Date: 2003-04-25
From: Mount Collins Shelter

To: 4/26 Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Oh my...so glad to be out of Gatlinburg!!! It is the evening of the 26th, and Dutch, Laughy Taffy and I got a ride out of Gatlinburg with a wonderful family from Franklin, NC. The kids were so cute, and, of course, I had a fabu conversation with them about where I was from and the new baby cats they had at their house. Trail magic is an amazing thing...we were only waiting by the side of the road for 15 minutes...So, we hiked all of 5 miles yesterday and 3 today, but we didn't get sucked into taking a full zero in the money-sucking vortex that is Gatlinburg, TN. Cruiser and Reason could not resist, and, sadly, we left them at the Grand Prix Motel (nice place for hikers to stay, right near The Happy Hiker outfitter). They promise to catch up, but it's hard to do once you've put in a zero. We're still hoping to catch up with Twigs and Nuts again at some point, but they are almost three days ahead of us now. It's hard, it seems, to maintain relationships out here...they feel sometimes as if they are fleeting things. This has been difficult for me to deal with at some points, as it is hard for me to develop relationships and feel comfortable with new people. Here in the shelter tonight, there are a group of guys who have been hiking at about the same pace and have the same type of comraderie that Dutch, Nuts, Twigs, Reason and I did; and it can make others feel (not intentionally, !of course) as if they are outsiders...missing out on all the private jokes. A group of hikers that have been travelling together can be overwhelming sometimes...and I know that we probably have seemed that way. The other thing that can occur when you have become part of a group, is injury, or some other incident that causes one or more to slow down or zero for a day. Then you have to choose whether to hike your own hike or let someone else's hike dictate what you do. I have done both of these things, the latter to maintain the integrity of the relationships that had developed; and the former to get my butt back on the trail and do what I came here to do. I don't feel that I've made any wrong decisions at this point, and every day I'm learning more about myself, my physical and emotional capabilities and limits/limitations. The Trail has been GOOD and continues to be so.Several people have written asking how I'm doing physically and if I need anything. In answer to those questions...I have been feeling most excellent (in the words of Bill and Ted) for most of the past 4-5 days. The only exception to this was my morning awakening this morning in Gatlinburg after going to the brewery, dancing and then waking up way too early. I have been on a "hiking high" and feel really strong when I'm out on the trail. The weather has cooperated for the most part (not tonight! very foggy!) to give me an amazing hike through the Smokies. I have sustained no injuries, unlike many of "my" group of hikers, who have had knee and ankle problems. I still have one black toenail, but it hasn't fallen off, and I have a two week old blood blister on the side of one heel that doesn't hurt at all...I found it by accident. The small bones on my inner ankles and my bunions ache at the end of the day, but that's about it. I weighed myself in Gatlinburg, and I've !lost 15 pounds since the start of the trek...hope to increase that number.As far what can people send/do?? Mail at my mail drop sites would be great...I'd love to hear from you! I don't really need anything at this point except perhaps an occasional phone card (thanks Mom!). I have plenty (too much!) of food. The only thing I do is supplement it at grocery stores along the way with cheese, squeeze Parkay, tortillas and some fresh fruit and veggies. I suppose help with this on occasion would also be great.I have loved receiving e-mails from people...your encouragement is tremendous for me!! Anyone who would like to can e-mail me at: WOODSDRAGON@pocketmail.com   A final note tonight...Elizabeth, I wish you a happy belated 70th birthday. I only wish that the celebratory occasion had not been saddened by the following day's tragedy. I send you my love and as much energy as I can...I hope that someday you will be able to move beyond Elphan's passing on. Take care, my friend.