Date: 2007-12-30
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Miles today: 0.0

I can't believe this is my last full day before I head up to Springer Mountain.I don't usually like to plan things so far in advance because I'd rather just make up my mind to do something and go do it....but I really wanted to start this walk on January 1st.This past month and a half has gone by quickly, so it hasn't been too bad.My stuff is in storage, I sold my RV the other day, I have my winter gear ready to go and I'm chompin' at the bit to start walking and lose some of these pounds of body weight I added in the last 6 weeks.It seems I always do that....add weight just before a long walk. I haven't figured out why, but it happens every time I'm getting ready for my next walk.I had a very nice Christmas. Subman and BearBait invited me over to their home in Ellijay, GA for Christmas dinner.I was handed a stocking full of goodies for the Trail almost as soon as I walked through the door.I spent all afternoon there and left just about dark.Chief and Carlene invited me to their mountain cabin in West Jefferson, NC for a few days.I accepted because I didn't want ol' Chief to start feeling neglected. :-)I spent the night of the 27th at Ron Haven's Motel in Franklin, NC. Ron stopped by and we got to talk for about an hour.He really helps lots of hikers out in that area and gets out whenever he can and gets some walking in himself. I promised him that I'd stop this year when I was in the area.I got to Winding Stair Gap just before dark last year and I told myself that if I didn't get a ride to Franklin in the first 5 minutes of hitching, I would just keep walking and set up my tent in a couple miles.I walked on and slept in the woods that night and didn't get to stop. I always felt bad about that, so I AM going into Franklin this year. :-)I stopped off in Damascus at Mount Rogers Outfitters the next day. I had Jeff hold a new ULA backpack aside for me.My P-1 backpack is just a little small for my winter gear. I can get everything in it, but I have to work at it and I don't like messin' with that.I bought a new ULA Catalyst and things fit much nicer.I stayed and talked to Jeff and Tom for a couple hours, then headed to Chief's cabin.I got there just as they did. It had been raining all afternoon and was dark out, so we just dropped our stuff off then went out for pizza.Chief had some projects he wanted to get done. He trimmed out a bathroom with new base boards, and then he wanted a new door installed in the basement.We went to Lowe's and got the door and got that job done, and then we had to build a movie screen for his theater.Carlene made a wonderful meal and fed not only the Chief and me, but Hodge and Sandra too....some friends that came over for a few days.We got to watch a movie later on the new movie screen.I headed back to GA today. It took all day to get back and it rained almost all the way.I was coming by Dick's Creek Gap and it was raining hard. There were 2 hikers hitching a ride into Hiawassee there. Boy, did they ever look happy when I pulled over to give them a ride.Their names were Dave and Hunter and they had been out walking 4 days.They asked if there were any good places to eat in Hiawassee, so I dropped them off at Daniel's....an AYCE. ;-)I decided to just stay at a motel next door to Daniel's and do the rest of the stuff I need to get done tomorrow morning.Ed Spear and Pog are picking Superstar and me up at Mountain Crossings tomorrow and taking us up to Springer for New Year's Eve.Superstar is going to walk from Springer to Neel Gap with me, then she'll go back to work and I'll keep walking. :-)The next entry will be from the Trail!!!I AM READY!!! :-)