Date: 2005-03-24
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

Miles hiked today : 9.07.5 AT miles + 1.5 miles of side trail + 1.2 roadwalk milesI woke up somewhat late this morning, but I was on the trail by 7:45 a.m. Not far down the trail was the side trail to the Wasalik Poplar. I descended down the trail to check it out. It's the second largest poplar in the world and while it was fairly big, it wasn't much compared to the Sitka Spruce near Seaside, OR. In addition, the top branches had been cut off, so it looked somewhat mangled.My goal this morning was to be at the post office by 11:30 a.m. Hiking at a fast pace, I reached Winding Stair Gap at 10:30 a.m. No more than two minutes after unfurling my "hiker to town" sign, a large truck parked on the other side of the highway started up and drove up to me, offering to take me into Franklin.Roy and Silvia were the couple in the truck and they'd just dropped off their friend, Creaky Bones. As we drove along, they asked where I was headed in town and when I told them about going to the post office before getting some food, they offered to drop me off at the post office.Upon reaching the post office, Sylvia asked if I was just picking up a package. I told her a package and a letter, so she offered to drive meback to the main section of town, since the post office was so far out of the way.They dropped me off at the library at 11:30 a.m., which put me well ahead of schedule. I stood at the payphone sending/receiving e-mail with my Pocketmail. After about ten minutes, the process was done and I stood there in the sun, reading and laughing at the things family and friends had written me. I also enjoyed reading the guestbook entries from Trailjournals, which are forwarded via e-mail.I went into the library and had to read a six page acceptable usage policy before I was able to use their internet access. Although there is a one hour limit when there is a line, that wasn't the case today. I had plenty of time to process e-mail, pay my bills, and update my online journal.I left the library at 1:30 p.m. with the idea of pizza for lunch. I began walking down the road, with no idea how far I'd have to walk, and stuck out my thumb, hoping for a ride. No such luck and I ended up walking about one mile down the road, having to dart across the highway crossings. As I walked along, I noticed the temperature on an electronic reader board: 76 degrees F. I saw Pizza Hut and was going to see if they had a lunch buffet, but then I saw a ferris wheel across the street. I'd seen an advertisement earlier in the day for a $3.99 pizza buffet, with the blurb "Just look for the Ferris wheel." So I dashed across the street and walked up along driveway to what turned out to be a huge arcade complete with go-karts, amusement park rides, and batting cages. I found the buffet, which included a salad bar, and ate well. It was nice to have some vegetables. I don't believe I've had any since I left Olympia.After lunch, I crossed the street again to a grocery shop. I only picked up a few things and was sitting on the bench outside repackaging my food and carefully packing my food bag when I saw a hiker head into McDonalds. I finished up and walked over to find that it was Joe.I talked with him and drank water while he finished eating, then we made plans to hitch out of town. Joe needed to pick up food for an extra day and I needed to pick up fuel across the street at the outfitter. We agreed to meet up at the US-64 on-ramp and set off.I went across the street to Three Eagle Outfitters. The staff there was remarkably friendly and after helping me get fuel and batteries, they took a Polaroid photo for their thru-hiker wall. While I was waiting for my fuel, an older couple asked me whether I was thru-hiking and if I needed a ride anywhere. I told them that a ride back to the trail would be great and asked if they could take Joe too. They said "Sure!," introduced themselves as Mother Nature and Father Time and told me that they'd thru-hiked the AT in 1998. They're from Massachusetts and are in the area for a couple weeks of hiking while they wait for ther new home to finsh being built. Father Time said that they'd be waiting in the parking lot and that I should take my time.Since Joe and I were going to meet at the on-ramp, I wasn't exactly sure where to meet him. We drove to the grocery store and found him at the far side of the parking lot, almost to the on-ramp. We picked him up and headed the ten miles back to Winding Stair Gap. There was another hiker there waiting for a hitch, so Mother Nature and Father time took her into town for the night.I was back on the trail at 4:45 p.m., just a little over six hours off the trail. I was pleased with this and hiked 4.2 miles to Siler Bald Shelter, arriving at 7:00 p.m. Although the full moon isn't until tomorrow, it appears full tonight and has a very cool looking halo around it.While setting up my tent, disaster struck. My main tent pole snapped at one of the elbows! Luckily, one of the other hikers had some duct tape and with the use of some 1/2 thick twigs lying on the ground, I was able to make my tent stand up. Granted, it's not perfect and I feel a little claustrophobic right now, but it'll work until I get to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) in a couple days. I'm a little disappointed with this tent. It's a brand new Sierra Designs Ultra Lightyear and I've been very careful when handling the poles under tension. This is only the seventh time I've pitched the tent and the pole should not have snapped. Hopefully it will be easy to get a replacement.Bedtime at 10:00 p.m.