Date: 2005-04-21
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, Tenn.
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 41 Pictures? Click here.I did not sleep well last night for some reason. My left knee was aching for the first time and later in the night my hip and back were aching in spite of ibuprofen. I also had a bit of a cough but not bad--just a tickle in my throat. T-2, on the other hand, said he slept well after he took a decongestant and benadryl for allergies--he's been coughing a lot at night when he lies down.This morning T-2 was packed up and had his back-pack on before I was all packed or even had my boots on. So I hurried up and we were on our way. I forgot to sign the shelter register because I was in a hurry. Before we left at 8 a.m. Cuppa Joe, Feelin Free and Scholar hiked in from where they were camped 7 miles away. They started at 3:30 a.m. They are supposed to be going easy but it does not sound like it to me. Some of the hikers staying at the shelter area were Piker and Mileage (Makay's new trail name), Eagle Eye, Nate, Poet, Hard Core Hiker, Snowman and Icicle, and a section hiker whose name I cannot remember.We did not heat up water for coffee this morning since we were rushing and we just ate a pop tart. T-2 has an appetite and he looked at the little bit of food we have left and thinks it is not much and wants to hike on in to Erwin to get some real food tonight so when we got to the last shelter before Erwin where I had intended to stay tonight we decided to hike on. I again have not felt the best today--like I have a low grade fever--and I would rather be in town if I start feeling worse. We had gotten our water before the shelter since the data book did not show any other water source between there and Erwin. When we reached No Business Knob Shelter there was a group there but we pressed on past. Eventually, Scholar, eagle Eye, Nate, Piker, amd Mileage passed us as they were going to press on in to Erwin as well. (I think I have yet to pass anyone on the trail--everyone passes me.) Scholar did over 22 miles today.I called Miss Janet's Hostel from the trail and left a message on the answering machine that we were wanting to stay there if there was room and that I would call again in 2-3 hours when we got down off the mountain. When we got down Uncle Johnny's Hostel was right there and there seemd to be a lot of people staying there. I was going to call Miss Janet's on the cell phone but could not get a signal from there. When I went to use the pay phone at Uncle Johnny's the cost was 1 dollar for 4 minutes and if I got the answering machine the message on it would take up most of that time. T-2 was going to get a cold soda from the machine and it was expensive as well as some other things he priced so we moved on up the road toward the motels. Once up the road we got a signal so I called Miss Janet's only to find out that they do not have any room. So we called the Super-8 since they have a shuttle, but at the time the shuttle person was not available, although the person I spoke with said that a hitch is easy to get. At this point I am not feeling too well--weak and dizzy--and don't even know if I can walk any further but I put a couple of pieces of trail mix in my mouth but I feel too sick to eat any more. I did take in a little water thinking maybe I am dehydrated a bit. Finally I stand up and am surprisingly walking out to the road where we need to try to get a hitch. I see a man on his mower and his wife is in the yard, also. I ask her if we are going in the right direction to get to the Super-8 and they both give us directions of how to get there. I ask them if it is 3 miles away like the motel person said it was and they said it was. After a bit more talk the woman said she could take us if we wanted her to. I told her that would be great and we would be happy to pay her but she said she would not take anything. I got her name and address so I can send her a thank you note after we finish the trail. It was great to take off my boots and sit down and just relax. T-2 took off for McDonalds and came back with cheeseburgers, fries, a 2 liter bottle of sprite. pringles, and Little Debbie oatmeal cakes. Later he ordered pizza to be delivered. There is internet access here in the lobby and a breakfast in the mornings. Toto will be here tomorrow sometime before noon. I think I will try to get to a clinic somewhere to get checked out. I think I have a sinus infection and need antibiotics. Watched a little TV and now am turning in. I cannot seem to get the room cool enough so hope I can sleep. Good night.