Date: 2014-04-25
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

   So I ended up not actually going to sleep until 330 since we were talking from our beds. I was typing up entries until midnight and thought I might sleep after that but we weren't tired anymore. And these were actual comfy beds we could've gotten good sleep on. But our conversations were great and I really enjoyed talking as usual. It was just nice being the only ones there so we were reflecting a bit on that too.    When I got up, I called my mom and actually caught her at a good time, on a bus to Venice. We only talked for a short while because of the long distance cost and I had to get ready for breakfast. They rang a bell for us outside the eating area which was a really neat thing. It was such a cute set up in there with a blueberry tablecloth and our place settings out with some orange juice. Ben got a full array of things to eat - pancakes with blueberry syrup, cheese biscuits, scrambled eggs. I really enjoyed what they made for me though - two hash browns and a big bowl of oatmeal with apples, walnuts, and flax seeds. It was so delicious. We joined hands to pray before eating (it's a Christian ministry type of thing) and dug in. There was a cat in the doorway on the other side that was staring at us through the glass and then actually leapt up onto it and hung there for a bit. It was pretty hilarious and I managed to get a photo. We chatted with them while the two of us ate. They're incredibly nice people and I just loved the accommodations so I'm extremely happy we stayed there. I somehow finished my carton of chocolate almond milk and my extra banana on the car ride back. I was stuffed.    We stretched when we got to the road crossing and took out our rain gear. The clouds were dark in some spots but moving quickly so we weren't sure what would happen. Ben grabbed a poncho tarp thing for me from the hiker box that he said he's used before so I'm gonna hold onto that and test it out and maybe it'll replace my rain jacket and pack cover. But I used my other stuff today and by the time I got to the top of our first climb which was fairly quickly, I was dying from the stale, humid air so I took my pants off and just had my skirt on. After a bit, the rain jacket came off too. It was warm enough that if it actually rained (we only felt a few drops randomly), I wouldn't be cold, so all that extra clothing wasn't necessary.    The hike was tough. I definitely had around 32lbs at least from resupplying. It was hard on my legs. They just dragged along. Ben's pack was lighter but still heavy compared to before so he was struggling too. We stopped after four miles at Plumorchard Gap Shelter and hung out there for a couple hours, considering if we should hike on or not, but the weather was beautiful, just windy, so we didn't stay. While there though, we explored the three-story shelter which had some funny quotes and things written on it. And the whole thing was transported there by an army helicopter! We ate a bunch of snacks and just lounged around since we were comfortable. Soon, Joe came. Joe is the guy I kept thinking was named Bill. We talked to him for a few and then left the shelter after 2 and trudged along. The uphills were just killing us. We took it slow and for awhile I was really excited that we'd be crossing the border into NC. But by 415 or so, the smile left my face and I was just dying to get there, thinking we must be close but still having to push on. It was only another four miles or so but it felt like more. I saw the edge of the sign from a few feet away and of course the excitement came back. We finally made it!   It's such a weird feeling thinking about how we're done with Georgia. I know it's a short state but it's still a great accomplishment and awesome to say! I thought our final destination of camping was a mile past there but we soon came across a group of weekenders with tents set up. We walked a little further to where this really cool old, twisted tree is in the middle of the trail and saw that the trail goes right up a big mountain after that. We checked the book and I was wrong, it was 0.1 miles past the border so that was the right camping area. We set up our tents and I got out my hummus and tortillas. I was really hungry and I loved being able to eat that. I also had unfrosted brown sugar cinnamon PopTarts for the first time ever and they were actually delicious. They're such a sugary flavor that it still tastes sweet without the icing so I'm happy about that.    The guys near us are amusing. They're all older and used to live in Jacksonville but are still kinda near each other so they got together for the weekend. A few of the guys were playing target golf and it was hilarious. They would pick a "hole", set a par and go. One guy got his ball in the stream and when he tried to hit it out, water splashed up, it quickly hit a tree in front of him and bounced way back in the wrong direction. It made me think of disc golf a lot. I miss it.    After eating and settling in, I just felt really out if it. The lack of sleep is definitely hitting me. It'll be a good night's sleep. I'm just glad it didn't rain and I hope it doesn't rain overnight! I need rest. Ben showed me again how to hang my food bag and it was a lot easier to learn in good weather. I was able to do it all on my own! Then we went quickly to see the sunset down an old path which I think caused us to technically walk back into Georgia. It was an unreal display. The sun was so big and the colors were layered perfectly again but this time, yellow and orange glowed the strongest to me. A few clouds cut through the sky and in front of the sun at times and the sun slid down behind a mountain in the distance. The surrounding mountains had a gorgeous glow on them from it. Can't get over how often we get to see perfect sunsets. Wouldn't trade it for anything. After that we sat by the fire that those guys made. But only stayed until a little after 9 so I could get a lot of sleep! They were nice and asked us a lot of questions about the trail, out favorite parts and whatnot. They had funny stories of their own too. Good evening with new people.