Date: 2010-04-03
From: Deep Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap 
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: broken clouds

What a beautiful sunrise this morning! It's so nice to wake up to the sound of a Cook Owl. The cool wind blowing your tent gently. I'm so thankful that I'm out here! What a privilege! The sky looked like creamy strawberry, blueberry oatmeal swirled by a three year old in his breakfast bowl. I stood there looking at the horizon for at least 15 minutes. It felt like, Stockholm syndrome or something. Amazing!I hauled bananas down to Dick's Creek Gap. But not without another awkward encounter with Brian peeing while standing...on the trail. I was sitting at the picnic tables by the highway when Ron Haven showed up in a yellow bus. He was offering a ride to Franklin/Hiawassee. He's obviously a businessman. And he pegged me as a tightwad immediately. He gave this awesome, used car sales pitch about Franklin and the April Fools bash. Barb-e-Que. Sweet Tea. Music. Banjo's. I thought to myself, nope, nope, nope. Ron then asked, "Who'd like to go to Franklin?" I said, "I'm waiting on the Blue Berry Patch shuttle". Ron flinched. He said, "I don't discriminate against fellow businesses, I'll take you there...pause..." Here's where I leaned in, towards him almost waiting, expecting to hear the next word. "For free", said Ron. He could see the relief in me immediately. Brian, my fellow hiker was sold. He was going to Franklin!Ron's bus ride was F-U-N! I'm going to hang out with him for a while when I get to Franklin. He asked the obligatory, "So, where are you guys from?" Looking especially at me. I said, "Durham, NC!" He snickered and responded with, "Oh, no wonder you're so stingy!" I laughed as he proceeded to tell me about his stint as a professional wrestler. He'd wrassled at a civic center in Durham. And Mexico! Pfft, say whaaaat?? I asked, "Did you wear a luchador mask?" Ron responded, "No, I was to pretty for a mask!" He then told me that the spanish word for mask is, "Mascara!" I guess he meant he was to manly man for such terms. He hesitated when I asked what his name was, so I asked if it was "He-man Woman Hater". He said, "I was a bad guy...a duo...I was Mr. X #2". I will begin a newspaper journal search when I return to civilization for a picture of Ron Haven in spandex, with stars, and no "Mascara!"Blue Berry patch is where I'm resting today. Got my clothes washed. Got my belly full. Sitting at a coffee shop listening to "Dire Straits" greatest hits. Loving life! Who would of thought this would be one heck of an adventure already. Heck, I've even gotta hitchhike back. A first for me. Probably a first of many though. Loving the weather. Feeling GREAT! Legs strong. Trying to use my muscles and not my bones on the down hill swings. Beard growing to satisfaction! This is the life.Miss ya'll! Happy Easter!!!Woke up at sunrise. Big creamy pink and purple clouds! Cook owl sung me to sleep last night. Could hear snoring through the shelter walls! Brian didn't hear it, so Brian was the culprit. Saw "Shovel" hobbling up AT with his swollen leg. "Shovel" said those Mormon kids had woken him up by tripping on his tent ropes. The tent fell on him and they apologized. One of the guides or chaparones had been complaining of serious chest pains and difficulty breathing. So scary! They were under prepared...and they had the hardest mountain ahead of them, Kelly's knob! I was in such a hurry to get to the hostel that I by-passed one of the vistas. I regret that now! I was concerned about making the shuttle on time. Walked up on Matt, McKenna and Brian. I'm learning the rules governing distance while hiking with others. Got to the trailhead and was immediately picked up by Ron Haven. Told us about hiker bash in Franklin. I wasn't interested. Called me "stingy" cause I wanted a free ride and that I was from Durham! HAHA! Told me about his days as a Pro-wrestler. Mr. X #2. He was a bad guy. I should of asked him if anyone called him, "Mrs. X". Ron said he picked on old women around the ring. Brian was lured into Franklin by Ron's sales pitch. Not me!Dropped me off at Blue Berry Patch. Gary is such a nice guy! They did my laundry for me! Gave me a hot shower! I washed my dishes and water containers out and let them sit in antibacterial soap. Ate cadberry eggs and leftover food after opening my mail drop. Rode to town with Gary's son and daughter-in-law. Hiawassee was nice! Used coffee shop computer for updates. Forgot journal and camera! Drank coffee...and clogged their toilet! HAHA! Yes, I told them I clogged it. Yes, I fixed it! Ha! Dire Straits greatest hits were rocking over the speakers! So weird being out there...then being in here. Went to Ingles. Almost "borrowed" some T.P. but I thought about how Karma is a cruel taskmaster to me...so I bought some instead. Ate a chicken sandwich at Dairy Queen. Had a craving for salt! Hitched back to Blue Berry via "Skip" and Susan. Apparently the trick for hitchhiking is not to wear sunglasses or a hat while trying to get a ride. Felt funny hitchhiking. First rule is...Don't PANIC!