oreo Blizzards).After our scrumptious snack, we made out way down the main street to Ingles. I felt like the town freak in my moon suit, me wearing silver pants and a long-sleeved bright green jacket when it was 70 degrees and sunny out. We picked up some supplies at Ingles for the other hostel dwellers and got ourselves some ceasar salad mix, chicken tenderloins, and some garlic bread for the feast I was going to prepare when we got back. They didn't have any sunscreen there so we made our way over to the drugstore, and while walking over there we ran into Gary and Lennie incidentally. Since they had to get some milk and then were going back to their home, we arranged for them to pick us up at the drugstore. Sunscreen found and purchased, we returned home to cook up the feast. It was delicious.After dinner I sorted out all my food packaging stuff, figuring out about how much food I would need for the next week. I really haven't been as hungry as I thought I would be, so that saves me a bit on the weight. But the Beast was again packed full, ready to burden me. I called my Mom to arrange my food drop and chat, my Dad (which this hike wouldn't have been possible without his help), and my love, Shanae, to catch up and say goodnight.Stayed awake up on the very top bunk for a few more hours catching up on my journal writing. I knocked my pillow off the bed though, and had to make a midnight, all-dark descent off these rickety bunks with no ladders for a rescue-mission and almost came crashing down. Got the pillow, and finally went to sleep, even with the four different people snoring in the room (even the girl, Caboose, was a smite nasally).