Date: 2005-04-28
From: Gatlinburg (zero day)

To: A Spring on the trail
Miles today: 12.5

I decided not to eat breakfast at Elmer's this morning, I had a hankering for more of that Diner food. When I arrived Batch was already there so I asked if I could join him and as we sat there Newheart came in. Shortly thereafter Noodle arrived so the four of us talked and ate our breakfast. I thought I could eat a lot however, Noodle could put away pounds of food. I saw this before, back in Gatlinburg and I am here to tell you it isn't pretty. There were four of us, Newheart, Praying Mantis, myself and Noodle. We went to a "All you can eat buffet" at a typical tourist type of restaurant. Noodle ate a main meal plus about two pounds (Literally) of breaded shrimp. He leaned back and said, "I'm full, sure wish I didn't eat those two double cheeseburgers before I came here". He had a snack before supper. We all laughed as he reached for more shrimp. Beware the hiker appetite, it sure is huge.    Batch pretty well had his next section of hike planned out to the mile. I tried that but could never stick to it. I would normally end up further then I planned. I guess by this time the legs were getting stronger, the load lighter and I was down 24 pounds in body weight so my pace and endurance picked up. The fact was I didn't need to rest as much, especially going up hill, as I did in the beginning. How I adjusted to this was to choose three possible places to stop. This way I wasn't stressed out by having to be at one spot or else. A time line as I found out, can put a damper on the hike and for me that is what this trail was not about. No stress, just hike....   I was back on the trail at 8:30 and by 9:30 climbed out of the valley and sat overlooking the French Broad River. This was the river that Robin back at the NOC said I would be perfect for. As she put it, "They are your kind of people, laid back". What I believe she meant by that was there are clicks among the river rafting guides and this one would be the one for me but, laid back? Laid back? me? Mr. type A personality? Well I guess this trail has its rewards on many levels. Laid back is exactly what I am looking for in my life. Batch soon walked by and we talked for a moment. He moved on as I began my memorized yoga routine, a good stretch after a good climb was nice.       I spent the night at a spring about a mile and a half past the Spring Mtn Shelter. I convinced Praying Mantis, Newheart and Noodle to come with me and leave the shelter behind. Once again I liked to stay near shelters but not in them if possible. People snore and I am a light sleeper. I rather sleep on the ground then on a wood floor, it was easier on the back. Plus the mice and the potential virus issue, not interested. Hikers also come in at all times of the evening. When I went in to my tent for the night that was it. I wanted to get all the sleep I could before those birds woke up. Spring time down south, talk about your birds, they were everywhere. I remember night hiking to avoid the heat further up the trail. I was in PA and I came upon a flock of birds roosting in tall skinny trees. I shook them awake and said loudly, "There how do you like it, tweet tweet my butt". I smiled...life's little victories....