Date: 2014-03-19
From: Deep Creek Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.6

Blessed are those whose strength is in You,   whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.As they pass through the Valley of Baka,   they make it a place of springs;   the autumn rains also cover it with pools.Gary at Blueberry Patch Hostel has made this day a spring of refreshing. He picked me up at Dick's Creek Gap even though I wasn't there at his usual run times. He washed my clothes and provided me a change while I was waiting and taking a shower. This evening he took a load of us hikers in his Cherokee to Hiawassee and dropped us off at Daniels all you can eat steak house. He then picked us up later at the supermarket. Tomorrow morning, after building a fire in the wood stove he will serve us a breakfast of blueberry pancakes to energize us hikers on to North Carolina. I originally had planned to do the budget motel and chill by myself, but during the two hour hike across Powell mountain to the Gap I kept thinking I really want to experience the Blueberry Patch as I had heard so much about it. I have not been disappointed. It pushed my comfort zone a little, but after all the people are part of the trail experience . Jess and Voodoo are here as well as Maverick, Andy, Frankie the Sleeper, Tank, Fuzzy, Adam, and Coleen. Very enjoyable company. Seven us went to dinner at Daniels and any where else people would have thought we were one big happy family. Our major commonality being to have a goal to walk to Maine. Four glasses of southern sweet tea were the highlight of meal. But it was also great to have some veggies. Met a man on the trail who said something about miles to the NC border. I knew I was getting closer bit by bit but I just ignored looking further ahead in the guide book. My goal will be to a reach Bly Gap tomorrow just over the state line. But there will be some long climbs. I developed a blister descending Blood Mountain on day 4. Hoping this "nero" day will allow for some healing. It's okay after I get started--more of an annoyance than anything. Frankie the Sleeper overdid this section last year, so I am going to follow his advice and be good to myself. This probably means stopping in Franklin, NC. Thoughts in general: My clarity of thinking improved after a couple of days but still requires more concentration when tired and/ or fingers are cold . I can test my self as I start out in the trail saying the trisagion prayers. If parts don't pop in my mind in the right sequence, I know my brain is not fully functioning. Trail magic: the apple a man gave me yesterday morning gave me the power the get up the mountain. The wind was picking up through a gap and temperature was dropping, so I put on a fleece jacket plus a rain jacket for a wind breaker and ate the apple and sailed on across the mountain. The sun that broke through the clouds for a glorious sunrise on at Blue Mountain Shelter went away in a while. One of the guys woke up to see it then went back to tent for more Zzz's. Hard to tell from picture but we were temporally above the clouds. It seemed that the mountain grabs the moisture and holds it. When the cloud encounters the trees, it condenses on tree branches and drops constantly. Our shelter last night had a tin roof and as night fell so did the drops from the trees. It sounded like popcorn on the stove. Several times hikers remarked "it feels like we are in a rain forest." After we got down to hostel the sun came out. I cannot express the elation everyone felt to see and feel the power of the sun's rays. We all took the tents out in the back yard to dry and worked on our gear, such as taking stock of food bag. I never appreciated the sun so much. On the other hand, I appreciate the experience of actually living in the weather as compared to looking out from the comfort of a living room and remarking on the passing weather events. Reminds me of stories of sailors who were stuck in fog for days. Now when I drive through a sunny valley and see the cloud shrouded peak, I will know what it most feel like to be on that mountaintop. I thought of that as we were riding into town and Gary said " see that peak covered by a cloud? That is Brasstown Bald the highest mountain in GA." (It's a ways off the AT so I will skip)Many have advised not leaving home without earplugs because of snoring. Personaly a good regular snorer buts me to sleep. Makes you worry if the snoring stops. Last night had a campfire with the group all sitting around swapping stories. It took Voodoo and Jess an hour to nurse the fire to life, but they stuck with it to the joy of all. It was the first night that when people came off the trail they stayed out, cooked and visited rather than crawling to the sleeping bag even if only 3 in afternoon. My addition to my food bag includes some hot chocolate mix and granola bars. And a Hershey almond bar for a treat later. Enjoyed my second American holly grove today. I usually only see a couple of trees together so have enjoyed seeing an entire group of hollies. Vodoo and Jess came off the mountain at daylight and got to hear a great bared owl calling as well the heart stopping experience of jumping a ruffed grouse.