Date: 2003-01-07
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawassee, GA Mull's Hotel
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

TRAIL MAGIC!!!!!!Today was incredible! Well, it did not start off so well but by the end I could not ask for more.    This morning I woke up to -9* (With wind chill)! So I was not happy to be getting out of bed. So I was a little down but Bono sure picked me up.   He wouldnt let me talk negativly and got me going. We decided to head into Hiawassee together. He needed food and I just wanted to hike with someone. It looks like we'll be walking together for a while. I enjoy the company... even if they walk a bit slower :)      As a side note, I have had a reality check. Making Katahdin by May 16th is nuts! It would make me a miles slave and I would be quite lonely out there. So a new plan is needed. It looks like Ill hike with Bono at least through the Smokey Mountains (Which will be very rough). I plan to finish in two sections. The first (right now) will go to probably Harpers Ferry, which is roughly the half way point. Then I'll do the second half during one of my summers in college. This way I dont push myself beyond my limits and I get to enjoy the company of another hiker. At least thats the plan for now. It may very easily change by next week! Just another little note... I AM NOT GIVING UP! I am just changing things to be logical and safe. Its good to hike with someone and if I rush I would probably be off the trail due to a lose of sanity. I am still in high spirits and I know that one day, sooner than later, I will finish the trail!   Anyway back to the wonderful day I had! So, Bono and I started hiking about 9 and got to Dick's Creek Gap(The road crossing) around 230. Just as we were coming into the little parking area, three boar hunters were hopping in their truck. They asked where we were going and then offered us a ride, if we could fit in the back of the truck bed that had a huge dog cage in it. We gladly accepted and were driven the 10 miles into this friendly town of Hiawassee. For you who do not know, trail magic is the unexpected, nice offerings that others give you while you are on the trail. This was a little bit of trail magic. Well when we got to town, Bono stopped into the PO to pick up his money order, only to find that it had not arrived. He was pretty upset since he was low on cash. So we walked to the Ingles grocery store to use the pay phone. I watched the packs outside as he talked on the phone inside. Nearly every person who walked by said "Hi" or "You hiking the trail" or "Do you need a ride back up to the trail?". Nice folks. Really nice folks.   So nice that one lady, with whom I spoke with on her way in the store, offered me a place to stay for a night. I asked, "Are you sure" and she replyed yes. Bobbie, this kind lady, said, "Well you just wait right here. Dont move. Im going to walk home, get my car and come pick you back up." I said, "Maim, really this is a nice offer are you sure?" She insisted and soon enough she and her husband, Richard, came back in the station wagon, picked us up and took us to Mull's HOTEL. Yeah we were expecting someones couch or floor. They insisted on paying for a night in the hotel and dinner!   Awesome. We are so gracious. TRAIL ANGELS I tell you!   If that was not enough, more trail magic came our way. We decided to go to the all you can eat pizza buffet that we were told was only "about 1 mle up the hill". After a long walk down the dark,long,busy 4 mile road we got to Papa's Pizza. Awesome, a little (ok a lot) out of the way, but awesome. While we were eating to of the workers came over and offered us a ride back to the hotel! Perfect. I think they can tell we are hikers by our clothes. People drive by, wave, ask you if ou need anything. Good folks, and a Great day! Hiawassee is on my list of best places on the trail... and I've only been out 5 days. Well take care everyone,PeaceRon