Date: 2005-03-04
From: Slaughter Creek Campsite

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: clear sky

Well, today has been a lot better. Got up early, didn't eat breakfast, broke camp quickly and was on my way with Chuckles and Gotta-go about 8:10. We were immediately greeted with the climb up Blood Mountain. The views from the top were awesome. Stopped for a few minutes to take a few pictures. Made it down to Neels Gap about 10:20. Staying at the hostle tonight at the Walasi-Yi center tonight. Originally was not going to stay, but with my feet hurting as bas as they are, I need to take half a day off to rest. It cost 15 bucks for the bunk, plus a dollar for laundry. Washed my clothes, took a shower, and organized my food. Felt 100% better. It only took 3 days, but I am already sick of oatmeal, so I put all of mine in the hiker box. Got fitted for new boots, and a new pack cover also, since mine ripped on day 2. The guy here says the reason my feet are hurting so bad is because my boots are too small. So he outfitted me in some Garmonts with Superfeet, hopefully that will do the trick. Ate a snack and had a pepsi, it tasted so good. This stop did a tremendous amount for the morale, but certainly not for the wallet. I am definately going to keep going. My feet are still aching, but I can tell they are going to get better. I am actually looking forward to pushing on. Talking to Mom and Isaac for awhile on the phone. Worked out some logistics with the food and maildrops. It was good to talk to Mom, it made me feel a lot better. Had to call collect, because my cell phone was getting no reception and the toll-free number I have wasn't working. Mom got me a calling card number, so I don't have to worry about having reception to get a hold of home. I sent the old boots, ball cap which I haven't worn once, and a letter home. I got my trail name yesterday from Chuckles and Gotta-Go. They wanted to call me Flying Jon, since I have flown past them everyday so far. I said that I am more like a turtle. So Chuckles said, "How about Flying Turtle?" I said, "I like it," and it stuck. It fits appropiately since I'm flying on the downhills and a turtle on the uphills. Well, it's about time for the shuttle to town for supper, will write more later. Got supper at the Cookie Jar, an all-you-can-eat resturant. I was not as hungry as I thought I was going to be. I'm still waiting on my hiker appetite to kick in. The salad was excellent, even though the only type of meat they had was fried chicken. Came back, wrote a letter or two. One more note: When we came into Neels Gap, and signed up for a bunk, they asked us if we wanted in on the shuttle to town for dinner. Being hungry hikers, we said yes. There was about 8 of us going, and we all piled in the van. About halfway there, the guy driving says, "This is a 30 dollar shuttle, you can pay me when we get there or when we get back." There was no earlier mention of this cost when we were asked if we wanted in on the shuttle. They waited until we were already on our way to tell us this. There was 8 of us, so it only came out to about 4 dollars, but it still makes me mad. Another way to get a few more dollars off of us hikers. I would have been alright with paying a few bucks for a shuttle if I had been told up front. That's just bad buisness if you ask me. There is talk of an ice storm coming in on Tuesday. I am going to try to make it to Hiawassee by Monday evening. The plan is to split a room with Humpty Dumpty at the Holiday Inn.