Date: 2003-06-07
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Today was a good day despite the rain. As I got to the shelter last evening it started to rain, and it rained with heavy winds all night. I prayed about 5:00 this morning that it would let up for our time of getting ready, and it slowed to a drizzle around 6:00 and began to rain slowly again about 7:00. The first climb was Clingman¢s Dome, highest point on the entire Appalachian Trail. I was sloshing through running water and puddles all day. The AT, being a slight depression from the traffic, and about 18 inches wide, makes a great water course for runoff. I heard the sound of small waterfalls all day as the rain swelled the path and the decidedly up and down terrain gave many places for water to tumble over the rocks. My feet were soaked the entire day and my boots sloshed and squished with each step. Clingman¢s Dome has a huge concrete tower on a single pedestal with a long spiral ramp to walk up. It was completely fogged in and raining hard so I had no views at all ¢ really none all day. The next climb from Clingman¢s Dome was Mount Collins. This was a very difficult, steep, rocky climb, made more treacherous by heavy rains and walking upstream of the torrents from ever heavier downpours. We intended to stop at Mount Collins Shelter for lunch, down the far side of the mountain, but the shelter was located 12 mile downhill off the trail. No way I was going to add that much mileage and elevation gain to my day. I waited for Al and we ate at the junction of the shelter trail in a very cold rain, huddled up in our rain jackets. Then we headed for Newfound Gap. That was another long sloshing walk, but I made good time and got there around 2:15. The rain let up while I sat on the stone wall and rested, wrung out my socks, and talked with passers by. A main state road goes through the gap and there were many people around. They would come by and shake my hand, ask about my hike and the usual questions about bears, snakes, what I eat, how far do I walk each day, where I sleep, etc. An older man and his grandson talked with me for awhile, and I asked if there was a concession stand in the gap, thinking there might be a place selling hot dogs or maybe a vending machine area since there was such a big crowd around. They said no, and moved on after wishing me good luck. A very nice family from Louisiana was parked in a van directly behind the wall I was sitting on. The lady jumped out of the van and asked if I would like a bologna sandwich, which I hurriedly accepted. She must have overheard my question about the concession stand. She began to ask if I wanted white or wheat, mustard, mayo, cheese, etc. I told her that anything she put together would be perfect! She made the sandwich on white bread, with mayo and mustard, and gave me a bag with corn chips, and two chocolate chip cookies, plus a can of root beer. I was in heaven after all that freeze-dried food and Rice-A-Roni. It was absolutely fantastic. When Al arrived they gave him the same treatment. A T-bone steak, baked potato, and salad would not have tasted any better. We were very appreciative. Soon two vans emptied out, and we were surrounded by two moms, two dads, and several children, all asking questions about our hike and marveling at this new concept of hiking long distances on the trail, which they had never heard of, or were pulling up from distant memories. We attracted a larger crowd as this conversation continued, and we got a picture with the families before we and they had to leave. Altogether a great experience. I was refreshed and motivated for the next section of the hike. As we prepared to go it started to rain again and this caused many tourists to scramble, pausing to look at us as we just walked on. I had a very tough climb out of the gap for almost two miles. It was a boulder-strewn trail with treacherous footing and the quick flowing stream of runoff coming at me from above. I arrived here at Icewater Spring Shelter around 5:00. So far Al and I are the only occupants. I have eaten and done my evening chores and am settling in for the night. This was day three, and I think I am getting in the groove. It should have been a discouraging day with all the rain, no views and some tough hiking, but I feel good and finished strong. I can¢t get cell phone service from here, and did not want to expose the phone to the rain today so I have not been able to talk with Marlene. I find myself regularly wondering what she is doing, and hoping/praying everything is ok. I miss her when we are apart but being apart helps me to love and appreciate her more. I plan to read in the New Testament some and then turn in for the night. Goodnight Sweetheart. dp