Date: 2010-04-21
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Gatlinburg. TN
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Decided to do an unscheduled resupply in Gatlinburg, TN. I didn't think I had enough food to last until my next schedule resupply. I also figured the prices and selection would be better in Gatlinburg then a convenience store along side the trail. And I can get new earphones for my MP3 Players. For the last couple of days, I have been hiking with a group of section hikers (bothers and sisters). Doing a backpacking trip was on one of the sister's bucket list, so her sibling made it happen. They had planned on hiking the AT through the entire Smoky Mountains. However, they decided it was more then they could handle so they made arrangements to be picked up at Newfound Gap (the road to Gatlinburg)by another one of their siblings. If I am not mistaken the youngest one was 70 years old. Since I was hiking at a fast pace, they asked me to keep an eye out for their brother and pass on the information regarding their pace and location. I was more then willing to help them out. About 4 miles from the road crossing, I ran into the brother as he was hiking in to meet them. He was very surprised when I called him by name. It really caught him off guard. After the initial shock of me calling him by name, he realized that I knew his name because I had been hiking with his siblings. I passed along their location and plans and headed for the road crossing. He went on to meet up with his family. When I made it to the road crossing, it was busy so I figure I could get an easy ride to town. In the parking lot, they family were all their sitting in chairs eating grapes and cheese and drinking beer. They had hiked down the road as the trail was very muddle and slow going. They invited me over for a snack, which I accepted. As they were preparing to leave to go pick up their other cars, they offered me a ride to town since they were going that direction. A nice easy ride. They asked where I wanted to be dropped off and I had no clue. They dropped me off at a small market on the edge of town and even offer me a ride back to the trail when I finished my resupply. I had decided to spent the night, so I declined. Since I wasn't planning on staying in town I had no idea where to stay, so I just started walking down the main strip carrying my backpack looking for a hotel. Boy did I get some strange looks. I really did look like a homeless bum. Even through this is a trail town, it is not a typical trail town as it a tourist town. I went to the Visitors center to see if there was a hostel in town. There was no hostel in town, but a very nice lady helped me find everything I needed (post office, grocery store, outfitters, etc.) included telling me where all the hikers sleep. Very helpful. It started out cold and windy, but finally cleared up in the afternoon. I hit three major milestones today. First, Clingmans Dome, which at 6,643 ft is the highest peak on the AT. Second, I saw snow. Finally, I passed the 200 miles hike marker. I really have to start eating better, both on the trail and in town. I still don't have my hikers appetite. This may be the reason why I can't hike the mileage I want. Now the really bad news, it is supposed to rain with a chance of thunderstorms all weekend. Not going to be fun, but part of the journy. Like Crazy Train say "Hike on Hiker" and that is all I can do this weekend.