Date: 2006-03-07
To: We Hike, But the Miles Don't Count Yet
Miles today: 0.0

After a big breakfast, Tinker and I left for Amicalola State Park. I should mention that in addition to scrambled eggs and French toast, I had a big bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. Paul (Old Man) who made it, said it was NOT instant, that it was home-cooked slowly and was good. I didn't believe him, but tried it to be polite. Glad I did. It was a lot better than instant, especially with brown sugar. I told him we'd be at Springer the next morning, but he only laughed. I guess it will be instant oatmeal for us tomorrow.Tinker and I arrived at Amicalola about 8:30. The Visitor Center was closed, but we both wanted to register, so we waited for it to open. We did the obligatory picture-under-arch, swapping cameras so we would have our own pictures on our cameras, then getting someone to take pictures of both of us with both cameras.Parking was only three dollars for two weeks. Best bargain of the year.We met Erin, who was hiking with her boyfriend. A Park Ranger took my picture for the Hiker Wall. I turned, stood under the arch, took a deep breath, and took a step. I was off.What a rush! I walked along a pathway paved with flagstones for a few yards, then when the flagstone ended, a dirt trail. I was off.A few yards later, I stopped to change from thermals to shorts and Tinker passed me. We made it to the Lodge and took a long break, just enjoying being on the trail. I sent two post cards, one each to my wife and my mother, and bought two more postcard stamps to do the same from Neels gap.I feel differently this time than last time. More sure of finishing. Not sure why. One thing perhaps is that I seem to be compartmentalizing the hike. Yes, I'm hiking to Springer, but really I'm only doing a hike of a few days to get to Hiawassee and my bounce box. That is all I have to do now. And within that, I really only need to make Springer today. And not even that. If I feel good at Springer, I can walk on to Stover Creek. If I am beat, I can stop at Black Gap. So all I really need to do today is make some miles.On the way up Frosty Mountain (great name!) Tinker and I met Peter, who was carrying a HUGE pack. I couldn't have carried it but he was younger and much stronger. He took breaks on the way up, but left the pack on while he sat. Very impressive. He had no trail name. His friends told him to make one up, but he wanted the trail to give him one. We also passed Everready, who was coming down from Springer. He has a Mariposa pack like mine, and we talked about them for a bit.We had lunch (tuna fish, granola bar and peanuts for me), then walked on and stopped at Black Gap Shelter, the three of us, and encountered a rather distant couple. Tinker tried to engage the guy in conversation, but all he got in return was a smile of amused tolerance. Piffle on them.At Springer Summit I set up my tent, and joined a big crowd at the shelter, where Tinker and I cooked dinner and U-haul ate dry food. Oh, yes, Peter is now U-Haul, and is very pleased with the name bestowed upon him by Tinker. He immediately started dropping gear. I picked up a brand new Ridgerest he discarded. He had brought three pads. Now we each had two. Little Bear told me the Big Agnes pad I had slept cold, and I should consider buying a Ridgerest or blue pad. So now I had one.One guy was wearing pajamas. He had forgotten his thermals and Wal-Mart is now selling summer stuff, so he bought pajamas. We gave him 6 points for style, but only a 4.6 for utility.It got cold quickly when the sun went down, so I donned thermals (I love my spacious new tarptent) and called it a day.