Date: 2010-04-20
From: Newfound Gap, Gatlingburg, TN

To: Gatlingburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everyone!!! Ripple here!! I am back to a computer and civilization for that matter! I am sitting in a SWEET cabin that Wanda and gang (dear friend from home) rented here in Gatlinburg! It was a total fluke that her vaca coincided with my arrival here! Talk about trail magic! I've cleaned up, been fed and soaked in the hot tub! Life is good! Today I will see about laundry, more eating, planning the next stop and resupplying for it! My next stop will be Hot Springs and I can't wait! I will pick up my bounce box today at the Outfitter here and will commence to planning (I only keep data for a week or so and the rest goes in the BB!) I believe I will be in the Smokies 3 more days and then another 30 miles I think to Hot Springs! I am going to edit some of the previous entries and will note them as updated...stay tuned! I should also be able to get you some more pictures when I have my BB with the USB in it! I have taken a SHLOAD of pictures, like 800 or something! Ha! Of course many are doubles, just to be sure I got it! So I will do the best I can.About the journey...as you can tell it has been fantastic! Everyday seems better than the day before! The weather, which I hope I don't jinks, has been insanely beautiful! The last couple days started off chilly, but that just means perfect hiking weather! The forests are really coming alive! Back in GA I saw the first little flowers...then tend to line the sides of the trail! Now they are really popping! The forest floor has turned from brown to green! Like Earl Shaffer (the first ever thru-hiker did, I am walking with spring! We did come across some snow yesterday once we hit the north side of the Smokies! Mostly just patches, but there were several! My utmost respect to those hikers who were out here trekking in that...I can't even fathom! The critters are waking up too! I haven't seen any bears, but others have! Some during the day, some in the evening around camps! No troubles though! I've seen a snake, bunny rabbit, lizards, millipede's, chipmunks, squirrels and tons of birds! On our rainy day at Cold Spring Shelter, Toasty and I watched a bird bathe in a waterfall about 10 feet away from us! It is so amazing out here I wish I could express it better!I am strong, determined, enjoying every mile & every person! I am hiking MY hike, although it's taking some practice! I am getting my routine established and getting better at my resupplies. I carried about 3 days too much food this last stretch! I am seeing hikers I met at the start and it's like a reunion! I've been hiking with Dave/"Ray"/McPappa/Three names! Somebody needs to get him a trail name he approves of! HA! ANYWAY, it was great to reconnect with him! I think he'll be here today so Shags and I may wind up sharing a room with him tonight! His son, McLovin, left the trail at the NOC and is missed! I also wouldn't be surprised to hear from Songbird and Toasty as they are about a day behind.SO MUCH INFO and SO MANY THOUGHTS! I'm going to see if my photo card will go right into Wanda's computer...I sure hope so! I've read my guest book and want to thank you all for the wonderful messages!! It really means a lot!!A special note... Mama T...I love you, SOOO very much! You are in my heart and prayers everyday! I will stay strong, just as you are and keep hiking! Please know that I miss you terribly and I wish I could hug you right now! I know you will beat this, I truly believe!! I'm glad to hear you are doing so well (and had a great vacation!) I love you!!