Date: 2009-03-23
From: Rock Gap Shelter, NC

To: Winding Stair Gap, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Cell: GoodOG notes: We spent the night in a crowded shelter, we were filled to capacity. It was noisy with the snoring and people rolling around. As usual I fell asleep early and was awake in the middle of the night. This seems to be the usual for me, I get into my sleeping bag to get warm and fall asleep.We hiked 3.7 miles out to a main road into Franklin, NC. We were picked up at the trailhead by a fellow named Ron Haven. He owns two motels and lots of other properties here in town. He is known as a hiker's friend. He provides shuttles to and from the trailhead and at least one trip a day to the stores in town. We went to the outfitter to get C6 a new belt she wasn't pleased with the one she had. We could have stopped at Wallyworld or the local supermarket also. Of course he rents rooms to hikers at a very reasonable rate, too. I'm satisfied with what he does for us and appreciate the things he does. If there are any future hikers reading this, put Franklin on your agenda, and read how to hook up with Ron.We'll be sleeping in a bed tonight, in a private room. We are not in a bunkhouse and it s nice to be decompressing. We are staying here tomorrow, too, we need to give our bodies a day of rest.We uploaded 153 pictures and video clips to our son tonight. Hopefully he'll be adding some to the journal sometime in the future.So much for now, we'll write again tomorow.C6 notes - Great day today. Nice 3.7 mile hike to a pick up point to come into Franklin, NC. Ron Haven, owner of the Budget Inn and Sapphire Inn Motels in Franklin, came out to get a group of us. (OG, C6, Red Leg, Early Bear, Plunger, and Mr. Right.) Got a room in the Budget Inn...and saw Neal (Old Gear) this afternoon. Great to see Neal again! Sorry to hear he's having boot problems, but glad to hear he bought new boots and his spirit is still high. We had a fabulous lunch with Adin and Neal, and are planning on dinner together later. Tomorrow Neal will go back to where he stopped, and Adin will push on tomorrow. We've decided to take a day off tomorrow and enjoy the luxuries of civilization for a day. Rain is coming (the clouds are darkening already), so when we get back on the trail on Wed, we'll be hiking in rain for 3-4 days (according to the other report we saw when we got here). Oh well..."no rain, no pain, no Maine."I mentioned "Early Bear" before. He said he got his trail name by seeing a bear on his 3rd day of hiking. The bear came up to him as he was cooking dinner. He scared it away and had to hang his bear bag as the bear was watching him. Yikes!Neal said he was not far behind us over the past few days. He looked for our notes in every shelter journal, and found we had eaten breakfast at the Muskrat Shelter when he stopped there for lunch. It's later now. We had a delghtful dinner with Neal, Adin, and "Flying Scotsman" at Cody's Roadhouse. Interesting place, and wonderful company! Had a few moments this afternoon to check out guest notes some of you have left in our Trail Journal. Great to read your encouraging notes Fran and Robin! Thanks! Everyone else, too. (I'm specifically mentioning Fran and Robin because they are friends from the job I left in July to prepare for this wonderful adventure!)We love reading the notes when we have a chance to get on a computer. Thank you everyone for your encouraging words! Old Goat & Check SixGuest Entry - Chris (their son) - I have received all of their videos and photos. I just uploaded all the photos, please go to http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?trailname=7600 to view them. (the photo link to the left). I've also started uploading videos as well, they can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/oldgoatandcheck6 . I've not had the chance to add dates, and their comments, I'll get to that. I also plan to link them to these log entries in teh correct places as time goes on. For now enjoy the photos, I'll update everyone again when the details are added.