Date: 2013-03-28
From: Hemlock Hollow Inn continued

To: Mother Marian's Hostel
Miles today: 17.6

Well, I finally said goodbye to Fred and Hattie and hit the trail once again. Fred took us to the trail head, dropped us off, wished us well and we were off again. Baker, Sweet Tea, Justin, Mud, Orso, Fire Drill and I started out together. We quickly dispersed along the trail based on our individual hiking speeds. As usual, I passed a few hikers and got passed by a few. Our objective for today was Hogback Ridge Shelter. Hattie and Fred had told us they had heard rumours about a new hostel close to Sam's Gap where there was a trail head on Interstate 26. In fact, Hattie asked me if I could confirm the rumours, one way or the other, she would appreciate it. Then, she could let other hikers know the straight scoop. The hiking for the day had a few tough climbs but, otherwise, was uneventful which is a good thing.Somehow, I got ahead of all the other hikers, except Fire Drill, that I left Hemlock with, and arrived at Hogback second. A hiker shuttle driver had left a few business cards at the shelter. Since I was only two miles from I-26, I had cell service. So, I called the shuttle driver and asked him if there was a hostel out of Sam's Gap. He said there was. I asked him if he knew the phone number or anything about the hostel and he said no, but he said there was a sign, about a mile from I-26, nailed to a tree, with the info I needed. I left a note for the other hikers behind me stating that there was a hostel and put my name and cell number on the note.Instead of staying at Hogback, I trudged ahead, found the sign and called the hostel. Yes, they had room for me. I asked the young man, Bobby, if he could come and pick me up at the trail head at Sam's Gap and he said yes. Nickleodean, from Boston, called me and I told him I was being picked up and I would ask the driver to wait or come back for the others if they were interested. He said, great. But, the others were scattered out so far down the trail that none arrived at Hogback until late and decided to stay in the shelter.Bobby was waiting when I got to Sam's Gap. A very nice and accommodating young man and also an experienced hiker. He took me to his home where he lived with his folks. Mother Marian's was definitely not your average hostel. It was their home in Wolf Laurel, a gated, private subdivision with large, beautiful homes located in Mars Hill, NC. There we met Mother Marian and Fred who welcomed me into their home. A lovely couple. Also, Fire Drill was already there ahead ahead of me. Fire Drill is usually ahead of everyone being the speedy hiker he is. Bobby asked me if I was a vegetarian. I said no. He said asked me if hamburgers were ok for dinner. Of course, I said yes. After showering and getting my gear situated, Bobby knocked on my bedroom door and announced that dinner was ready. I went down and there were burgers with all the trimmings, baked beans, fries and PBR. That is Papst Blue Ribbon beer for those uninitiated among you. Oh yes, it was all good, really good! It was so good that I could not eat it and sit still. Bobby cooked it all, too. Then, we had homemade vanilla ice cream and brownies for desert. Can you believe that?? The family treated us like royalty in their home. Bobby even washed my scuzzy clothes and Fire Drill's, too. After a good night's sleep, the next morning, Bobby knocked on my door again and asked me how I liked my eggs. I told him scrambled. I got dressed, went downstairs to that unmistakable aroma of breakfast cooking and, shortly, it was served. How good it was. Fire Drill got up earlier and had already left. Bobby delivered me back to the trail head, bid me farewell and off I went out of Sam's Gap.The hiking was ok to begin with. There is always a climb out of a gap and Sam's was no exception. But, about seven miles into the hike, the climb got a lot more intense at Big Bald. At higher altitudes, the remaining snow was much deeper, over a foot in many places. And so it goes on The AT,Sandman69