Date: 2013-03-10
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap-Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 11.0

It was a beautiful morning when I left Tray Mountain, windy, but sunny and cool. I was last out from the group I mentioned yesterday. Taking my tent down in heavy wind was a first for me. It wanted to blow away. I walked by myself all day. My first day on the trail to walk entirely alone; it was good. A little dark-eye junco hopped along side me on the trail for a short distance before he flew up into the tree. Of course, I was passed by a number of people. I also met a few young people hiking in the opposite direction. I had planned to stop for the night at Deep Gap Shelter but rain was in the forecast for the next day and I decided to hike on past it. The climb up Kelly Knob was brutal. The first man who passed me about a third of the way up, asked if I was OK and when I said, yes, he replied are you sure? He didn't have a trail name but he was Sean from New Hampshire. The young guys from the shelter the night before passed me and told me I was about 1/2 way up Kelly Knob- that was good to hear. About 30 min. past Deep Gap Shelter I met a coule from Blairsville, GA who were out for a day hike to the shelter. We talked for a short time. They asked me if I was OK - I was moving slowly and I'm sure my face was really red. I said, yes. I was headed to Dick's Creek Gap and asked them which way I should head on the highway because I was going to spend the night at Blueberry Patch Hostel. They told me to turn left. Then the wife said if I wanted to wait at the gap, they would give me a ride to the hostel when they finished their hike. One of my fears is hitch hiking and here was a wonderful offer and I wouldn't have to hitch hike. As I contined down the trail. A man passed me who looked like a trail runner with trekking poles. We exchanged a greeting and he asked if I was a thru-hiker. I was so tired, I replied presently I am but at this point I'm not sure how much longer. He offered words of encouragement and said this was a tough section of the trail and I would make it. Another man passed me and said I had about 1 more mile to go before I reached the highway... oh, buddy, I knew I had to make it but I was moving even slower. After about 30 min. the runner man came back and asked if he could carry my pack and give me a ride wherever I needed to go. I declined the offer to carry my pack because I told him I couldn't make it to Maine without carrying it. I accepted his offer of the ride and then realized I knew nothing about him. I asked his name and he said Vernon Dixon and we talked a little as we walked to his car. He has hiked parts of the Appalachian Trial and his trail name is Tofu man because that's what he eats. I was saved from hitchhiking. He's vegetarian on the trail. So you know, he's a slim and trim man. He took me to Blueberry Patch Hostel and Garry welcomed me and showed me around and to my bunk. What a wonderful experience. Met so many wonderful young people staying the night. Donny from New York, Andrew from Griffin, GA - just down the road from me. I'm drawing a blank on the others - one young man is hiking the trail and is headed to Med School afterwards. He's from Florida. We were served a wonderful breakfast and Gary's wife Lennie, is just as sweet as Gary. We were welcomed to their dinner table and served scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, cheese biscuits, and pancakes. Orange juice and coffeee were also served. Before we ate, we joined hands and Gary offered a beautiful prayer. When I called from Powell Mt. to see if there was room for me Gary said I could have the couch. When I arrived be said after my call, a man called to cancel and that's how I got the bottom bunk and not the couch. Blueberry Patch Hostel was holy ground for me.