Date: 2006-03-21
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

A much easier day today. Knowing I was headed into town for a shower, "real food" and a zero tomorrow gave me an incentive for the mountains. There was only one big mountain, Kelly Knob, which had a 1000 ft gain, several smaller climbs and a 1200 ft descent into the gap. Most of the day we were hiking in a cool, misty cloud with lots of dripping from the heavy rain overnight; but there was no actual rain and the wind was calm. About noon the sun broke through and we could see the mountain ridges in the distance.I used the mini pack towel on the tent fly, but it was still wet when I put it away. Decided on a cold breakfast again of bagel and cheese, and stocked my pocket with 2 Snickers, a power bar, a handful of gorp, and a packet of gatorade for snacking and an energy boost along the way. Was about 7th of those leaving the shelter. Soon Gigi and 5-Way caught up and passed me, but I reached them again whenever they took a break. Started hiking with 5-Way at the 1st big up, and we hiked together for the rest of the day as our ages (his 55, mine 60), paces, and personalities are compatible. Part way thru we decided to share a room together at the Hiawassee Inn where I'm writing this. FiveWay got his name from the 5-way coronary bypass he underwent. He also has 5 stents and about 75% cardiac function restored after his coronary. He has a web site in association with the American Heart Assn, and is the subject of a research study at a hospital in Columbus. He did a nuclear provision test--6 hours on the treadmill to simulate the hike and study his heart function. (In contrast my nuclear stress test was about 20 min on the treadmill.) I'm sure there's more info on his web site: AppalachianTrailHeartwalk.com. He has to slow way down and rest frequently on the big ascents at altitude and rest. Turns out his rests come just about when I start to feel my heart pounding and am really huffing and puffing and am ready for a break myself. Thus our pace was compatible and we traded life stories and info about our families. Made the miles and time go fast.How we got to Hiawassee Inn is a story in itself. We waffled about staying at the Blueberry Patch Hostel just 2 miles from the gap, but thought it might be full. Another hiker from Tray Mtn, Marco Solo, called and let us know there was plenty of room so we told him we'd join him there. Then when we got to the gap and I was donning my jacket, up pulls an SUV offering us a ride. Turns out the driver, Frank, has a new hostel, Cloud Nine cabin at the trout fishing pond he runs just a mile east of the gap, but had no problem taking us to Blueberry, where Lennie welcomed us and showed us to the last two bunks. The place was cramped like a shelter with triple-decker bunks, a common room where blueberry pancakes are served for breakfast, and a separate building housing a bathroom and shower. It was a little cramped and less private than we envisioned plus 8 miles from town. Well, just has I got all my gear pulled out and hung on lines for drying, Gary returns from town and lets us know the places Lennie gave us were already taken. So we called the guy from the fish pond but got voice mail. Gary from the Blueberry Patch Hostel then called Hiawassee Inn for us and they came out to shuttle us. Then before they arrived Frank from Cloud Nine shows up. So in the end we're staying in town tonight and at Cloud Nine tomorrow. We did our laundry here and the Inn owner, Sam, let us use their van to do town errands and drive to dinner.Dinner was at GA Mountain Restaurant where we had a great meal for $10.50 including tip. We resupplied at the grocery and got beers there then came back to catch up the journals.In a respite from: Onward to Maine!