Date: 2019-05-25
From: Stealth camping - 520.0

To: Stealth camping - 536.4
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

I slept good last nigh for being so close to the highway. When I wake I am afraid to look at the time because if it¢s too early I have to try to go back to sleep . This morning it was 530, not bad. I got on the trail at 715. I left my campsite mates a note thanking them again for the beers. I like getting an early start. I am fresh and the trail is fresh. I got to the road crossing and saw a poster: Free hiker feed all day Saturday May 25, I looked at my phone and realized that¢s today! It was 5 miles up the trail, I now had a goal. Walking in the early hours allows you to watch the forest wake up, the sun is coming in at a low angle and it¢s still cool. Today was a beautiful day, and the sky was clear. Approximately 1.5 miles from the first shelter I saw a bear, the first one I have found, and seen on my own. It was rather far down a ravine.  I then saw two cubs, and I wanted to get no more near.  I clapped two rocks together and mamma took her cubs and left the area. I am still in awe of their beauty. The way their black contrast the green of the forest.I made it to the roadway and saw a sign pointing to the church hosting the feed. I started walking the .8 miles. The sign said there would be shuttles. I figured if the shuttle came along they would pick me up. A church member stopped and picked me up within two minutes.  At the feed they had Barbecue pork, hotdogs, salads, beans, a whole table of desserts, drinks, and another table of items for hikers to take like: snacks, band aids, hygiene products, etc. What a display of kindness from Valley View Baptist Church AT Hiker Ministry. I relaxed there for about 1.5 hours. Of course I ate too much. I have not had phone signal since 3pm yesterday.  About 2 hours into my afternoon hike I was getting upset. It was hot and humid, I was climbing again, and I hadn¢t talked to Seaneen since yesterday. I finally got a signal about 2 pm and was able to talk to her. My feet were starting to hurt again, but I still had miles I wanted to do. I got to the next shelter, and didn¢t care for the crowd. Certain shelters are either close to a trail town or have amenities others do not. This one is sort of close to a town, you can have pizza delivered. There is also a shower, bathroom, water, and a place to charge your phone. These amenities keep ¢hikers¢ staying there for extended days. The water source is about .2 miles from the shelter, near the welcome center. As I was getting water, three police cars pulled in, two had dogs. They were all business. I did my own thing. One police officer came over the me after a few minutes and asked me my trail name, I said Viking, who are you looking for. They were looking for Cherokee. I hadn¢t heard that name yet. I finished my water filling and told the officers to Stay Safe. Cherokee must be a tall thin very handsome blonde guy-just saying.I walked another 2 miles and found an excellent stealth site. I built a fire ring and stacked up a teepee fire, but never lit it. Trail magic for the next person. Wildlife update: Mama Bear and two Cubs, cows, a dog named rasin, and a toad.