Date: 2014-03-18
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.7

After a rejuvenating day and night at the Holiday Inn which included a hot Sysco breakfast, The Rock, Anna and I took a shuttle ride back to Unicoi Gap to resume hiking. I have heard about sketchy rides on the trail, and this shuttle ride did not disappoint. The driver got us there safely, but his girlfriend who was riding shotgun, was either stoned, drunk or both, with an open beer bottle at her side, this at 9:30 in the morning! The antics of the girlfriend coupled with the bantering between The Rock and our driver was quite entertaining. You had to have been there, but The Rocks retelling of the story over last night's campfire had everyone laughing. The Rock has a great sense of humor. When we got to the trail we met back up with Truck who had also stayed at the Holiday Inn. He, Anna, and The Rock hike faster than I, so they headed out first and I hiked the whole day by myself. I met up with 1 SOBO (south bounder) and played leapfrog all day with Ely and Rachel. I hadn't seen them in a few days. Ely had helped me bear bag my food at Lance Creek where there were no bear cables. The rain was steady when we first hit the trail. It rained on and off all day and probably did not get much above 50 degrees. I'd have to describe the trail as mucky. Going downhill I had to take my time to avoid slipping in the mud and wet leaves. The first shelter was only 5.7 miles down the trail. I was feeling strong after my nero day and night in the hotel, so stopped briefly to get water and wolf down some beef jerky. It was too cold all day to stop for more than 5 minute breaks. It was the kind of day you have to watch out for hypothermia. I had on 5 top layers and did fine. The uphills left me winded, but raised my core temperature and kept my hands warm even without gloves. The next shelter was 7.4 miles ahead, farther than I really wanted to go, but decided I needed to push to get there. With everything wet, and it being cold at night, I wanted to stay in a shelter last night, not pitch my tent. I was exhausted by the time I got to the shelter. It was a 13.1 mile day. Mile 12 was a steady uphill, unrelenting. I just kept trudging. Thank you David Bidler for telling me to have Pocket Fuel with me. I took some at mile 11 and it helped. I got to the shelter at 6:00, set up my sleeping gear on the 2nd floor loft, made a delicious Mountain House lasagna dinner, and crashed. It was so damp and cold all I wanted to do was get into my sleeping bag. My sleep system is very warm, and lying horizontal after fighting gravity all day, feels wonderful. I got my first hot spot on my big toe. In put a blister bandaid on it this morning and did fine on the 3.9 mile trek to get to Dicks Creek Gap. Anna, The Rock and I got up at 6:00 this am. It is still dark at that hour in the south so I had to use my headlamp to pack up. We needed to hit the trail early, so we could catch a 9:30 shuttle to The Blueberry Patch Hostel. I am writing this journal entry from a couch in the warm bunk house. This hostel is legend on the trail, a must stay. Gary, the owner has already done my laundry. The hostel is cozy (wood stove), rustic, and retro. I am once again showered and shaved. I have a bottom bunk for the night and Gary and his wife will be serving us one of the best breakfasts on the trail tomorrow morning. Carl sent a mail drop here. Opening the box reminds me of opening a Christmas package when I was a kid, sent by out of town relatives.Gary is very attentive. He has checked on us several times already. So far we are the only hikers here. There are bunks for 12. Later he will give us a ride into Hiawassee where we plan on having dinner at the AYCE (all you can eat buffet). Yesterday was a test to see if I am cut out to be a thru-hiker. The answer is a resounding yes! I am loving all that is the AT. Enough for now.