Date: 2013-03-02
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hickory Flats Cemetery
Miles today: 6.2

(In which I arrive at Springer, start making miles, and encounter my first trail magic)I wake up at 8 and get my things ready to go. The bulky civilian clothing I wore on my trip down is left behind. My old, duct taped wallet is left behind. I almost lose a sock to the local wildlife, as one of the cats has dragged it off to another room.Breakfast is a the Sugar Hill diner - my requirements on calling a restaurant a diner have been relaxed with my distance from New Jersey. I fill up on coffee, biscuits, and eggs. The next stop is a gas station, where I acquire a loaf of bread and bottle of Vitamin Water. Then we head up to Springer Mountain. On the way up, a brief glance at the roadside reveals a housing sign that says "Acadia" - it will be a while until I am around there!Walking commencesWe drive many miles on dirt roads up to the parking lot on Forest Road 42. Amadei and Josh have a little moment with the snow - Amadei's first in her two years in Georgia. A few photos are taken and I pack up and start walking south. It is one mile from here to Springer.Plenty happens in the next mile. I pass some day trippers and weekenders. I also see Jeremy, a friend of a friend who just happens to be thru-hiking and starting on the same day as me. I have been in contact with him for a couple months. He knew it was me immediately, as he knew I would be hiking in a kilt. He and his girlfriend and his hiking partner spent little time there due to the cold wind. They were headed to meet relatives at the parking lot I had just left before going to the next shelter.I don't realize when I reach Springer. Only when I frame a photo of a westward view do I notice the bronze plaque on the ground in front of me. This is it. I shoot some more photos of that plaque and the other one on the outcropping behind me. Travelite reaches the summit as I am there, with a couple folks accompanying. I also meet Hoosier and Sparks here. Hoosier has a journal that I have been following, and I was pleased to meet him for the first time atop Springer. I take photos for and with those guys before they head north. Before leaving the summit, I give Warren Doyle - 16-time thru-hiker, dance caller, and great guy - a brief call before walking north.While walking back toward the parking lot I meet tentatively-named Steady Pace. He is an older gentleman, planning to take it slowly. I pass Travelite and company and a couple day hikers before I am back at the parking lot. There I see a Ford with NJ plates - Jeremy's family. I chat with them briefly before wishing them a safe ride home and pushing north. The walk is easy going, with a few photo stops. I pass one hiker over the 1.8 miles to Stover Creek Shelter.Stover Creek Shelter is spacious and looks pretty sturdy. It is a two-floor arrangement. Here I meet Brice, who has a trail journal, and a few others. Jeremy and his hiking partner are here. Travelite arrives while I am snacking here. Everyone else is staying here, but I decide to push north to the next shelter. I can't imagine making only 2.8 miles today!First trail magicThe next shelter is 5.3 miles north. When I am two miles out, I encounter a sign for trail magic ahead. There is a tent set up on the Trail, run by the Georgia Adventures Group. These guys are a volunteer organization that tries to encourage people toward the outdoors. Their presence certainly encourages me! I enjoy a hot chocolate, cheese sandwich, and banana. Stories are swapped with the ladies up at the tent, and later with Bill Witherspoon, who leads this group. I join them at the pavilion nearby, which is at a church's cemetery. I did not realize the church encouraged hikers to use this place, but there is a nice dry pavilion and restrooms here.Here I enjoy some hot food and plenty of camaraderie with these folks. What an excellent bunch! I eventually retire to my hammock on the edge of the cemetery to write. The hammock had been easy to set up, and it is comfortable and warm. Too warm, almost! I go in wearing two base layers, my long-sleeve shirt, and my down jacket. The bag has a silk liner in it, too. Halfway through writing this, I have to remove the jacket as my upper body is getting hot! While it is chilly outside my bag, it is easy to write while fully inside it.Well, this has been day one of many days. It has been a great day, full of familiar and new characters and unexpected food. I now go to sleep, unexpectedly warm and dry.Peace,