Date: 2006-03-03
From: Neels Gap, Ga.

To: Neels Gap, Ga
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero DayHomeNeels Gap, Ga. I slept in my own bed last night. Looks like I'll get to sleep in it tonight, then slack 20 miles tomorrow, then home one more night and then off for the rest of the journey.It's nice to live so near the trail, but I'll be glad to be north of here, so I can just walk everyday. I woke up and made coffee and ate a small breakfast, then headed up to Mountain Crossings to buy Short Cut a hip belt for her ULA pack. They didn't have any, so I ordered one. I saw Sidewinder hike in. I met him the other day at Gooch Mountain Shelter. There was also a nobo in the hostel by the name of Eric. He was busy watching a video about hiking the AT, so I didn't get to talk to him. Heald said he would take me to Unicoi Gap tomorrow morning and let me walk back to Neels Gap so I can go to Winton's hiker party tomorrow night. Neam was working there this morning along with Pirate, Cornbread, Alpine and Winton. I thanked Alpine for the trail magic he left up at Blood Mountain Shelter. Winton had just gone through John's pack and it looked a whole lot better than when I saw him struggling up Blood Mountain yesterday. I'm really glad that Winton does that for the hikers coming through his store. It probably keeps alot of the nobo's on the trail by reducing the excess weight they're carrying on their backs. I headed into town and mailed off some boxes, including a bounce box for me, some rocks for my Dad, extra stuff for Mrs Gorp and some tent side wall pulls for Short Cut. She bought a tent just like mine from Dale America and wanted the same side wall lifters that I put on mine. When I got back home, I called Cedar Tree who makes The Packa pack cover and left a message that I needed some silnylon mitts. He called back and said he would ship them to NOC by priority mail and they would be waiting on me in a few days.When I asked how much I owed him, he said it was on the house. Thanks Cedar Tree....I'll buy you a dinner at Trail Days this year. :-))) I didn't want to walk through the Smokies without them. I stayed busy eating food that was left in my refrigerator and getting my real bounce box ready to go to Va. I even did my laundry in a real washing machine. :-))) That probably won't happen again for a long time.I usually wash my clothes in the shower with me whenever I can get one. It's alot easier than standing at a laundromat in my rain pants. I also uploaded about a dozen photos on my journal this morning. I called my CPA about my taxes and he said it looks like he has everything he needs.I cancelled all but basic satellite service at home. I left the basic on just in case some of my friends end up staying at my place while I'm walking this year. That way they can watch The Weather Channel. :-))) Hammock Hanger is transcribing for me this year. I left a message for her and she called back. We have everything set for her to take over that job.....Thanks Hammock Hanger, that's a big help for me!! I guess I can stop putting a link to www.trailjournals.com/liteshoe now and instead replace it with a link to www.trailjournals.com/hammockhangerFT05 I know that Liteshoe will find some way to get a link to her site in my journal. That's the only way she can get any hits on that antique journal she has. Ha!!! :-)))She used to be a good hiker. I'm glad I don't have to get ready for a hike everyday. It's not fun. :-(((I like it when I wake up in my tent and all I have to do is go for a walk!! This zero did work out well for me though because I feel like I'm prepared to be gone for 7 months now. Oh yeah, that look on Chief's face on the photo I selected for this page was because I took the last 3 pieces of fried chicken off the plate before it got around to him the other day at The Smith House. I'm glad he didn't have a frying pan in his hand. :-)))