Date: 2018-03-31
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.9

Day 25Awoke this morning to very cold temperatures, low 20's or maybe teens. Tent zippers were frozen and the wet fly was now covered in ice. My body heat must have drawn the moisture from my damp clothing out through my sleeping bag and it condensed on top because my bag had a layer of water on top near my chest and ice on top by my feet. No wonder I was chilled this morning. Put on several layers to fight off the cold and picked up our frozen tent. Nothing like putting on frozen shoes on already cold feet. Ate some quick snacks and got moving toward Newfound Gap. Crystal clear day and not a cloud in the sky. We warmed up quickly and began shedding layers as the sun warmed us as we hiked. Word spread quickly from day hikers heading south that there was coffee and donuts at the gap for thru-hikers. We hustled as that sounded quite good. As we neared the gap it had become a beautiful day with great views in all directions, and now it was quite warm. As we arrived we found dozens of thru-hikers gathered around Ed's car (he was providing the trail magic). He had more than just donuts and coffee; he also had string cheese, slim jims, ramen, fruit, and tons of other items thru-hikers might need/want. He gave Mary a pair of ear plugs in case we need to stay in a shelter. Most of the hikers were lounging around in the now warm weather talking about whether to go to Gatlinburg or continue on the trail. The parking lot was full with hundreds of people, cars, and tour buses. We were looking around for a ride when suddenly one of the hikers that Ed was going to take to town found another ride so Ed said he would take Mary and I to Gatlinburg when he was done with trail magic in about 20 minutes. We were very happy and thankful, not only did he provide us with donuts and more, he was giving us a ride all the way to Gatlinburg. So we were on our way to town with Flo-bo who also was riding to town with Ed. I was able to call from the gap and get a room at Johnson's Inn. Being Easter weekend, rooms were scarcer and priced high. One that was listed at $44.95 in the book quoted me 128.95 plus tax. Once in town we did all the normal stuff, did laundry in our rain gear at the hotel, dried our tent, packs, and shoes, and set out to take the trolley to Food City to resupply. Mind you, Gatlinburg is in full swing with wall to wall people everywhere. It was all a bit overwhelming coming from the woods to the mob scene that was Gatlinburg on Easter weekend! It took us a bit, but we did figure out the trolley and made quick work of our resupply. We caught the trolley, got dropped off across the street from Food City, did our resupply in the 20 minutes it took the trolley to finish its route and pick us back up to head back to town. We were waiting at the trolley stop for the return trip for just 4 or 5 minutes before it was there to pick us back up. We walked to the outfitters rather than wait for another trolley which would have to sit in traffic. We had to walk to the far end of the strip which was certainly a sensory overload. Got what we needed then headed to Bennett's BBQ for dinner. Mary had salad with BBQ chicken (by the way, that is what Mary craves when on the trail, salad...). I ate way too much, but Mary saved room for a Ben & Jerry's on the way back to the room. We had dried everything out in the sun earlier, so we got everything packed and organized for an early departure tomorrow. Hopefully we will find a ride, we are a little nervous because it will be Easter Sunday.