Date: 2008-02-14
From: Mountain Harbour B&B and Hostel, Roan Mountain, TN

To: 1 mile S of Moreland Gap, TN
Miles today: 16.5

I was trying to fall asleep last night in the hostel and couldn't because I was cold.I had a sheet and two quilts on....and thought that would be nice and warm, but it wasn't.It really made me appreciate my winter down mat and sleeping bag because I've slept toasty in those every night.I got my sleeping bag out and draped it over me and fell right to sleep. :-)I slept great once I used my sleeping bag....and didn't wake up till 6am.I made a whole pot of Starbucks and cooked four eggs, some bacon and sausage and had two powdered donuts for breakfast.I did the dishes, cleaned up the hostel, checked email, then packed up and was walking north on the Trail at 8:45am.It was in the teens this morning and beautiful out because of a little snow that fell overnight.It wasn't much snow, but just enough to remind me how much I like walking in the snow and how beautiful it is in the woods after a snowfall.I called my ol' buddy Chief last night. You may remember me saying something about him and Hopeful going for a walk on the AT real soon.Well, Hopeful started the other day at Newfound Gap in the Smokies and has been walking through some chilly winter weather.Chief is supposed to join him when he gets to Hot Springs this Sunday and continue on to Damascus.Like I said, Hopeful has been out walking in some winter weather.....and do you know what the first thing my ol' buddy Chief said when I called....nope, not one word about poor Hopeful....who's been walking in winter weather since he started....my ol' buddy Chief said to me; "Stumpknocker, I'm worried about what the weather is going to be like Sunday night....I think it's going to be cold! I may have to wait and start on Monday".Can you believe it? He's not concerned about Hopeful at all.Chief.....it's winter.....it might get chilly if you're going to sleep in the woods! :-)I've got another "Chief" story, but will save it for another time.I was walking along and started thinking back to '02 when I met a friend by the name of Mainframe in this area.He finished the Trail and since has done a number of long distance bike rides and canoed down the Mississippi River....hum, I wonder what a long kayak tour would be like? :-)This is an area of nice easy Trail to walk. Lots of ups and downs, but nothing more than about 500 ft or so at a time.I passed a nice river and found a log that was in the sun and dry. I sat there and ate a snack and watch the river flow by.I could see a few places where some beavers had done some damage to a few trees along the bank.I walked on and decided to eat the rest of my lunch at the fairly new Mountaineer Shelter.It was just built in '06 and this was the first time I've seen it.I had some chicken salad and crackers, Fritos, raisins, a dark chocolate bar and a granola bar for lunch.I signed the register and left some smiley face stickers in it, then hoisted my pack and walked on.The day had warmed up to about 50 degrees and all the snow on the sunny side of the mountain was gone, but it was still frozen on the shady side on the mountain.It felt a lot cooler in the shade too, but it sure felt warm in the sun!The sky had been a deep blue all day...not a cloud in the sky with calm winds.I just walked slowly....enjoying this next to last day of walking that I'll do till I ride my bicycle about 3000 miles. :-)I'm really excited about how this year is shaping up! I can't believe how everything always works out if you just don't try to force it.I walked by lots of small streams, through lots of rhododendrons, through an area where I did some Trail work once, past Laurel Fork and then a pretty good climb.I checked my cell phone and saw that I had data service for the first time since early morning, so I started looking for a flat spot to set up my tent.I found one, but thought I might do better on top of the next climb, but was wrong.I backtracked a little over a tenth of a mile and settled for the flat spot I had already checked out.I set up my tent in some nice soft leaves and called it a day. :-)Another great day on the Appalachian Trail! :-)