Date: 2009-11-10
From: Hiawassee GA

To: Springer Mountain GA
Miles today: 67.0
Weather: moderate rain

11/2/09 MondayThis morning we got started around 8:30. The view on Clingmans Dom was Awesome. My Battery on my camera was dead but a man there left me put my SD card in his Camera to take some pictures. We stopped at Double Springs Shelter for lunch. The last 6.3 miles seem to take forever. Tinman was having a hard time. for some reason he could barely make it up the hills. there were 5 other thru-hikers at the Spencer Shelter who I never met before. Tomorrow we are planning to go to the Hiker feed at the Fontana Dam Shelter. I finished Phillipeans in my Bible.11/3/09 TuesdayThis morning we were awaken by some hikers who decided to leave early. We packed up and headed out on the way to the trail form the Shelter we say 4 turkeys. We had two 1,000 footer's to climb then a 500. going down ito Fontana Dam we sow a black bear. I got about 10 yards to it to take a picture. The walk on the Dam was neat, the Dam was masive. The shelter that we are staying at to night is called the Hilton. Is is called that for several reason's. It sleeps 24, Stained wood, mouse proof, Shower's with Hot water and flushing toilets, a nice deck with full view of the lake and view of the sunrise. Tonight there was trail magic. Ox and Hopeful cooked a huge meal, potatos topped with everything. It was so good! The moon is so bright that there is no need for a flashlight. Tomorrow I plan to do a zero, then let Tin man Shuttle ahead of me to the NOC were I will meet him a day later and hopefully by then he'll feel better.11/4/09 WednesdayThis morning I slept in. We took a Zero at the Hilton (The Fontana Dam Shelter) It was the nices Shelter on the trail with a Hot Shower and flushing toilets. The Shelter is located along a lake with a great view. Hopeful cooked Panecakes, eggs, and Bacon for Breakfast. After sitting around all morning we went to the Post Office and picked up 3 pakagese. One package was rosin for my bow. Latter that evening I went with Hopeful and Ox to see were the new trail lacation was. After that we went to Robbinsville to the grocery store to resupply. when we got back, Nomoney, LB and other SoBo's were there that night. We roested hotdogs over the fire.11/5/09 ThursdayToday I slacked packed while Tinman got a ride with Hopeful to the NOC. I hiked 29 miles today. The Nantahala's were tough with barely no switch backs. There was a awesome view on Cheoah Bald. Tonigh we are staying at the NOC in real beds. I had a alsome shower and watched TV.11/6/09 FridayThis moring we woke up and started hiking around 8:00. We slept good at the NOC and Tinman is finally better. We stopped to lookout at a fire tower today which had a exellent view. It was pretty warm today. Tonight we are staying at Wayah Bald Shelter wich was biuld in 2007, The Shelter is awesome. We had a Campfire tonight. I played my fiddle too. I started 1 Timothy in my Bible. I can't believe that I have 8 more days yet. Springer here I come.11/7/09 SaturdayThis morning After we left we went to Wayah Bald lookout tower were we seened a amazing view. I made a phone call home to my family, Tin man contiuned walking. Alittle after lunch Tin man left me catch up so we could hve lunch at a stream rite before winding Stair Gap. We got to Rock Gap Shelter around 4:00 and decided to try ordering pizza since there was a roed right there. It turns out that it was to far for delivery, so we thumbed and got a ride on the first vihical. After eating at Shoney's we realized that we neede a ride to the trail. the shuttle couldn't take us but we then were able to find a family that was very nice and went out of there way to give us a ride back. Tonight we feel full and enjoying the cool night. I finished 2 Timothy in my Bible.11/8/09 SundayMy last Sunday on the trail! This morning Disney, Sea Monster and Tin Man decided to take a short cut on two blue blaze trails, cuttingout 10 miles, I decided to keep going. The way up Mount Albert was pleasant with a nice fire tower at the top. After that I realize that for me to do 25.3 miles before dark would be impossible, it also wouldn't be good to night hike with the Wild bore activity at night. So I decided to take a little of the road. Alittle bit latter a truck pulled up with two guys looking for there dogs. I was able to get a ride to the campground. There I met two other guys that were vey friendly and gave me a ride to deep Gap. I skipped 15 miles that day. I can't believe that I beat Sea monster, Disney and Tin Man to Muskrat Gap Shelter. At the Shetler we had a campfire I got a lot of reading done in my Bible. I caught 8 mice so fair. All I need is one more two break my record. I also got a lot of practice done on my penny whistle. Tonght we been hearing coyote's all evening wich sound really iteresting and chilling. I finished James in My Bible reading.