Date: 2003-03-19
From: Goose Creek Cabins (Zero Day)

To: Goose Creek Cabins (Zero Day)
Miles today: 0.0

      Keith is going to run me into Blairsville to a restaurant and a food store. He routinely makes this trip each night for the hikers. I will reassess the weather situation then and make some choices about tomorrow. I don't know what to do with the tent--it's still rolled up wet in the ridgerest. I hate to have to bring it inside the cabin since it is so wet and dirty, but I may have to in order to dry it out--at least the inside.   I think the way to go would have been to use a small tarp and ground cloth, and use bug netting if necessary. Requires less space to set up and offers more options to stop in a pinch. Also it has fewer stakes, no poles and is easier to set up and pack. Downside is much less protection if bad storm hit and less warmth (no problem with that yet)................OK, here's my dilemma: severe weather is supposed to arrive tomorrow afternoon. The first shelter is approx. 7.5 miles away and at my pace will likely (certainly) be full, if I get there before or during the storm. Being the slowest on the trail has many disadvantages: shelters aren't available and you never see people again once they pass. So you end up having to set up and camp solo every night.         Went with two hikers from Atlanta and a couple from New England to the Cookie Jar Steakhouse for dinner. We all had the buffet--$6 including beverage, and it was great. All of the hikers from Neel's Gap were there also. We all wandered over to Ingle's afterward and shopped until Keith came and picked us up in the van. Everyone else will be leaving in the morning--I know if I were to try it, I'd get hammered. I need to make more miles and find a routine.....A lightening storm swung through early this morning and knocked out the power at 5am. Went down to the main building at about 8am. None of the others are even considering leaving either. This is just the tip of what is supposed to come through today. And it looks like a couple more also.......Had fresh coffee, bagels with cream cheese and salmon for breakfast. Have to get my gear in order for the morning. Sewed up my shorts which had a hole ripped in them the other day. Hung the tent in the shower in hopes that it will dry out, and have to replace a couple of lines I don't care for.......When the van went up to Neels' Gap to pick up new arrivals from the trail, I hitched a ride. I bought a pair of foam sandals, clog-like in design, called Waldies which come in garish colors. I got red. These replace my other sandals, which promptly went into the hiker box downstairs, and will be used for camp shoes. Quite a weight savings involved also--at least half......While box diving, I ferreted a small piece of closed cell foam to use as an entrance runner to the tent. It will help keep some dirt out and make enrty/exit easier also. Two luxury ounces. Then I swallowed hard and paid too much for a pair of Leki Super Makalu hiking poles. My poles were too long and tiring to use because of their length. They will now serve as my tent poles and I can rid myself of the extra weight......I've also rethought my food situation. I'm usually too tired to cook or eat at the end of the day. So I'm going to go with quick no cook meals. Maybe the ease will encourage me to eat. Tortillas, tuna, ham, cheeses, bagels, cream cheese, etc, then carry one hot meal and a ramen if the weather to cook in and/or the desire strikes......No one is going out until Friday morning--heavy thunderstorms predicted until midnight tomorrow. Although a few left Neels' Gap this afternoon, they are some very hardy or very dumb folks.....I feel out of my element here--the weather can change minute to minute and does. Rained all day today........Met the Smith Family today as they came into Neel's Gap--wet,tired but in good spirits. They are staying here at Goose Creek also......Peregrine and Red Rover were up at the hostel also watching a movie. "Stealing Arizona" was a little too much noise for me--lol. They are in the cabin next to me. Hatteras is here also. The only one loving this weather is Keith. However, he is running his butt off trying to accommodate everyone. Two shuttles went to town for dinner but I stayed behind tonight and cooked a Lipton dinner which I had to get rid of anyway......I know you're all thinking: "You've been at the resort more than you've been on the trail." But it has been time well spent re-evaluating things and learning some things that may pay dividends down the trail. My leg is red and inflamed but I feel good otherwise and am restless to continue north.