Date: 2018-04-14
From: Wayah Bald Trail Head

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up early this morning and grabbed my day pack, Orlando grabbed hers too. We were soon loaded up to go find our respective starting places. Papa Big Swig pulled through McDonalds for breakfast.  We ate in the SUV on the way. Sausage McMuffin meal for me and an iced coffee W/sugar free vanilla syrup. Orlando got me started on the iced coffee. Pretty sure it¢s going to be my new thing for a while. Papa Big Swig drove us back to Rock Gap for Orlando to start her hike. She did a 10 mile day northbound to Wayah Gap. I started at Wayah Bald and did only 4 miles southbound to Wayah Gap. Now I¢m only 4 miles ahead of Orlando, and we can be picked up at the same place. If the weather allows, she will make up those 4 miles tomorrow and we can begin slack packing together on Monday.  It¢s a lot on Papa Big Swig to be dropping us off and picking us up at different locations. Even though I started out only 14 miles away from Orlando this morning, it took about 1.5 hours to drive from her starting point to mine. I guess that¢s the way it is in the mountains. The driving is no big deal on a Saturday, but starting Monday he¢ll be back at work and cannot do that. Even still, I know I am very fortunate to have him here for a few weeks. I¢m hoping his help allows me to catch my Tramily by the time I reach Damascus. Even though we all text from time to time, I miss them.  I started out on top of Wayah mountain today. I liked that because my hiking began with a down! I accidentally left my trekking poles in the SUV which means my knee took a beating. It¢s a little sore now. Hoping that¢s temporary. Bet I don¢t forget anymore! My 4 legged hiking partner came with me again today. I just can¢t believe how good she is on the trail! I¢ll take her often now that I know. She¢s such a good listener!   I arrived at Wayah Gap about an hour before Orlando so Seylor and I had lunch while we waited. I ate deer jerky and some left over trail mix Papa Big Swig had made some time ago ... yummy! Seylor had a jumbone and some of my deer jerky. We both drank water.  We are back at the camper now getting ready for our free hiker dinner at a local German restaurant http://www.rathskellerfranklin.com/. The mother of this restaurant owner has a B&B here in Franklin. Hugs is staying there during her recovery. This little lady is at least 80 years old, and as sweet as she can be! She takes care of the hikers, and her son carries on the tradition.  A storm is rolling in tonight. It¢s suppose to rain all day tomorrow. Then Monday night the temps drop below freezing again.  The nice thing about hiking at my age is that we can afford to get off the trail when we need to, and most of the time avoid bad weather.(though I¢ve been caught out there twice already). Today during my flip flop I ran into Translator & Santa Claus, they¢re in their twenties and they just can¢t get off, so they¢re going to hunker down in their tents. The longest I¢ve been stuck in my tent is 11 hours. That¢s a long time in a 1 person tent! Again, I really do know I¢m very lucky to have Papa Big Swig here.  I¢m beginning to realize a lot of things out here. For example, It¢s so nice to see everyone behaving at their best. Let me tell you what I mean by that. There¢s all walks of life out here, lawyers, dog walkers, nurses, unemployed, pilots, mechanics, waiters & waitresses, and so on. You really can¢t tell who is who because we ALL look the same. We¢re all just hikers on one team. Everybody helps everybody else with a good heart and genuine concern.  I love it! I wish the whole world could be like this.  Something about having nothing makes one humble.  Secondly, I think today¢s youth get an unfair negative rap. I¢ve been so impressed with their campfire discussions. Millennials are very aware of world situations, much less self centered than portrayed, and far more intelligent than they get credit for. I was once one of those judgmental boomers, but I have faith in our future again. These kids will be ready when their turn comes.  It¢s been too long since i¢ve thanked all of the folks who sign my guest book! You are much appreciated! I wish I could respond individually, but know that I read every one of them, and I am grateful.  Whew! This is a long one! Today¢s photo is of Papa Big Swig.... my favorite trail angel!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?