Date: 2018-04-26
From: Clingmans Dome Parking area

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up early this morning after a poor night of sleep. Me and Papa Big Swig chose the complimentary hotel breakfast. Papa Big Swig says they only have an 85% rating from the sanitation department. I guess that¢s not so great. But hey I drink from creeks, so I took my chances. It was just a bowl of cereal and some OJ for me. Then I ate half of Papa Big Swigs biscuit. Today I was a slackpacker. That means I could keep a good pace, struggle much less on the ups, and other thru-hikers were a little envious. I really do feel bad when others ask if I¢m a day hiker and I have to say no I¢m a lucky slackpacker on a thru-hike. I do know how fortunate I am! We all need a Papa Big Swig in our lives. The first 15 minutes of my hike were with overcast skies, but no rain! Then as usual the rains came. This seems to be the norm in the Smokies. By mile #3 I was emotionally resigned to the idea of another wet day. I had prepared myself with better rain gear this time. Proper planning pays! There were no winds either, so my mood was not hindered.  The best thing about today was a continuous fragrance of evergreens. Ahhhhh! It sounds crazy, but that smell is such a good feeling! It¢s possible for a smell to be a feeling, right? I also saw some small wildlife. A couple of baby squirrels, and a chipmunk, lots of birds, and another turkey. Every day I see a turkey or two.  My hike was mostly down today. Woohoo! The trail has not yet recovered from this week¢s torrential downpours. I was hiking in either a mud trail or a creek trail most of the time. Except during the few ups. So yes my boots are soaked again. I ate some snacks on the move today. No real lunch break needed. I felt good as far as calories go. Pretty sure the 10lb pack and very few ups had a lot to do with that.  A hiker named Power caught up to me about midway through. We hiked together a little over a mile before she left me in the dust...or mud as it were. She¢s 34 years old from Michigan. When I heard her talk I knew she didn¢t live too far from Illinois. It was a small taste of the good old midwest home I love! Anyway, she has blister issues too. A few days ago she changed her footwear to trail runners by Brooks. She¢s a whole lot better now.  I still have one blister that¢s being stubborn. Foot care is a grueling part of my daily routine. So Papa Big Swig found a Merrell outlet in Seveirville. I now own some trail runners by Merrell. I can¢t wait to give them a try as soon as I finish the Smokies. I only have 4 more days left of hiking in the Smokies. It¢s a 4 day stretch with no way out until I finish. I will start in the morning and should be done on Monday. As before I may or may not be able to post journal entries while I¢m in there. I¢ll do my best and promise to get caught up ASAP if I fall behind. The weather looks like it should be much better for this portion. Today¢s rain ended with more of those little ice pellets. I was only in it about 25 minutes, but that was enough. Supper was a Victoria¢s Filet from Outback, a baked potato and salad. I¢m stuffed! Today¢s photo is (not so pretty) of me by the sign where I will head off into the woods tomorrow morning. Only 1,972 miles to go...I got this!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?