Date: 2016-03-08
From: Hiawassee, via Unicoi Gap

To: Hiawassee, via Dick's Creek Gap 
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

I woke up not really sure what to do today. I had sleep wonderfully, and felt good to hike, but my throat had not improved whatsoever. I knew I couldn't make the 17 miles to Dicks Creek Gap with a full pack on, but I didn't want to waste the whole beautiful day doing nothing. Before starting the trail, I was pretty sure I wanted to stay self-sufficient on the whole trail, not slack-packing at all. But Good People told me that trail ethics are always subject to change. So rather than push myself beyond my limits or lose a whole day, I decided to slackpack. I caught the free shuttle up to Unicoi Gap from the Budget Inn with a pair of sisters from Florida. When we pulled up, a man was standing in the lot who looked like Rock. And to my disbelief, it was!! I got out and said hello. Unfortunately, the knee that had been bothering him in the weeks prior to his section hike had given out, and he didn't want to push on. I gave him my number and said goodbye, hoping to meet up with him tonight. He headed back to town in the same shuttle I came in. Today had a lot of climbing. This started with Rocky Mountain, which I pushed up and over quite quick, but then continued with Tray Mountain. Water was very scarce the whole day, and at the top of Tray mountain I shook my head at having to walk .3 miles downhill off the trail to water. The peaks kept coming, and I got more and more tired. I could feel that something was not right: I was getting more tired than I should have. I knew I was sick and the heat was slowing me down. Then there was Kelly Knob. Ugh, Kelly Knob. A mile of constant steep uphill that kept fooling me into thinking it was almost over. It's funny. My lack of a backpack immediately pegged me as not a trhu hiker. I explained to a few people my situation, and got understanding reactions from all but one, who replied that "he thought it was the law to have a backpack." It didn't make me happy to feel like a cheater or an outsider. As I began to climb up to Powell Mtn, I got a call from Willard. We had been texting all day, and now he was just in front of me! Half an hour later, I rounded a corner and found him there! The day had been just as brutal for him as for me, and he said that he never wanted to hike alone again. We leapfrogged a few times as I stopped for water and made our way down to Dicks Creek. The descent was tiring, and climbed up a few times. Willard decided that he couldn't push on anymore and would head to Hiawassee with me. Finally we made it down. The day was nice, and we began trying to hitch a ride. It took longer than it ever has for me, about half an hour. We spent our time sitting and making jokes. Willard pole danced on a sign to attract drivers. It didn't work. Finally, a white truck with a Georgia Bulldogs license plate pulled up to take us in. I couldn't believe it. It was Ron!!! This was about the biggest coincidence I have ever encountered on the trail and we laughed endlessly about it. It also came up that Ron - though he has a house in town - lives all but two nights of the year in a one-room cabin with his wife. Ron dropped us off at the Inn, and I showed Willard into the room. He rinsed off in the shower and I went and got my prescription at Rite Aid. God bless my prescription card, which saved me about 60 bucks! We had been in contact with Rock, who had just been sitting in his room in Hiawassee all day. He offered to buy us all dinner, so we decided to head to the buffet at Daniels steakhouse. I was amazed. 9 dollars for great endless fried chicken and other southern specialities. I also have never seen a restaurant with a religious motive. But everywhere you looked there was something about God. Huh. We headed back to the Inn and said goodbye to Rock, who will be getting picked up by his wife tomorrow or the next day. Willard and I spent the evening watching Tosh.0, soaking our feet and planning out our next days. We are planning on three easier days into Franklin, where we may take a day off! Gnight!