Date: 2006-04-17
From: Curly Maple Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 18.8

Grease Monkey goes deep in the pack today. It thundered once last night and rain forcasted for today. I left camp under grey skies but was soon hiking under hot sun. I left my pack cover on anyway not trusting the good luck. Wise decision. After I stopped for a snack on the Beaut Spot, the skies opened up on Unaka Mountain.I had raingear riding on top of my pack under the rain cover but didn't stop at first figuring my tee shirt and shorts would be enough. They weren't in the cold wind and cold rain. The top of Unaka is forest covered. Hansel and Gretel might be lost up there. I could have joined them. The trail was not clear when wet and under dark skies. I had trouble finding blazes wearing foggy glasses. After a few wrong turns and detours around a freshly blown down tree, I was on the other side of the mountain and headed down. Flooded trail equals slick mud and I slipped twice bringing my total falls to 37.I was still in a foul mood after the debacle at Miss Janet's. Cold rain and mud didn't help. I was glad to find Cherry Gap Shelter and a place to stop for lunch.Don Quixote was just leaving as I pulled in. The place was full with hiker's taking refuge from the weather. I'm to the point where I can't remember trail names of everyone I meet, there are so many of us. I talked to one guy, a vegetarian chef, I hadn't met yet. He was hiking for a while with visiting friends from Louisiana. Pi was there as was Coyote and her partner all of whom I'd met at Miss Janet's. The Jersey were on their way out as I ate pepperoni and cheese on tortilla.I changed out of wet clothes and felt better as I warmed up. The folks in the shelter were all smiling and friendly and greatly improved my mood. I was tempted to stay, but the place was full and I had planned on covering 8 more miles. It's tough out here when there are people you want to see both ahead and behind. Some you'll lose touch with and others will keep popping up.There's a hostel at the 20 mile mark in Greasy Creek Gap. I thought about making tomorrow a zero day since I still need a rest after getting one in Erwin. I also had a deep craving for chocolate milk and tobacco and needed a phone as well. I hate to say it but I'm still smoking after picking up out of depression at Standing Bear.Before I left Cherry Gap, Minnesota Smith pulled in without a pack. Miss Janet was slack packing him and meeting him at the next forest utility road. She slacks lots of hikers who want to put in easy miles and then return to a warm bed.As annoying as he can be, I was glad to see Minnesota. He had been pretty sick with heat exhaustion the other day when he got off trail and hitched to --- He might be changing his way a bit. I didn't get any lectures from him and he's considering lightening his huge pack.After leaving Cherry Gap, I caught up with the Jersey Boys who were setting up for the night in a big field, maybe an old orchard just before Greasy Creek. They invited me to stay and I took them up on it. I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to get to know a few more people that I only knew by sight. Three of the guys have recent degrees in fields of science, one of them probably starting med school in August unless he defers admission because the trail is more important. They all have great attitudes and have managed to stay together for over 300 miles. Three share the same tent. They food shop communally and share meals; very uncommon out here.While we had dinner a noisy crew showed up, Squirrel leading the bunch. Why are there great people I lose on the trail and this jerk I can't get rid of? I may change my mind on the zero day tomorrow but will at least stop at the hostel for phone and chocolate milk. Fingers crossed that they don't have tobacco. Withdrawal won't be much fun but I can't return to the habit full time. I'm looking for the best in me out here, not the worst.