Date: 2005-03-20
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: few clouds

Today was another great day on the trail. The weather was cold but sunny - perfect for hiking.The crowd at the shelter decided that they were all going into Hiawassee, which was consistent with my original plan, and that is where we all ended up The hike was over ten miles, and included one rather challenging climb - Kelly Knob - which just seemed to go on forever, with one false summit after another. I was hiking with Butterfly Moon, a 23 year old emergency room nurse from Stateville, Georgia. She is the first person I have found who is just as slow as me going up hill and just as fast as me going down hill. Once we figured that out, we just sort of naturally stuck together all the way from Tray Mountain to Dicks Creek Gap where the road to Hiawassee crosses the trail.We stuck out our thumbs (something, it turned out neither of us had actually done before) and waited patiently for a ride. Within six minutes, a car coming from the direction of Hiawassee pulled into the parking area where we were standing, and turned out to be another self-appointed trail angel by the name of Laurie.She offered us cold drinks from her cooler, candy bars and cookies. I swear, that can of cold lemonade was the best drink I have ever tasted. It REALLY hit the spot. Thanks, Laurie!Laurie, and her sweet little border collie Bonnie, gave us a ride into Hiawassee to the Holiday Inn Express where most of M Company was headed. After we checked in, she drove us back over the mountains to the store at Neels Gap where Butterfly Moon bought a new pack and I collected the missing piece of my new alcohol stove which had not been waiting for me at the hotel as promised. It worked out well; however, as I was also able to get the belt on my new pack replaced with one that fit better, and replaced the water bottle I'd burned holes in during my little misadventure with my new stove (Thanks, Winton!). While Butterfly tried on various packs, I used my time to restock for the next four or five day hike into Franklin, North Carolina. When she was done, Laurie drove us back to Hiawassee where we got showers, had dinner, got our gear and supplies organized, and did laundry. Butterfly called her boy friend while I got caught up on my journal, and then I sent emails out and called home. Nothing but good news from the home front, including how well Mathew had done with a bridging over ceremony he participated in with his Boy Scout troop. As usual, he made his Mom and me very proud.I am continuing to have the time of my life out here on the trail, enjoying every minute of it. The camaraderie of all the other hikers is really the best part, as there are just so many neat people doing this thing together, and the community spirit is phenomenal. Today's hike is dedicated to my sister, Carol - who has always believed in me and has been one of my most ardent supporters in this adventure. I love ya Sis!Stay tuned, Longhaul(Editor¢s Note)Takoma Ted Somerset has a song entitled ¢The People Are the Trail¢ on his ¢Blue Notes Between the White Blazes¢ CD. If you don¢t own a copy, you really should buy one! It¢s great music for the trail. You can get a copy at his website: http://www.takomatedd.com/ When you get your copy, come back to Longhaul¢s trail journal for the words and sing along¢¦.(Note¢Tedd, if I messed up any of the words, I promise to let you thrash me with your guitar when next we meet.)The People Are the TrailTakoma Tedd You can sing a song about rainbowsYou sing a song about starsYou can sing a song about Mountain tops Lookin¢ a distance farYou can sing a song about the beautyThat never seems to failBut I¢m often of the opinion That the people are the trailSometimes we call them angelsSometimes we call them friendsSometimes it¢s just a smiling face When you¢re feeling drawn and thinThere so many, many helping hands From start to journey¢s endTo get you over that rocky path That turns and twists and bendsSo, you can sing a song about rainbowsYou sing a song about starsYou can sing a song about Mountain tops Lookin¢ a distance farYou can sing a song about the beautyThat never seems to failBut I¢m often of the opinion That the people are the trailIt can be a drink of waterWhen you¢re feelin¢ parched and drySometimes it seems they have a heartThat¢s bigger than the sky It¢s the random acts of kindnessFrom strangers along the wayThat keep you moving forward And onward every daySo, you can sing a song about rainbowsYou sing a song about starsYou can sing a song about Mountain tops Lookin¢ a distance farYou can sing a song about the beautyThat never seems to failBut I¢m often of the opinion That the people are the trailIt can be a comrade that travels by your sideIt can be those at a Login placeWhere the doors are open wideGuy in the pickup truck that offers you a rideBut they often give you something more That comes from deep insideSo, you can sing a song about rainbowsYou sing a song about starsYou can sing a song about Mountain tops Lookin¢ a distance farYou can sing about the BeautyThat never seems to failBut I¢m often of the opinion That the people are the trailYou can sing a song about rainbowsYou sing a song about starsYou can sing a song about Mountain tops Lookin¢ a distance farYou can sing a song about the BeautyThat never seems to failBut I¢m often of the opinion That the people are the trailYes, I¢m often of the opinion That the people are the trailSaid, I¢m often of the opinion That the people are the trail