Date: 2006-04-29
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Off to an early start at 7:00 am this morning into Erwin, TN. About a mile from the shelter I spotted a doe on the side of the trail and proceeded to walk right up beside her. It is very uncommon to get this close to a live deer but after a little observation convinced myself that she was blind. From about 15 feet away she made no reaction to movements that I made but when I made a few sounds she quickly adjusted and tuned into where I was standing. I watched her for a few minutes and then proceeded on into town. I caught up with Scarecrow and we hiked together down to the Nolichucky River next to Uncle Johnny¢s Hostel where H-Bomb, Shasta, Scarecrow, and I caught a ride for a dollar each over to Miss Janet¢s House. When we got there the place was absolutely packed with hikers. They were finishing up breakfast out in the backyard with 16-18 hikers in attendance. They welcomed us all in and invited us to grab a bite to eat with them. They shared the potato pancakes, eggs, cinnamon rolls, and juice that was left. We sat down to eat and caught up with a few old time friends that we haven¢t seen in a while. After eating and helping with the dishes we were off to the post office. Since the post office was only a few blocks away and open from 10-12 today a few of us walked over to pick up our boxes. I had sent a bounce box with a few supplies from Hot Springs and in return decided to send a few things home. When I got there I ran into Salt and Pepper #1, Salt and Pepper #2, Baltimore, Lincoln, Genie, Rip, Holly, and Jen. It was a busy place but most of all really cool to see so many familiar faces while in town. After stopping by Miss Janet¢s house to drop off a few things several of us took a trip up to Pizza Hut for lunch. It is always dangerous for a bunch of hungry hikers to walk into a buffet and today was no different. We finished and walked next door to the grocery store for supplies and a chocolate cake before catching a hitch back to Miss Janet¢s in a classic low rider pick up truck. The truck was dragging the ground and I believe had parts falling off of it on the way down main street. Back at Miss Janet¢s I got in touch with Jane and Baro and they invited me stay with them at the Holiday Inn Express on the other side of town. Miss Janet offered me a ride and while in the process we all decided to meet up for dinner later that night. She dropped me off at the Hotel and the guy instinct kicked it. There had been a car show earlier in the day and the parking lot was full of old model-A fords. I just had to go prowl for a while. Later after a shower and a quick nap Miss Janet showed back up with about 15 people in the big yellow van to pick Jane, Baro, and I up for a Mexican dinner over in Johnson City. The ride in the big yellow bus was an experience not to be forgotten. At dinner we took up the entire back room with Tina, Jeremy, H-Bomb, Shasta, Baro, Jane, Miles, Slim, Sage, So-Live, Corey, River Weasel, Miss Janet, myself and River Weasel¢s Parents. To make things even better River¢s Parents picked up the tab as a little Tail Magic gift to all of us. Those guys were awesome! After an exciting trip to Wal-Mart where I bought a rubber duck it was back to the Holiday Inn Express for the night. Before settling in we checked our email and washed a few loads of cloths before calling it a night.Tonight at the Holiday Inn: Jangles, Baro, and I