Date: 2008-02-08
From: 1 mile N of Devils Creek Gap, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: few clouds

I ended up sleeping very well last night in my tent.I didn't wake up till almost 7am. I got my stove out and started coffee brewing, then had the last three waffles that Socks '05 had sent to me.I didn't have jelly on them though, I had sour cream and that was good. :-)It was a very mild morning at 28 degrees.I packed all my stuff and started walking north at 8:20am.Even though the sun had been up for about an hour when I started walking, I got to enjoy three sunrises this morning. :-)The sun popped up over the mountain to the east of me, then the Trail went lower and that mountain got higher, so the sun went down again before rising just for me as it popped up over that mountain again....then it did that one more time before I had the sunrise that lasted....phew, that was a lot to explain. Ha! :-)I got to No Business Knob Shelter and signed the register. I see Caveman left here earlier this morning, which means that he's still knocking down all the spider webs in the Trail for me. ;-)I walked on and got to Temple Hill Gap about 2 1/2 miles later, then started a climb up to Temple Hill.I ended up on a ridge walk and not before long; I got a glimpse of the Nolichucky River way below me.I kept walking and started the descent of about 1,500 ft into Erwin.I had called Miss Janet and she said she'd pick me up around 12:30 near the river.When I got down the hill, I was walking by Uncle Johnny¢s and could see three guys out front....and one of them was Caveman who had just walked in about 10 minutes before me.I went over and thanked him for the spider web sweep. :-)Looks like I'll be getting ahead of him though because he's taking a few days off to spend with friends.I was talking to Lance, CB and Caveman when Miss Janet drove by, so I said goodbye and hopped in the van.We stopped at a dairy bar for lunch, then I checked on the Best Southern Motel for their rates.It was going to be $60.00 a night with tax.That's an older motel and didn't serve breakfast, so I went back to the Holiday Inn Express who is $20.00 more, but has new rooms, breakfast and internet....much nicer for another $20.00.I thanked Miss Janet once again. :-) She's become a good friend over the years.I checked in to the motel, took a shower and washed my clothes in the tub, then set my stuff out to dry when Mango picked me up at 6pm for dinner in Johnson City.I got ready for dinner, and then went down to the lobby to wait on Mango to pick me up.I checked a few things on the internet. I had just finished when I heard the lobby door open and saw a guy come in and head right for me....it was Mango. :-)I had hiked near him in '06 when he did his thru hike, but I hadn't run into him.It was easy to tell he was a long distant hiker though....they just have a look and a way about them. :-)He drove me to a restaurant in Johnson City and we met his wife there.She was a very good looking woman who reminded me a lot of eArThworm....a good hiker friend of mine and a lady that has more books on hiking than anyone I've ever known. :-)It's always so easy meeting other hikers and I felt right at home with Mango and Mrs Mango.I enjoyed the stories and the conversation....and the food!I had a delicious crabcake, a salad, lots of bread with herbed olive oil and sausage fettuccine for dinner.Mrs Mango thought I should eat more, but I was stuffed!I'll bet we sat there for over two hours enjoying the evening. :-)Mrs Mango headed for home and Mango drove me back to Erwin....with a special stop at the Johnson City Starbucks. :-)What a great evening!I had just ran out of Starbucks for the Trail, so I got half a pound ground for my French press, then Mango and I sat there enjoying some coffee and talkin' about walkin'. :-)He dropped me off at the motel about 9pm....way past my bedtime. :-)Mango and Mrs Mango, I really enjoyed meeting you both and had a GREAT time!Thank you, thank you!!! (They insisted on paying for everything too....called it Trail magic) It truly is Trail magic!Meeting people and making friends along this Trail is the best part of the Appalachian Trail to me!My only regret of the evening is that when I took the picture of both of you and showed it to you, I forgot to hit the save button and I lost it. I'm sorry about that. :-(I really want to post a picture of you both on this journal page. Maybe you could send one to me in an email and I can get it posted. I really feel bad about losing that picture.Another great day on the Appalachian Trail! :-)