Date: 2014-03-21
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Planning another 11 mile day, but we are planning to stay at the Blueberry Patch Hostel, about 11 miles out of Hiawassee. "A beautiful day in the neighborhood!" Nice day for walking, but we do need to get to a certain point, a 'vista' to call if there's room and to get a ride, so we're sort of on a time crunch.Going along, two middle aged men passed us. "Where you from?" "Olympia, WA"As the second one passed, I noticed he had Dirty Girl Gaters on. (Ankle-high spandex coverings for the trail runner shoes to help keep debris out of the shoes.) His were bright orange and I said, "Nice Dirty Girls!" That lead to a short conversation about thru-hiking and that he'd done the PCT and the CDT (Continental Divide Trail). I yelled, "What's your Trail Name?""Shroomer! Been a mushroomer for 40 years and a Hippy before that!" And off they hiked!For the most part, it was a nice hike with one climb, from Addis Gap to Kelly Knob, then down to Deep Gap Shelter. Again, slow and steady.We "Blue Blazed" to the 'vista' for a late lunch, check out the vista, and to call the hostel. We got up there and found the fire ring trashed. After exchanging discusting glances, Buffalo went into clean-up mode, finding a bag in his pack and picking up all the garbage that someone tried to burn but didn't. Ya' just have to wonder....After lunch, Buffalo called the Blueberry Patch Hostel."Yes, we have room. Where are you?""We're at the Vista just before Powell Mountain. We can be at Dicks Creek Gap in 2 hours.""Oh, it shouldn't take you that long."Well, I'm with my Mom and she's kinda slow!" I smiled at that!We packed up and hoofed it down the mountain to Dicks Creek Gap with about 20 minutes to spare. I didn't want to be late and I didn't know what the trail conditions would be like.Gary, the owner, came and got us, along with another hiker we'd met way back at the first Hiker Hostel!At the hostel, there were 3 guys there already, then us three, and another came later. Their bunk house consists of 2- three bunk stacks, and a double bed bunk. "Michael, you have your choice of either top bunk on the 3-stack, and Marilyn, you can have this lower double bed bunk.""Thank you. Thank you!" I'm so glad I didn't have to climb to the third top bunk!Buffalo got cleaned up and Gary took him and another guy to town to do some shoppping. WOW! This is great! And this is all on donation!They have an out building, near the donkeys, that is the bathroom and shower. It's a one-at-a-time, but they have everything, even a blow-dryer, if you wan t. It was sooooooo nice! They even do our laundry!Buffalo got back with the groceries and had hummus, carrots, and corn chips for dinner. He was apologetic that dinner wasn't better, but I thought it was great!We chatted with the other hikers then time to turn in. I am so ready! I did notice, however, that about four of the others turned on their red light on ther head lamps to read or whatever after the room lights were turned off. I'm ready to try to sleep....-The MumBuffalo says: I did take the top bunk, and because of something I did to myhip (not sure what) yesterday and aggravating it today by wlking, I was in excruciating pain as I cimbed into bed and whenever I rolled over. By morning though, I was healed.A bit about the hostel- Gary and his wife Lennie opened it soon after Gary's AT thru hike with his 17 yr old son about 22 years ago. His son mentioned early in the hike that they should open a hostel, and, though it took him a while to realize it, Gary felt that was his calling from God. the Blueberry Patch has run on donations for 22 years and God's love is present in everything they do for hikers.