Date: 2018-03-23
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After a brutal couple of days on the trail, it was nice to let the muscles recover a bit. Of course, a hiker¢s work is never done (but a hike¢rs work is always fun). After breakfast (first things first), we spent most of the morning at the grocery, post office, and NOC Outfitters, where I picked up a new headlamp and filter system. I¢m not sure what happened to my Black Diamond Spot headlamp. Although it was operating fine the last night on the trail, the light seemed to be dimming, so I decided to change out the batteries. After putting the new batteries in, I turned it on and...nothing! Of course, I switched batteries in and out for about 30 minutes, matching the +/- on the battery with the +/- in the battery compartment of the lamp. Finally, I switched out batteries from WWs functional headlamp. Still no joy, so I called REI to find out when I purchased the headlamp and inquired on how I should proceed. REI has a one year return policy for members, no questions asked, and the store rep on the other end of the line was quickly able to tell me that it was purchased online in mid-October of 2017. Since I don¢t have time to wait around while a new lamp arrives, I decided I would just send the defective product forward to Hot Springs, NC in our bounce box containing our meds and other re-supplies. We will be meeting with some of our family in Hot Springs, so I will send the lamp home with them and return it for a full refund after our journey is complete. In the meantime, I needed to buy a new one. While shopping at the NOC, we ran into Close Call, Spamtown Rick and Hops at the NOC Outfitter (the flagship store). By then it was time to eat again, so we swung by Five Guys Burgers and Fries, where we ran into Spirit Man again. The hikers are taking over Gatlinburg! Actually we barely put a dent in the activity on this little tourist destination in the mountains. There must be a convention here this weekend, because the streets and sidewalks were bustling with folks scarfing up what Gatlinburg had to offer. Around the corner from Five Guys was a small outdoor mall, where a Blue Grass Band was playing music. Sitting on one of the benches was a walking advertisement for The Hatfields and McCoys AYCE restaurant. He graciously agreed to let me get a pic with him, then handed me 20% off coupon for the AYCE buffet. I wanted to see if there would be a visible change in my appearance¢namely my waistline¢after spending a couple of days in Gatlinburg. I will get an after pic to post later. After taking care of hiker business, we went back to our efficiency apartment-style room at the Olde Gatlinburg and just hung out with Susie and Al, Trail Angels turned friends. Susie showed us a new card game (Golf), which I then showed her how to play, taking the first game. She must be a quick study because she took the victory in Round Two. Completely out of character, Which Way did not demand a third game, in hopes of making the leader board. Could the trail be transforming her?!?!We decided to take a double ZERO in Gatlinburg. Rain is in the forecast on Saturday and we are hoping that some of the snow will melt off of the trail, which by now is treacherously icy. We have a day to kill anyway, since it looks like we will arrive in Hot Springs before our family arrives next week. Yes, they are driving, we are walking, but we will get there first¢hmmm?! Susie and Al are headed back to Sky Valley, GA on Saturday and the Olde Gatlinburg is fully booked. Most of the other hotels/motels in the area are also booked, but Gigi at the front desk was able to help us find another place like this one, just up the street (and the price was right). Spirit Man, who is also taking a D-ZERO, will take the other room.Finally, I wanted to share another update on the Crawford Family. Evidently the story I relayed a couple of days ago was not 100% accurate. I heard through the hiker grapevine that the toddler was in bad shape and arrangements had been made to evacuate the family from the mountains. However, I also heard through the grapevine yesterday that the family was seen at the NOC Outfitters, looking no worse for wear and gearing up to resume their hike. Anyway, thank you for lifting up prayers for the Crawfords and all of the other hikers who endured Winter Storm Toby.¢Next Step Weather:Day ¢ 56 degrees / RainNight ¢ 46 degrees / Rain   Over the Horizon: Max Patch