Date: 2008-04-06
From: The Blueberry Patch

To: Franklin N.C.
Miles today: 40.1
Weather: clear sky

We finally left Georgia. At mile #76.3 there was a sign on a tree that announced the border. It is Tuesday and I am in Franklin, N.C. We have hiked 40 miles in the last 3 days. There was no phone reception in the mountains of North Carolina. Last night I was in my sleeping bag at 7:00 pm. That was almost 12 hours stuck in a tent. I plan to update daily as much as possible. These mountains are a lot harder than I ever imagined. Yesterday we climbed Albert Mt. elevation 5220. The last 700 feet was close to vertical and required some difficult rock climbs. We hiked 15.3 miled yesterday and 15.7 the day before. This morning I hit 100 miles at a small stream crossing. With all the rain they have had all the streams and springs are running, so water is abundant. Sometimes the trail and a stream run together so it taked a little rock hopping to keep your shoes dry. I am a fanatic about keeping my feet dry. I did a pole vault yesterday by putting both poles in the middle of a stream crossing, and vaulted over the small creek. Next to good hiking shoes, I think hiking poles are a hikers most valued possesion. They have saved me from many falls. I have to explain the picture that came with my posting on Saturday night. That was a picture of the back of my secretary at Dutch Valley. I was trying out my new verizon phone and took pictures in the office. How it got on the journal I do not know. Ann, my former secretary thought I was playing a trick on her. I really was not. If I knew how to actually sent pictures I would sent one of the other side of her since she is really quite attractive. Although, that is the view I had of her every day.I really do miss all my friend at the restaurant. I am amazed at the people signing my quest book, it encourages me to perservere. We are at the Budget Motel in Franklin tonight, Ron Havens is the owner and picked us up at the trail head 11 miles away. He is quite a trail legend around here. Kirk Miller and his group are also here. Tomorrow we head toward Fontana Dam and should be there by Sat. afternoon. That is where the Smokey Mountains start. We are at mile #107.6 today. That 40.1 daily miles is a total over the last 3 days. I am using the computer in the hotel lobby which is so much easier than my little phone. I realize I am jumping all over the place but am trying to get 3 days in one journal. I never realized how many mountains there are in Georgia and N.C. and we seem to be going over every one of them. A few wild flowers are popping up but no leaves yet on the trees. It gets cold at night but my 15 degree Montbell sleeping bag keeps me warm. Finally I wish to thank Gary and Lennie Poteat at the Blueberry Patch in Hiawassee, Georgia, what a great couple of people. On Sunday morning before we left we had a full course breakfast, and then they took us back to the trail. They do this as a Christian outreach to hikers and only accept donations. What an example of Christian living they are. If any of you out there wish to bless someone and yourself at the same time, that would be a good cause. The address is, The Blueberry Patch, Lenny and Gary Poteat, Hwy,76 East. Hiawassee, Georgia 30546. Tell them it's for taking in an apostle on a cold rainy day. They invited me to church with them, saying they have never had an Apostle Paul in their church. I told them I was still on the road to Damascus, but promised I would be back to visit there church someday. Thanks again for all the encouraging words.