Date: 2006-03-04
From: Neels Gap, Ga

To: Unicoi Gap, Ga
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

20.0 miles todayMy last night at home for 7 monthsUnicoi Gap, GaDay #4This photo was taken today. Can you believe I have to look at this crap all day long....everyday day. :-)))I woke up at 4:30am and decided to put the coffee on. I cooked some eggs and sausage...still trying to use up the food I have left here at home.I tried unsuccessfully to upload a smiley face for the end of my journal entries.Wild Hare had sent me one I liked, but it would only show the URL text, so I emailed her to see what I was doing wrong.It was 21 degrees out when I left here this morning to drive up to Neels Gap and pick up Heald.He rode with me to Unicoi Gap and then drove my truck back to Neels Gap so I would have it when I walked in there today.It was chilly, but it was great walking weather. The first climb up Blue Mountain warmed me right up.I got to watch the sun come up over Rocky Mountain as I was climbing.I got to Blue Mountain Shelter and stopped to sign the register. Bags was the first nobo thru hiker I saw today. He said he slept cold there last night. I've never stayed there, but I've heard the wind blows right through that area alot.We talked a while, then I walked on.I was really enjoying the walk this morning. I felt very comfortable, then I realized why...I was walking south!!! :-)))Even the guide book was easy to read again because I was going in the "right" direction. Ha!!I ran into Abandon and Bluebird. I think they were enjoying the morning as much as I was.I ran into Thomas just south of Cold Spring Gap. He was still carrying the snowshoes, so it looks like we're going to continue having nice weather. :-)))I knew I was going to run into some nobo's today, but I didn't know I would run into so many.I'm going to just list most of them now; Swiss Miss, Happy Feet, D-Rock, Ceyenne Steve (he's the one I thought was something Cheese the other day).Just before I got to Low Gap Shelter, I ran into 6 GATC volunteers cutting up some blow downs. Thanks guys!!I ran into John on the climb out of Low Gap.He was the guy I saw struggling up Blood Mountain the other day with a way too heavy backpack.Winton had tuckerized his pack and got rid of over 20 pounds.John was carrying 23 pounds and had a big smile on his face. He was enjoying the walk now that it wasn't so hard. We talked about 10 minutes before I walked on.I have to say it again, when the new hikers get to Neels Gap and Winton goes through their heavy packs to get rid of un-needed stuff, it's got to make a big difference in how many hikers stay on the trail...Thanks Winton!!Next, I saw Sourdough and Sidewinder. I got an email from someone this morning that was worried about them. She asked how they looked when I saw them at Gooch Gap and I told her they were in baaaaaaad shape then, well they were even worse now. Ha!!! ;-)))I ran into Steve just north of Hog Pen Gap. He left Amicalola the same morning I did. He's now going by the name of Superman, but he was having some tendonitis problems. He said he was going to zero at Blueberry Patch.Cedar Mo, Scout, Silver Streak and Just Rick were laying in the sunshine at Hog Pen Gap. It was out of the wind and very warm there. We talked for a while, then I climbed Wildcat Mountain and ran into Snakebit, Norwoody and Bear.I walked down to Tesnatee Gap, then climbed Cowrock Mountain. I ran into Bluebell, Cookie and Buchwacker on the way up.Hey Mrs Bushwacker....has Bushwacker ever been away from home this long before?? He told me I looked good....not that there's anything wrong with that. ;-)))I ran into Jolly Green Giant on Cowrock Mountain, then Compass and Home Brew.I walked for a while, then ran into Turtle M and Turtle D. They had a message for me from Chief.I was just wondering how all these new hikers were getting sooooo far ahead of him and Xmas.The answer to Chief is; Carlene made those brownies for ME!!!I saw Jeff next. He didn't seem to be having a good day. Hope that changes for you Jeff.At the top of Levelland Mountain, I ran into Krispie and Janitor. They were just out playing around. They're planning on walking the PCT this year.Johnny and Pat are now Arangatang and Stinky...much easier to remember trail names.I last saw them near Long Creek Falls. They seem to be doing well and having fun.I walked into Neels Gap shortly after 2pm. I saw my truck sitting there. Heald saw me coming and gave me my keys.Thanks Heald, that makes it much easier for me to get some things done today, so I can walk away from my home for the next 7 months.Apple Pie came over and we all talked a while.I went in the outfitter and saw they were very busy today, so I told Winton that I'd see him tonight over at his house.I stopped in the hostel before I left and was glad I did...Mickey One Sock was there. We ended up talking about 20 minutes before I drove down the mountain to my home.I ate some stuff I needed to use up, checked email, then took a short nap. That didn't help me get ready to leave in the morning, but I wanted to rest up for the feeding over at Winton's tonight.I started writing my journal entry for today when I heard a horn. It was Alpine driving a cargo van full of hikers heading for Winton's. I said I would be over shortly. I wanted to take my truck, so I didn't stay out too late.9:50pm I just got back...had a great time and got to see lots of hikers and all the guys that work at the outfitter over at Winton's home.I also got to see Margie, Winton's wife, who I haven't seen in a few years.It was Winton's 40th birthday party although nobody told me about that. They just wanted me to come over to help eat the food. I think I ate the whole time I was there. :-)))The days are always lived to the fullest when you are walking a long trail...that's part of the reason I love this life so much.