Date: 2011-04-14
From:  Day 35 Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Day 36 Tenting @ Low Cap
Miles today: 14.7

With the moon creating mesmerizing leaf silhouettes on my tent I quickly fell asleep and a great night sleep it was. I got up around 6:30 and out by 8:30. The weather was great, blue skies and mild temps all day. Basically today's hike was a very challenging day with numerous large up and downs with the biggest climb being 1116' over 2.8 miles. ( there will be pics from up there)  Then very quickly down 729' then more strenuous ups and downs.  With the first night out of Hot Springs being 20 miles and ending very wet and cold, I ate 2 complete dinners and extra snacks just to get warm. Now with this day being harder than I had expected I ate less than normal because I was worried I would run out of food before I reached Nolichucky and was quite bummed out by my poor food management. Nearing 3:00 and with a really big climb ahead (1200+') I was out of energy and didn't think I could go much further, as I came to Streets Gap what do I find, Trail Angles Tom and his wife Ginger and Tom's sister Ruth. They had a charcoal grill set up with hot dogs and hamburgers with fruits and fresh water and a lot more. I was so bushed at that point I just sat down and accepted all they had to offer. Before I got there I knew I didn't have the energy to do the climb now after eating so much I was to full to do the climb, but I felt great, so I hiked only a little further until I got to Low Gap. There are tenting areas and water there so that's where I am for tonight.  Tom's son, trail name Patch, did a Thur-hike last year so they wanted to do something for Hikers this year and I'm sure glad they chose today to do it. THANK YOU. Tonight at the gap are Shutter, Shake & Steak, Toaster, Animal plus several others who's names I don't know.  Earlier today on top of one of the peaks I got ATT service.  Since the boots I bought in Hot Springs aren't working out, they hurt my left foot and were not waterproof,  I called home to have a pair of my boots that I had prepared for the hike sent to me overnight to Erwin TN. I have lost so much weight my pack no longer fits very well and is really too loose which makes it painful to wear since I can't snug it tightly up against me, I asked my wife to see if REI could switch my pack for the smaller size. She contacted REI and found out that unfortunately I already have the smallest size.  Then called me back with the bad news. I might look in Erwin for a new pack.  I never asked her if she was busy or did she have the time right then to help. She just did it without complaining. I forget that important things are going on back home that need attention and just because I get cell service shouldn't mean everything else stops. I will try to be more aware and involved with what is going on back home. Being on the trail makes me forget I am not alone on this journey, my wife is also on this journey except I expect her to take care me when I call and everything back home, alone and without my help, all I'm doing is walking and calling her for help. I look to her for all my emotional support by offer very little in return. I promised her I'll try to do better. I know she wants me to make it all the way to Maine so my boots will arrive Saturday. I don't know how she does it all.Thanks Gerrie I Love You very much.Total miles today 14.7