Date: 2006-03-21
To: Musings...or BullSh*t, you take your pick!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I had a great Saturday as I went up to Woody Gap to meet Jack and Wolf. I packed up some beer, fried chicken and other goodies and headed on up. I started to head into Gooch Gap when Chuter came down the trail in my direction only to inform me that Jack and Wolf were making better time than Jack had thought they would, so I turned around and headed back to the gap where I gave a tasty malt beverage to Chuter before heading north out of Woody Gap. Up near the top of the first mountain I came across a girl sprawled on a switchback by the name of Sun(real name). She looked like she was suffering a little bit, but appeared in good spirits. She had camped with the Odd Couple(Jack and Wolf) the night before but informed me they were well up the trail having left at the crack of dawn. I thanked her and continued on up the trail. I was moving well and feeling good as I started to form a plan in my head to go up to Neel's and take the Freeman Trail into the campsite they were going to be staying in...With that settled I turned around and headed back to Woody Gap and my Jeep. Ran into Shooter on the summit of the first mountain and made really good time back to Woody Gap. In short time I was at Mountain Crossings(Walasi/Neels Gap). I went in to ask the guys if I could park in their lot to deliver my care package and they said sure. Cola Monkey came out just as I was about to go and informed me that Wolf was out back and had arrived earlier. What great news!!! I went out back and found General and Wolf already enjoying their libations, and after getting my cooler I proceeded to join them. Nean came out back to visit and some of the hikers began wandering back by us like a dog looking for a treat, we all hung for awhile as we shared beer and chicken. Soon enough though the hikers retreated to the hostel and it was just Chef, Wolf, General, and I left to finish the beer...what a shame. Around 5pm General and Chef took off but Wolf and I went off to get more beer. He kept telling me the drive was too far, and I kept telling him he'd do it for me, which he would! Anyways we got back in time to have a beer with some of the guys who work at the Outfitter. Be great to these guys as they are some of the genuine good people of the world! Soon enough it was time for me to head home and I left them around 7pm. I hope to see Wolf up in Franklin in a couple of weeks for Ron's Hiker Fool's Bash. Anyways, a day that looked like it was gonna be a mess ended up being an absolutely great day.On a side note: Wolf and I were talking about how miserable some of the thru hikers looked, or rather I was commenting on this, and of course he reminded me most had never done it before so had no idea what to expect, and all were carrying too much gear. Don't worry, if you're hurting it will get better, and when you hit Neel's have the guys tuckerize(go through) your pack!!! It will make a world of difference for you. Take advantage they have all thru hiked and know what they are doing!!! Don't be embarrassed as we have all carried too much in the past. Remember a thru hike isn't a sprint, you're out there for the long haul. Anyways, I'm out my show is coming on!!!