Date: 2006-04-20
From: Bradley Gap, Tn

To: Mountain Harbour B&B, Roan, Tn
Miles today: 6.3

19,113 foot steps today I had planned on staying in my tent longer this morning, but old habits are hard to break. :-))) When I woke up at 5:30am, I started thinking about coffee and had to get started.I stuck my stove out the tent door and brewed coffee and ate one apple pie and a small bag of chocolate chip cookies. I was packed and walking by 7am. Within a minute of starting my walk, I ran into 4 deer and had one blow at me.I knew it was going to be a good day after that. :-))) I had stayed at Bradley Gap last night. I was worried that the good weather I had last night might be gone for my walk over Hump Mtn this morning, but I had a great day to climb that mountain. I kept walking into the shadows of the mountain, so I had multiple sunrises over Hump Mountain. I took lots of pictures. Right after I walked over the summit of Hump Mountain, I saw 2 deer about 30 yards away that took off running and 3 deer a little farther away that stood there looking at me. I walked to a nice set of rocks just over the summit and sat down and ate an orange. I started taking a few pictures of 8 deer that were about 250 yards away from me. They were just standing there sideways to me and watching to see what I was up to. While I was taking their pictures, I saw some longhorn cattle come up the mountain about half a mile away. I had always heard there were longhorns up here, but in the previous 5 times that I've climbed this mountain, I had only seen recycled grass droppings. :-))) The first two times that I climbed this mountain, were the two worst weather hikes I've ever done...they were awesome walks!!The first time was sustained 90 mph winds, gusting to over 100mph, blowing a thick cloud over the mountain and it was cold.You'll have to ask Goosebump The Snow Princess, Rainbow Slick, Underpants and Dr Dolittle about the next time there ws bad weather. :-))) I put my pack on and started walking down the mountain towards the longhorns. I spotted another 5 deer off in another direction.It's great to see so much wildlife again. :-))) I got close to the longhorns and took a bunch of pictures. When I got closer to a young bugger, the mo ma got up and watched me. Ha, olay!!I got more pictures of her looking straight at me...beautiful horns!! I headed off towards the forested part of the mountain and saw another 3 deer that took off running. I kept walking down the mountain and lost a 2,500 feet of elevation. I stopped at Apple House Shelter and signed the register, then walked another 1/2 mile to Rt 19E. I had decided to stop at a place I've heard was nice. It's Mountain Harbour B&B. The place has private rooms in the house, but they've built a nice hostel above an old barn. It's a great place!! It's got everything you could need including a full kitchen, nice bath and a great porch overlooking a noisy creek. Terry, the owner took me up to a restaurant in Elk Park, NC.I ate breakfast first at about 10:50am, then ordered lunch at 11:15 am. :-)))They had huge biscuits...about 6 inches in diameter. I walked down to a small resupply store and got things for dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow to cook before I leave in the morning. I called Terry when I was done shopping and he came up and picked me up. I went in and took my shower. While I was in there, Iron Wolf showed up and said a couple of his friends were coming later. Free At Last and Junco showed up and took the last two beds in the loft. They had called a friend that lives nearby and when the friend came, they all took off for the whole afternoon. A couple by the names of Walkabout and Caboose came in, but decided to save some money and tent. I spent the afternoon on the couch. I read some (2 pages) then fell asleep. :-))) Nice, peaceful afternoon. Shortcut called and we talked for about an hour, then I made dinner...half a pound of bacon and three eggs, then had a pint of ice cream for desert. :-))) Walkabout came over and took his shower, then Caboose came over to take hers. We started talking and I told her that this is going to be something new for me this year...sleeping in a bunk-room at a hostel.I asked if she knew if any of the three guys snored and she said that Iron Wolf did. She went in to take a shower and I went up and paid another $15.00 to get the private room. :-))) I stealth tent every night for a reason....IT'S QUIET!!!! I moved all my stuff out of the bunk-room before everyone got back. When the three guys got back, we sat up talking until 9:30pm. I was way past my bedtime, so I headed into my quiet room. :-))) Today was a much better day for me. My body is feeling better and I'm starting to get some energy back.