Date: 2006-03-19
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

***Quick note that I missed yesterday. We met a hiker named Heald. He's hiked the AT 7 times with his dog (trail name wonderdog). Really interesting guy. Wears a hiking kilt and makes it look good. The dog is a red lab looking dog that's 13 years old.We woke at 6 and make a quick exit from the Tray Mtn shelter by 7. Our EBAG training is still intact! We hiked over several long climbs and finally dropped into Dicks creek gap - the road crossing at which we were to try to hitch into the Blueberry patch. When we got there, Healed, Chou Chou and Hindsfeet were sitting with a section hiker. He had offered them a ride and extended it to us as well. Within minutes we were at the Blueberry patch.The blueberry patch is a Christian hostel run by Gary and Lynnie Poteat. They are a wonderful couple with a small house, a bunkhouse 2 donkeys and a couple of goats. They run the hostel totally off of donations as a christian outreach. When we arrived, Lynnie gave us clothesbaskets and told us to put our dirty clothes in it and she would wash them. She said "Jesus said we should serve and this is just one of the ways I want to serve you. No registration, no driver¢s license. Just show up dirty and hungry and they put you up, clean your clothes and feed you breakfast.After a shower and some organization, we headed to town, which is about 5 miles away. It took a while to hitch a ride this time, but we finally had a nice man who was bringing his son to work in town pick us up. At dinner, we met up with Goliath, chou chou and Hindsfeet. They were heading to Sunday night church so we tagged along. We were quite a novelty at the McConnell Baptist church. Everyone wanted to meet us and ask questions. They had us stand up and introduce ourselves. One man told me some tales while waiting for the service to start. The wildest one included a Mynah bird that he put under his house to keep it cool. The bird was "eaten by a snake and then spit back out". I think I would be a bit nervous living in that house.After we returned from town, we had a lively discussion with the girls and Tarpinatorr and O2BeeHiking. Oh To Be is a 70ish guy that¢s an ultra marathoner. He's even done the western states 100. Wow.Well - more tomorrow....Trail humor: What's the difference between homeless people and Thru-Hikers? Gore TexFrom CoyotebecWe spent our 1st night in a shelter last night - it was great! We slept well and I think we stayed a bit warmer. The biggest advantage though was getting ready in the morning - it was so much quicker and easier. We woke early and were able to watch the sunrise - there was agorgeous blood red sky greeting the new day.The early start meant that we were hiking by ourselves which was nice. We enjoy Pi, but he can start to wear on you - grunting and groaning up the hills - I like to just get it done. He also kept talking of the difficulties to come. I just don't like to prepare myself that way.I have been a little discouraged over my lack of introspectiveness and reading (I was hoping to get so much of this done). John and I talked about it and really we are just starting. Every morning and evening it is cold and we are still trying to get used to things. Time for these things will come - it just may be down the road a bit. My inner hamstring and around my knee has been bothering me. I feel like I need a rest day. Considering tomorrow is floodforecast and very cold - it may be tomorrow.Today the hiking was not as strenuous - the mountains may be getting taller. We covered 10 miles by noon - that is the benefit of an early start. We got to the road crossing and were offered a ride inthe back of a pickup truck. We crammed in with ChouChou, Hindsfeet , Healed and his dog, John, myself, and all our gear. We dropped Healed off at Cloud 9 hostel and we all went down to the Blueberry Patch. It was a super cute bunkhouse which sleeps 7. O2behiking and Tarpinator joined us and the girls for the night. We went down to Hiawasie to grocery shop and eat at Daniels Steakhouse. Goliath walked in and ate with us. The girls showed up too. We all decided to go to the Wednesday night service at McConnell Memorial Baptist Church - talk about Old Fashion. They were glad to have us.