Date: 2007-05-07
From: Nolichucky River - Erwin, TN

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: clear sky

May 7, New Shoes!Today was a great day. It started off great because I got to sleep in. I woke up and headed to the Super 8 lobby for breakfast - four slices of toast with strawberry jelly, one bowl of Cheerios, and some OJ. After that, it was time to get ready for our shuttle to the outfitter in Johnson City.Tim showed up around 11 a.m. and we headed to Mahoney's. What a great place. There, we met Dana, our shoe specialist. She cared so much about our tired, achy feet that they actually felt safe. She asked us to talk to her about our foot problems, problems with our current shoes, and our insoles. She measured my feet, felt around a bit, and then brought out a smorgasboard of shoes. We tried on just about everything in the store. As it turns out, the arch in my right foot has dropped a bit like I suspected and has widened my foot. I was worried I might not be able to find a match as I didn't want Gore-Tex and they really had a lot of it. I tried on over a dozen pairs of shoes. Finally, I decided on the Montrail Odyssey. They have great arch support, a sturdier bottom than my other Montrails, and more mesh for the warm weather. I added my Spenco insoles and my feet smiled up at me happily embracing their new home. I walked out excited to hit the trail and test them out. I had 33! 8 miles on my Vitesse shoes and I probably could have gotten new shoes a little earlier.Tim brought us back to the hotel so we could drop off our old shoes and then he took us to Sonic for lunch. Probably the most disgusting lunch ever - a chili dog footlong. I don't know why that ever sounded good to me but it tasted like chunky BBQ sauce. Ew. I definitely appreciated Tim running us all around the past few days. It's like he's become our personal chauffer.We went over to Miss Janet's and hopped in the van for our shuttle to Indian Grave Gap. We'd be slackpacking with Hangman and Just Jack today - and Miss Janet's dog, Fabian. We got to the trail at 2:20 p.m. and took a few photos before we got started. It was another perfect day - sunny and warm. We were hiking southbound today - which would have not fired me up a few weeks ago but now I just don't care about - so we started up a teeny tiny hill and then pretty much walked on almost level ground for most for most of the hike. We had a small climb in the last mile of our hike.The trail was beautiful today. Lots of streams (which I obviously love since I'm always convinced it's a beautiful day when there are streams). Lots and lots of rhododendron and mountain laurel. Lots of pine needles. Lots of people. Hangman and Fabian led me, then Certain, then Just Jack. We took several short rests where great views could be found - some in the middle of the trail, some near streams. The smells were amazing - so fresh. And best of all? My feet felt great. My arches felt supported and my feet didn't ache like they have been. So nice!We took our time and made it to the Nolichucky around 6 p.m. We waited for the shuttle at Uncle Johnny's. Hangman had finished before us and had already gone home with Miss Janet to grap another car. He came to get us with Krispy Kremes in tow. I ate three on the way to dinner.I ate at the local Chinese restaurant for dinner which was surprisingly delicious. I was there with Hangman, Just Jack, and J. Silverheel. I had shrimp with fresh vegetables in brown sauce with steamed rice. And two fortune cookies and hot tea. It was a good time. Just Jack shared with me his announcement that he is currently campaigning for president. He said the campaign has been slow to catch on but the brass bands are coming soon. I was even promised a position in the Cabinet! Campaign updates can be found by searching TrailJournals.com for Just Jack.I'm back at the inn now all cleaned up and tired. Today was a good day - I might finally be feeling renewed!I've also recieved a ton of great advice and inspiration from a 2006 thru-hiker, Chardonnay, so I owe her a HUGE thank you. Great words of wisdom. Thank you, Chardonnay!- Sound of the hotel fan, TV, sound of Certain moving her feet on her ice pack.