Date: 2008-03-21
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice pleasant day. I've fallen once a day for the last three days, twice on slippery rocks and again today where water was flowing over a log; thank God my pack saved my butt - literally. The trail winds through an open meadow and down toward the Pigeon River following a lovely stream with lovely waterfalls. It then crosses the river via roadway bridge, goes under Interstate Highway 26, and abruptly climbs a staircase up the bluff to the left. Trail maintenance was needed on this section as several trees were down across the trail. Arriving at Standing Bear Hostel was a huge relief. Rockhound showed me the "store", bunkhouse, kitchen, and internet computer. He has been "working for stay" there for some time and has built a scenic rock wall lining the stream which divides the property in two. The place is very rustic, and Curtis, the owner, is one relaxed, enjoyable and comfortable guy, kinda like a hippy in the country. Late afternoon Curtis loaded the half dozen of us hikers into his van & drove us 15 miles into "town" where we could enjoy a nice dinner and buy a few supplies and beer. Town was nothing much, just two gas station convenience stores and a couple of restaurants and a rafting company. Hikers really, really enjoy any hot meal, and this one was good. Unfortunately resupply here was not suited to my diet, so my gorp is lacking chocolate chips and raisins; on the other hand I have peanuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, honey, and a loaf of bread. Squire and Memphis Tim surprised me by arriving at Standing Bear after the town run; they had stayed at a motel in Gatlinburg for two nights waiting for the rain to end, so their hike bore no resemblance to mine; they had beautiful views and pleasant weather. The place was nearly full; here is the list of hikers, thanks to Squire: UstaCould, Catfish, Ronan and wife?, Drew and Wendy, and Spock and Twiggy, Ron and Squire. Rockhound built a large campfire; everyone gathered around happily but soon left retired to bed.[2010: Below this post is a link to other journal entries for 21 March, including Squire's.] Here is my blog entry from that internet computer: Standing Bear Hostel, Tennessee and North Carolina borders. $1 per 15 minutes, so this will be brief. Lotsa fun so far and very nice people for hiking companions. I've made better time than expected and have just cleared the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Interstate 40. My knee is getting better and better. My pants are loose. My legs still get far too tired - I require a mid-day nap. Longest day so far was 18 miles. Worst weather is a tie between driving winds and 25 degree temperatures with light snow AND driving winds with light rain on the Smoky Mountain ridgetops. Best view a few days ago was from Rocky Top - magnificent 360 degree with mountains on all sides. Close second was the trees enshrouded with snow & ice a couple of days ago after a nice warm night in Peck's Shelter. My gloves have proved inadequate twice, so I just bought a new pair - with the hope that the coldest weather is behind me. Now I have to see about establishing a blog at trailjournals.com