Date: 2009-03-28
From: Dick's Creek;Hiawassee Inn

To: Dick's Creek Gap Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

What a long day! I'm not a big television watcher and it rained most of the day, so I just sat here in this room reading trailjournals of those ahead of me and some behind me.I don't know where I fall ¢in¢ with everyone but I still just have to hike my own hike. People come and go so fast around here. (Ha, that was what Dorothy said on The Wizard of Oz when Glenda the Good Witch disappeared as a puff of smoke.) Unless you are the same speed as someone else albeit fast or slow you tend to fall into your own gait pattern and go from destination to destination knowing you probably won't be camping with the same group tomorrow night as you did tonight.That's kind of sad for me because I want to meet and to know everyone. But most of the time everyone is in such a hurry to get to the next stop for the day that names are never exchanged. I guess I long for more people my own age that will take it all just a little slower. I do understand why some hikers have to go fast and one of those reasons being the lack of time to finish.I just know that I want to enjoy the hike as much as I possibly can. And please know that I'm not saying that the fast hikers don't enjoy it. But I like remembering the cold, babbling brook that I was so glad to see when I was thirsty. The beautiful view of a mountain range after making an arduous climb up a summit. The rocks coming alive with a new spring growth of brillant, green moss. The trees and shrubs with a tiny hint of buds bursting into the warm rays of the sun. The nice, dry, dirt trail after sliding around on a wet,muddy one.Even having a hiker speed by and we trade ¢Have a good day!¢ greetings,all make hiking this trail such a momentous occasion. And to tell you the truth I was really hoping that the first few weeks would be some (getting adjusted to it all) downtime for me. And it has been just that. Tonight I went to Daniel's AYCE(all you can eat) buffet with a thru-hiker couple Indiana Dan and his wife Minnie.They have been here at the Inn for three days and are also leaving for the trail tomorrow. They got off at Unicoi Gap. We had a great conversation about our hikes so far and the many bear encounter stories. By the way,remember the night Greyson and Micah saw the bear after I had gone to my tent?It was at Baggs Creek campsite. Well the park service has now closed the camping areas through there because the bear was getting food bags out of the trees. Hmmmmm I carry a bear canister (that is bearproof) so I don't have to hang my food every night.I just close it up and sit it away from camp. This is one of my¢creature comforts¢I was talking about. And it may be one I'll be keeping. It, of course, will also keep out mice,raccoon, and any other critter that wants my food. A bear may knock it around but it can't bite it or tear into it.   Laura the dog in my picture is a Jack Russell. She is a real cutie. Thanks for the compliment.Someone also asked about my poncho. It is an Ultralight silnylon backpack (extended back to cover pack) poncho. I got it at Campmor. I does flap in very windy conditions so I have to tuck the sides under my pack belt. If I anyone has a question about my gear I'll be glad to answer it. I know there is better and worse out there but mine is what it is and other than a too wet of a tent I am pleased with it all. Maybe my next zero day I can go into it all. But today I just wanted to get some personal thoughts out. Thanks for listening. Thanks again so much for signing my guest book. Your encouragement of love just makes my day.   Back up the mountain tomorrow come rain or shine. Woohoo!