Date: 2005-03-29
From:  Franklin, NC (Microtel)

To: Campsite near Licklog Gap 
Miles today: 10.8

Day 13 We are camped near Licklog Gap about a mile down from Wayah Bald.Yesterday turned out to be pretty productive for a zero day. Stopped by the library, and then caught a taxi to the post office and back to the hotel. Blazer, Fallout and myself went and did laundry, stop to eat at Fat Buddies BBQ, then swung by the outfitter. Posed for pics. We picked up some groceries and back to the hotel. For dinner we met up with Grey Walrus & Pathfinder. Had a great time, was good to see them again. On the way back to the hotel we stopped by and picked up a six-pack of Yuenling black & tan. A tasty Pennsylvania brew, which happens to be the oldest brewery in the nation. We drank them in Walrus & Pathfinder¢s room. Had a little fun with Capt. Chaos who was at a different hotel telling him that Walrus & Pathfinder left already, much laughs, probably one of those stories you had to be there for.All right back to today. Went to the lobby for my usual breakfast, hikers everywhere. While it rained here in town it was snowing in the hills yesterday. Today not a cloud in the sky and high around 70° Lori, I think that was her name was shuttling everyone to the gap. Trip, Domino and Jake were leaving after us. Domino came in yesterday. He¢s been at the last couple of shelters with us and I can¢t remember if I have mentioned him. Quite the chili madman. He¢s doing a chili cook off at Trail fest & Trail days. An entertaining fellow. Everyone has been great that we¢ve met so far. Fallout decided to take another day off. I was hoping he would change his mind, but it was not to be I had enjoyed hiking with him and hope he catches up. So Blazer & myself head to the trailhead. A gorgeous day, hard to believe it was snowing yesterday. The trail gradually went up out of Winding Stair Gap, till it topped out on Siler Bald. We took a quick snack with Chuck & Chill-out. The trail dips down into a gap then up to Wine Spring where we had lunch. After stuffing ourselves we head up to Wayah Bald. When we get to the road we see a truck and a couple happy people. River Wizard and Wizard Witch were cooking burgers & hotdogs. Trail magic again! Our luck knows no bounds! We hoofed about a mile; though you could have rolled me. Just can¢t turn down food. Trip, Chuck, Chillout, Jake, Domino are all camped up the way. Blazer and I are about a 12 mile down the trail. Nice quiet little camp. Tomorrow we think depending on the time, we may head right to NOC (Nanatahala Outdoor Center). It¢s a white water mecca with rooms and killer cheeseburgers. Lot¢s of kayaking & rafting. Should be a beautiful day tomorrow and will probably be up early. There is a chance we¢ll stop at Wesser Bald Shelter then the next day crawl in. Great views today from Wayah Bald, you could see Mount Albert and Standing Indian as well as Siler Bald. Our food bag hang is getting more technical, but don't know if it¢s any better. Blazer has a neat food bag line. Do people still say neat? Anyway he has taken a golf ball, drilled a hole through it, and then put his bear line through the hole. Very clever.I had been hoping to catch some of the March company kids that started 4 days ahead of me. Today I managed to get ahead of Break-a-leg, Scholar, & Cuppa-joe. Without meeting them. I¢m sure they¢ll catch up, as I have to wait for my mail drop in Fontana.One other thing, there are way to many country stations down here. These are the only one¢s that come in on my little radio. Why? It hurts! When you can only tune in five stations and six are country, yikes! I did see the new Garbage video on VH1 yesterday. Well nite-nite.