Date: 2010-06-09
From: Montvale Overlook/95.9

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 12.6

Jennings Creek, 12.6   We had the continental breakfast and bought a newspaper to find out more about the hiker who died last Friday. The hiker was named Island Boy and wa09 June 2010, Jennings Creek   We had the continental breakfast and bought a newspaper to find out more about the hiker who died last Friday. The hikes trail name was Island Boy and was only out for three months. He left Daleville a couple of days before he was found. The paper said he died of natural causes. I had not met the guy and am glad I didn't in a way. If I had met him or known him it would have bothered me more than it does. I wished he had not passed and I am sorry for his family and loved ones. Death is a sad thing, it is so permanent.   Del picked us up at the motel this morning at 9 am. Del is really one of the best shuttle drivers we have had to date. I highly recommend him.   We started at 9:45 and as we pulled up today another thru hiker was passing by as we pulled our gear out of the van. His name was Wendigo. We leap frog with him until we reached Bearwallow Gap/VA 43, where he was trying to hitch in to Buchanan.   Ben took off after another deer today but did not get to far this time. Hopper kept him on a leash hooked to her belt loop the rest of the day. I was not happy again to say the least. This is one of the reasons why dogs are not allowed in the Smokey Mountains.We made it to Cove Mountain Shelter and made our lunch and relaxed for a bit. We did not really need to relax because it was such an easy day but we were in no hurry. I saw where the deceased hiker had signed the register and took a photo of it.   About five minutes or so after we left the shelter we ran into a section hiker heading south. He informed us about a bear he saw off to the side of the trail. He said he started blowing his whistle as it was running off. I almost chuckled when he said that. Here he is trying to scare it away and I just want to see one. We never saw the bear he was talking about, darn.   Just as we got to Middle Creek Campground Playboy, Rocky, Skid Mark, and Denver were leaving.   We checked in and got a cabin and ordered off the grill just before it closed. I am not too happy with the prices at this place. They want $28 a night. That is a lot for just pitching a tent in my opinion. When we asked about the price for a shuttle to BRP 76.3 and they quoted us at $40. We called a shuttle provider in Glasgow whose name is Ken, who is twice the distance from here and he said he would come and get us and drop us off for $35. Needless to say we went with the cheaper one.s only out for three months. He left Daleville a couple of days before he was found. The paper said he died of natural causes. I had not met the guy and am glad I didn't in a way. If I had met him or known him it would have bothered me more than it does. I wished he had not passed and I am sorry for his family and loved ones.   Del picked us up at the motel this morning at 9 am. Del is really one of the best shuttle drivers we have had to date. I highly recommend him.   We started at 9:45 and as we pulled up today another thru hiker was passing by as we pulled our gear out of the van. His name was Windygo. We leap frog with him until we reached Bearwallow Gap/VA 43, where he was trying to hitch in to Buchanan.   Ben took off after another deer today but did not get to far this time. Hopper kept him on a leash hooked to her belt loop the rest of the day. I was not happy again to say the least. This is one of the reason why dogs are not allowed in the Smokey Mountains.   We made it to Cove Mountain Shelter and made our lunch and relaxed for a bit. We did not need to relax becuase it was such and easy day but we were in no hurry. I saw where the deceased hiker had signed the register and took a photo of it.   About five minutes or so after we left the shelter we ran into a section hiker heading south. He informed us about a bear he saw off to the side of the trail. He said he started blowing his whistle as it was running off. I almost chuckled when he said that. Here he is trying to scare it away and I just want to see one. We never saw the bear he was talking about, darn.   Just as we got to Middle Creek Campground Playboy, Rocky, Skidmark, and Denver were leaving.   We checked in and decided to share a cabin and ordered off the grill just before it closed. I am not to happy with the prices at this place. They want $28 a night, that is a lot for just pitching a tent in my opinion. When we checked the price for a shuttle to BRP 76.3 and they quoted us at $40. We called a shuttle providor in Glasgow who is twice the distance from here and he said he would come and get us and drop us off for $35. Needless to say we went with the cheaper one.