Date: 2019-02-26
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap shelter 
Miles today: 7.4

Tuesday was a strong day! Maybe I¢m getting my mountain legs?Today¢s miles 7.4 miles with the anticipation of a ¢Nero¢ a mere 3.6 miles to Top of Georgia hiking center tomorrow.I woke up alone on Tray Mountain around 7 a.m , actually it¢s not like a deep sleep, I sleep in segments I get tired on one side flip to my back and then to my other side. I need to introduce sleeping on my stomach into the rotation.Every one else planned to make the 11 miles to Dicks Creek Gap and enjoy the Top of Georgia hiking center asap. They offer thru hiker gear, full resupply options, bunk and shower, which for $35.00 includes free C breakfast and use of kitchen.They wash your clothes for 7.00 per load. Sunshine and Bluegrass are actually going to take a zero at a hotel with a hot tub which sounds great ! Yay for them!!I chose to hit another shelter tonight and enjoy this marvelous weather, also I¢m still trying to keep my miles low. So far the strategy is working no excessive pains!It was very nice to have the whole mountain sunrise view to myself. I heated up water for my oatmeal and Starbucks Via instant coffee. The coffee is actually pretty good.Oh btw I ran out of fuel last night as I was cooking supper , luckily Bluegrass gave me his canister as he was getting off trail today.Before I left,I fiddled with my pack , I finally have it dialed down to my liking so many adjustments on this pack it really is fantastic.I hiked all day by myself I did see a lady camping by herself with a large pit bull companion, it made me miss my four legged son Reagan. He¢s a Min Pin that rescued us several years ago. The hike had three very good climbs with the last one Kelly¢s knob being the toughest.When I got to the base there was a GO HALO message written in sticks on the ground . The work of Sunshine and Bluegrass no doubt, they are so awesome and I miss them already. It¢s almost like I have know them a lifetime. That first week of bad weather and adversity gave us all a common bond young and old.I decided to eat my lunch prior to tackling this climb Tuna Creations on soft taco wrap very tasty.I was making my way up when out of nowhere this young man asked if he could pass, I about jumped out of my skin he was so silent . We introduced ourselves and I would see him again tonight at the shelter site. When I finally arrived he had his tent up and settling in for the night. Shortly after I arrived another young man showed up. They had both slept at Blue mountain the night before and bypassed Tray Mnt where I was at.Ahh to be young and strong!Turns out Rebel was at the shelter with them last night , and they did not think he was hurting .That was great news.Neither of the two young men had trail names yet . I suggested Stealth for the quiet hiker that scared me earlier, And get this , the second one is a student at Notre Dame and he¢s taking the semester off however he¢s brought his physics book with him to study. He rejected Einstein, Professor, etc but is warming up to the name ....Physics!I¢m so talented at naming people lol. So at every shelter people sign in and leave notes to others behind. Physics left an equation and will start leaving physics problems for others to solve! I bet they can too, I¢ve been amazed at all the smart ,bright, intelligent young people I have met.Maybe I¢m not crazy after all! But sadly I don¢t do physics.