Date: 2008-03-12
From: Moreland Gap (I think 3050')

To: Cloud 9 Hiker hostel
Miles today: 1.2

Last night was real cold (around freezing) and a little windy. I still couldn't get my tent right, but it was definitely better last night. I woke up and headed out as soon as I could which was around 9:30 again. I slept in a little because I woke up in the middle of the night for some reason. I skipped breakfast and walked the 1.2 downhill to Dicks Creek Gap. It was 1.5 down the road to Cloud 9 and I started to walk with my thumb out, thus making my first attempt at hitchhiking. The road was not meant for walking on as there were guardrails and somewhat blind turns, not very safe. I was walking in the drainage ditch for a while which was a low point. No-one stopped for me until the hostel was in sight and the guy that stopped told me the hostel was 50 yards away so I didn't bother with the ride. The weather was great and everyone was real friendly and showed me around and the place was nice. There was a bunkhouse, main house, and tree house. There was a big TV with couches and a hot tub outside.A former thru-hiker named Crutch got me situated in the bunkhouse and showed me the showers and laundry and said people were going into town around 3PM. I showered did laundry and just hung out until then. There was a pond next to the hostel with trout and then a smaller one with catfish, carp, trout, and possibly one other kind of fish. You were allowed to catch your dinner if you wanted for $5. Some of the hikers there I had seen before and some were new. A couple were taking several zero days to relax and heal their feet. I played horseshoes with a hiker named Ian (I think) and his trail name was No Responsibility (I think). Neither of us really were good or knew the rules, but I found out he had spent time mountaineering in South America and works on a salmon fishing boat in Alaska. Another hiker was Coconut who was an EMTI in Hartford, CT which sounded like a stressful job at times. The hostel is currently for sale and a hiker named Windjammer was considering buying it and linking it to a non profit he¢s involved with in Wisconsin. It's a real cool place to hang out and I could see the temptation to stay at or even buy the place. Some people were watching Lord of the Rings in the main house which I thought was funny because how Stevo got worried for Bob and Quade on the AT while reading it and imagined the AT being like Lord of the Rings. There was a big pizza order before we went into town which we were going to pick up. I got some groceries at Ingles and stopped at the Holiday Inn Express to pick up my camera Esra mailed me. We got the pizza which was really heavy for pizza and Crutch had talked it up as some really filling pizza. It smelled great and when we got back everyone raided the pizza. I first opened Esra's package and found my camera along with a letter, a picture, and an iPod shuffle. The letter and picture were great so I know what she's up to and she said she loaded the iPod up with songs which I am really excited for. I went and got my pizza and also sat down to some sweetwater IPA which I got at Ingles and is one of my favorite beers. The pizza was really filling and I only ate two and a half slices from a 10" pizza and saved the rest for breakfast. The pizza had about an inch of cheese and toppings above the crust which was great. I got sausage, pepperoni, onions, and green peppers. The rest of the night everyone just hung out until around midnight and then went to bed. I had a great time actually relaxing with other hikers and everyone is real friendly and non-judgmental towards each other. I considered a zero tomorrow as so many people I was with were going to, but I might just do a late start instead. I also talked to my Grandmother who had her 81st birthday and she was in NC with Rory, Aunt Laurie, Sarah, Jon, and Isaac. It sounded like she was having a good time which is great and apparently Isaac's 1st B-day is coming up. My Aunt Laurie said she would be able to drop something off in Hot Springs, NC for me which is very good to know because I knew she was close to the trail but I wasn't sure which spot was most convenient for her. I had a great time at Cloud 9. All the people were nice and the hosts Crutch, Frank, and Laura were incredibly hospitable. I hope if I'm ever back that the place is the same and still open.