Date: 2009-04-23
From: Camping Site just before Spivey Gap, NC

To: Camping Site just before Spivey Gap, NC
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

I slept so good last night in my tent. The ground is much softer than the wood floors of the shelters. The camping spot was sheltered from the wind and we were at a lower elevation making the night feel warmer. The tent is also quieter without all the night noises of the other hikers. Hopefully, the weather improves and I can tent out more often. I usually choose to sleep in a shelter (if I can get a spot) if it is supposed to rain or is extremely cold. FlyBy and Wheeler showed up late last night after a really long day and tented with us. They ate, got water and hit the hay quickly. The chirping birds were the last thing I heard before falling asleep and the first thing I heard when waking in the morning. Very pleasant sounds. Tanglefoot and I wanted to try to get an early start this morning to get to Erwin by early afternoon. We both had to get water before leaving camp. I hooked up my filter to my water bladder and was pumping and pumping, but the bladder wasn't filling. Tanglefoot was like did you open your valve (I have a open/close valve on my mouth piece because without it I was always pouring water all over myself when I put on my pack.). Nope, it was in the off position. Ha. I told him I liked to hike early in the morning, but I'm not really awake that early. After I finally got my water, we headed out about 7:30. It looked to be beautiful weather. The sun hadn't come over the mountains, but the sky was clear. Not a cloud in sight. Yeah!!! The trail soon went up and Tanglefoot was out ahead. I passed a beautiful little waterfall and I stopped to take a picture. When I looked behind me there was Yak! The Yak-man caught up to me. I didn't hear him approach because of the noise of the waterfall, so I was very surprised to see him just a few feet behind me. We hiked and talked as we went up the mountain. Tanglefoot had also hiked with Yak, so when we caught up to Tanglefoot at the top of the mountain there was much catching up to do. It was kind of level after the summit, so we hiked together and chatted for a few miles. When we hit another uphill, Tanglefoot was gone. Yak had camped with Circuit Rider and Sherlock last night, so I was expecting them to fly by at Mach speed at any moment. I was so surprised to see Sherlock out front and walking a somewhat normal pace. They said it was because the weather was nice, so no need to rush. I've lost track of how many times they have passed me. We all met up at the No Business Knob Shelter for a snack and break. I finally had a short conversation and took pictures of Circuit Rider and Sherlock. It is the first time I've seen them in nice weather. Wheeler also showed up and he walked with Tanglefoot to town while Yak and I brought up the rear. It was a nice trail today with a few ups and one long down. Going down for a long distance is hard in its own way, because I always feel like I have the brakes on. The downs can be as steep as the ups are and it makes the knees a bit sore. I've also developed two blisters, one on each heel, which seems odd after being on the trail for so long. I have a callus on both heels and have no idea why they formed. Of well, guess it had to happen sooner or later. We had some great views of the town of Erwin as we came down the mountain. We also hiked down into Spring again. Bliss!We made it to Uncle Johnny's hostel about one, picked up our mail drop, got a cabin (the three of us are sharing), shower and did our laundry. Typical town stuff. Erwin is a bigger town, so we have to rely on shuttles to do our running. Until then, we sat out at the picnic table and talked to other hikers, ate pizza and just relaxed. I don't have cell service at the hostel (major bummer), but had service while on the shuttled town run. I was able to talk to Mark the Fabulous briefly. Not long enough though. I don't plan on taking a zero here. There is a short breakfast shuttle run in the morning and then Tanglefoot and I will be heading back to the trail. Yak is taking a zero. It is quiet here at the hostel tonight and hopefully a loud party doesn't break out later tonight.