Date: 2003-03-29
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Sams Gap/Miss Janets
Miles today: 17.1

We expected the weather to be bad but woke up to sunny skies. The first climb from the shelter was up Big Butt. I love some of these names. As I was coming down the other side it stated to drizzle. The first six miles went vry quickly and were alone in two hours. Took an hour beak with the crew at Flint Mountain shelter. Very nice shelter. Finally, time to brave the cold rain and move in. Another 2.7 miles we were down to Deveils Fork Gap. Someone left sodas daown at the road. Great magic! Worked out everyone got one. The next 6 miles were up Frozen Knob which I thought would never end. Grant and I got up without hardly stopping. Really getting in good shape.We arrived at Hogback Ridge shelter at 2:15. Was debating whether to hike the 27 miles into Erwin over the next two days and say at this Shelter or to hike 2.5 miles more down to Sam's Gap and hitch in to Erwin. Hitching in would allow us to slack pack and stay two nights at Miss Janet's. When I got to the shelter about 20 boy scouts were there adn I was wet and cold and ready to keep walking. Heald, Red, Grunt, Hot Poles and Space Monkey wanted to hitch in. Java and Subman were gonna stay. On our way out we ran into Dimples. She wanted to stay at the shelter. We hiked the 2.5 down to the road. Red, Heald and Monkey started hitching while Hot POles, Grunt and I walked 300 yards down the road to Tom and Michelle's house. We met them at Spring Mountain Shelter two nights ago. They live in the Gap and said they would shuttle us into Erwin. It was a long walk down and we weren't sure exactly where they lived. We finally found their farm. They bought the property and Tom built the house. It's incredible. No running water, electricity or toilet. They live in a one room cabin which has their bed and kitchen in it. They are only 35 but live so simply. They have a teepee in the yard and hope to start a hiker hostel. Tom gave us OJ and talked with us for a while. When Michelle got back we sat inside, put on Dave Matthews and she made us all delicious hot chocolate. We ended up spending about three hours with them. People like them really make the trip unique and have restored my faith in humankind. I've met some of the most amazing folks out here in just 314 miles. Oh yeah, went over the 300 mile marker today. Really cool.I'm at Miss Janet's tonite. Dean, Pile up, Tennessee, Wilt, Ben, 2X4, and Caddis are here too. Also Baltimore Jack is here. He is visiting before he starts his hike on 4/1. It'll be his 8th time! I've looked forward to getting here for so lo0ng but I have not been able to enjoy it. It's hard being 24 miles from actually being here in Erwin officially. I wasn't really ready for town again. It's been very weird being separated from Dimples. This is the first night since we started that I haven't camped with her. The plan is to slack either 15 or 24 tomorrow and stay here again. I may take my pack and hike out and just show up in two nights after I'm officially in Erwin. I have got this feeling like I need to be back on the Trail. I am trying to enjoy being here especially since Miss Janet is such a sweetheart. But something isn't right. I am all tense.