Date: 2013-04-11
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Bald
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept in a shelter for the first time last night.They were calling for rain and I thought the shelter was the safer bet. It was an interesting experience that I hope to not have again. It is convenient to not have to set up or take down a tent but I like the privacy of my cozy little tent. I'm a light sleeper so every time somebody else moves in the shelter I wake up. I wake up every few hours anyway because my old bones start to ache and I have to change positions so sleep was at a minimum last night. There were five of us in the shelter, two of which were a very friendly young couple from Germany. They had the noisiest air mattresses I have ever heard. One of the guys in the shelter was actually from Fayetteville. He was nice enough to hang my bear bag for me. Thanks, Hawkeye! Today was a no energy day. Every step felt like a huge effort.They were calling for severe weather so the plan was for Jim to meet me along the way and get off the trail for the night. Since I didnt have to pack up a tent I was on the trail by 7:15. There was nobody else on the trail today because everybody has gone into Franklin to avoid the storms. I think I was passed by one hiker today who was going to a shelter. At Winding Stair Gap there is a very pretty waterfall that I couldnt take a picture of because I had my phone and camera safely packed away from the rain that never came (thankfully) until later. I might have to have Jim drive me there for a picture. I got to our first possible rendezvous point about 3.5 hours before Jim was suppose to arrive. The rain had not started but I really didnt want to walk the next four miles to the next possible point. I sat for a bit and had a snack and then made myself get up and walk. seemed kind of ridiculous to just sit and wait for 3.5 hours. I walked through some pretty creepy looking forest today. The only way I can describe it is to say the forest looked dead. I didn't like being there by myself. There were lots of trees down and it looks like everything has slid down the mountain at some point. There were many big trees across the path that you had to climb around or through, however you could manage to get around them. Sometimes me and my pack just barely scraped through or under. I made to to Wayah Bald at about 3:20. Another spectacular view and a pretty cool old stone fire tower too. I have lived in North Carolina for over 25 years and have never heard of this scenic tourist attraction. I'm glad I got to visit it today. It was nice to have the tower to take shelter in if the rain came before Jim got there. Jim arrived about 4:00. He is getting pretty good at finding all these back roads that we meet up on. My feet hurt after todays hike but still no blisters. It started to sprinkle within minutes after getting in the car. I know I keep repeating myself here but God really does answer my prayers! The severe weather didnt actually start until we were safely tucked in to a nice soft bed. Enjoyed the buffet at Shoney's for dinner because I crave vegetables when I am in town and french fries just dont cut it as a vegetable for me. Today I am thankful for the will to go on even though I don't want to and nice cozy shelter from the storm.