Date: 2018-04-05
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was difficult.  The shelter/tent site was nearly at the top of Tray Mountain.  I swear each mountain has its own weather system. The wind blew all day yesterday and just as I reached the shelter the temperature began dropping quickly.  I don¢t know how cold it actuality got up there on that mountain , but there was a freeze warning in the town below.  My little tent held up well to endless 40mph wind gusts all night long, and my Big Agnes down sleeping bag kept me snug.  About 6:45 am the wind stopped, and today was a beautiful new sunshiny day.  Myself, Samantha, and Orlando(new trail friends)sat on the side of the shelter to watch a glorious sunrise!  This is why we do what we do! One good thing about sleeping at the top is that your day starts going down!  That was nice for me because we had to do 11 miles today.  This is the second time I¢ve hiked that far, and the last time was brutal.  I knocked out the first 4 miles quickly, but the sun came up and it was hot!!  I¢m also having problems with foot blisters so I was pretty slow until the end.  There¢s something rewarding though about going slow.  Today I met a hiker named Half Slow.  He¢s a 65 years old Vietnamese man, and he looks maybe 50 years old at most.  He took a blue blaze to get some water, and I almost passed it up but at the last minute decided I might need some more water since we still had about 5 miles to go. When I arrived at the stream there he was with his boots off enjoying the cool water on his feet.  He invited me to join him.  I took off my socks and hiking boots, and laid out my socks to dry. They were a little wet with sweat. He took a homemade scoop and poured water over my calves and the tops of my feet, then he offered me some Tang. It was so refreshing!  Half Slow has hiked the PCT.  He¢s half slow because he stops every two hours to take care of his feet which are blister free, and he doesn¢t pass up the views.  The other part of him is half fast.  He hikes with the speed of a 20 year old!  From now on I¢m going to be half slow too and take care of my feet...well at MY sloth pace I may become whole slow!  lol I hiked the last 4 miles today with Orlando. She¢s newly retired at 59 years of age, and plans to go the distance to Maine. I have no doubts that she will make it.  We were the last ones in. (I¢m used to that). It was awesome to see Sam and her husband Mike waiting there for us to give us a ride into Hiawassee.  No hitchhiking today!  Also Texas waited for me, and Susan another new trail friend was there.  Mike and Sam were done with their section hike today, but they stuck around to be our trail angels.  When Orlando and I got in they had a cold can of pop and some Cheetos waiting for each of us!  Mmmm good! We chose to do 11 miles today because more cold and rain is expected tomorrow and Saturday, so we need to get to a town. The Holiday Inn Express is now inundated with Through Hikers! Most of us enjoyed a buffet dinner, all you can eat for $8.95.  My belly is full now and I¢m considering heading down to the hot tub. It would be nice to stick my aching feet into some warm water.  Planning to zero the next two days due to inclement weather.  My feet need a break too. Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?