Date: 2003-04-04
From:  Dicks Creek Gap 

To: Plumorchard Gap
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Gratitude......that is the word for the day. I am trying to hold on to this feling for the hard days ahead, but I have to tell you that I am so happy that I could pop! I have a trail family, and even though there is no telling how long it will last, I am so grateful for it!   There are four of us.....You all know me! :)Bumpkin is our bible-toting granny! :) She is my official partner and she is wonderful. She keeps our language clean and starts our day with the "memory verse for the day" out of her pocket bible and prays for our injuries. We all are convinced that she has a personal pipeline to God, and we are all grateful! :) She is open with her thoughts and feelings and makes me feel like I can tell her anything. Silver Lining is my age and has a devilish grin all of the time. :) Her sense of humor is contagious and she always has us laughing. We share a lot of the same background and experiences, so I feel like I have known her forever. Down to earth and easy, she also makes me feel like I can tell her anything.    Our newest member- Julia....better known as bikerhikerbabe! A dead ringer for Gina Davis, she is also my age (35) and six feet tall. Besides being beautiful, she has the dryest wit of anyone I have ever met! Hysterically funny and extremely classy, she makes the perfect addition to our group.And I feel like I could tell her anything! :)   All in all, we are woman, hear us roar! :)   As for our day, we woke up and headed out to run errands. It seemed to take us hours to get it all done, and due to our lateness, we were unable to take advantage of a generous offer by Dutch Treat to shuttle us around. So after visiting the grocery, hardware store, and post office, we took off walking up the Main St. with our backpacks and hiking poles. We were quite a sight! Even in a town that is used to hikers, traffic was noticably slowing down as it passed us! We were laughing hysterically when an ER doctor pulled up and offered us a ride. We explained that we were going to lunch, but that we would gladly buy him lunch if he would take us to the trail! He said, "Why not!!" and off we went to Subway. His name is Tim and he and his family live in Vero Beach, Florida and have a vacation home up here in the mountains. They are all backpackers, so he was used to helping out hikers. Well, he was just as nice as he could be, and once again, before we knew it, we we! re speeding towards the AT.   Todays hike was short...4.7 miles, but it was lovely! After the first big climb. we all kicked back in the woods, leaning against our packs and talking. I can't describe the feeling to you.....to know that you have everything you need to take care of yourself right there with you, and that you are completely self sufficient. As I was sitting there looking at these phenomenal women, I was really struck by our strength....and I was so proud to be among them!   The rest of our hike was uneventful, even though it was almost all uphill! I felt good and strong for the first time in a few days so I enjoyed it totally. We decided to forego the shelter and set up a campsite in the woods with a big fire. As we sat there, two of our friends from Addis Gap, Parkway and Sidewinder, came to visit. It was great to see them again, and to feel like we are making more and more friends.    Well, tomorrow we cross into North Carolina and I might as well warn you now...I might be quite obnoxious about it! After all.....in my head, that will make me a true thru hiker!! :) Good night all....... Love, Anna aka Mud Butt