Date: 2004-02-24
From: Gathlinberg, TN

To: New Jersey
Miles today: 0.0

I haven't had a chance since Monday night to write. It was a quick wake up and leave camp on Monday. We made it down to the approach trail in 3 hours and 15 minutes. We were moving. I had thought the approach trail was more difficult but was happy to find that it wasn't. We got down to the truck and showered all before noon. That was nice because I was HUNGRY!! I was ready for the Smith House and all you can eat! I don't think I will loose any weight on this hike. I'm eating too much. At the Smith House we got sat with four Cherokee Cousins who were in town for an aunt's funeral. They were an interesting bunch. We got to hear lots of stories about their lives. We figured them all to be about 55 to maybe 62 years old. It was interesting to say the least.The rain held off for our hiking and or drive. It was nice to look at all the mountains we walked around during the past 2 weeks. It was nice to have heat too! We had stopped up at Neels Gap for Stumpknocker to buy a new backpack. That's a sign of a true hiker! The man just finished hiking 2163 miles over 7 months and is buying a new backpack for future hikes. NICE!!!!!! Way to go STUMPIE! After the purchase it was down to Goose Creek Cabins to pick up my box of stuff.The drive to Gathlinberg was long but the views were amazing. I just love the south! We drove up and over New Found Gap in the SMokeys. We took a few pictures up at the top. Still had a bit of snow on the ground. Wonder what the trail looks like leading up to Clingman's? I can't believe in just 3 more weeks I'll be crossing these mountains by foot. I hope the weather is kind to me. Nice sunny 65 degree skies!!!!!!! Hey no one has ever proven that wishful thinking doesn't work. I believe it does. I would like to start seeing some views while down south. The last 2 weeks I spent more time looking at the inside of clouds. I hate crossing over balds in those conditions. It's time for some sunshine!!!!We headed into the Grand Prix Hotel in Gathlinberg. Nice people, they gave us both a book! Tripod showed up about an hour after us. We hit the town for dinner. You know it's all about the food after all! Had a nice steak dinner not an all you can eat buffet. It didn't take long for me to feel sleepy. I couldn't wait to sleep with a pillow again. I think that is the one thing I really miss when I'm out there. A Pillow! Got to figure something out with that!Tuesday is was time to say goodbye to Stumpknocker and head back up north. It is sad to see him go. I had a lot of fun stalking him this year. Not that I'll miss his smart ass comments like teasing me about smashing Tripod's truck into a pole. I'm really happy I started my thru hike going in the wrong direction. It was great to have those last 2 weeks hiking together. Stumknocker you will be missed! It was Great to Stalk you those 553 miles last year. I still expect to see you and maybe even Jan stalking me this year. And Trail Magic! I can't wait to see what you do.After a quick Goodbye with Stumpie we were off to New Jersey. 700 miles following the trail back home. Nice day for a drive. Sunny Skies after we reached virginia. I love Virginia! I still think it's my favorite state along the trail. It's just so pretty and love those blues skies! We got 11 hours of beautiful driving. It didn't get dark until we reached New Jersey. Perfect day of driving. Can't wait to see what the flight to Puerto Rico will be like.