Date: 2008-04-09
From: Rock Gap shelter

To: Siler Bald shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

I only did 7.4 today, but it included a visit to Franklin, NC. A big thanks to Ron Haven, who gave us a ride both in and out of town, and told good stories as we rode with him. A good guy - for you throughs behind me, make sure get to meet him.Today we got a wicked early start - we were up and hiking by 6am, in the dark, to make sure we caught the early shuttle in to town. So hokewa, gypsy and i did our first night hike... It was a great morning, the first one out here when it wasn't foggy or raining. Saw so many stars out...So we were cruising along, when we stumbled upon Baltimore Jack and CC's stealth campsite. Baltimore jack was already up, but he invited us to have some tea with him and watch the sunrise. That was pretty cool. It's been fun talking with him the last couple of days. I'm glad i got a chance to meet him.   here are some things i learned from him:1) do not start a discussion on politics with him - it will not go well for you.2) never poo in the woods with your butt facing uphill, especially if you are standing on wet leaves3) do not set your toilet paper on fire, unless you are ready to put out a forest fire...4) Baltimore Jack is a treasure trove of information, and if you can get him to share some of his AT knowledge with you, pay attention.I also learned from another person's experience that if you wander off into the woods to go poo, look out for other people's, because not everyone digs a cathole like they are supposed to. Thank goodness that wasn't me.anyway, enough with the poo stories...So we got to Winding Stair Gap with time to spare, and there were trail angels there giving out food goodies! Thank you trail angels.We got into town in a packed bus - (word spread fast about the shuttle.) We met up with gobbles, and paid the hotel to take showers in his room, so i got cleaned up a little. Then we went to the post office, and i mailed my busted camera home, and some other odds and ends i wasn't using, we went to McDonalds, and ate 4,000,000,000 calories in our burgers and fries (mmmmmm salty grease) and then went food shopping to get us to Fontana Dam, which we hope to reach on Monday.Cool! I can hear an owl hooting in the woods! Gobbles just saw a mouse too, so maybe the owl can fly over and eat it. That would be awesome to see. Too bad it won't actually happen.Anyway, i got to talk to my wife and catch up with her, and we got Ron to drive us back out here by 2. We hiked UPhill to the shelter, and we have it to ourselves. There is a father and his two sons out here, but they are tenting it. Made ramen alfredo with bacon bits for dinner - mmmm gourmet. And i washed it down with an apple, some pudding, a smooshed swiss cake roll, and two mini candy bars. And some gatorade.We hung out till dark, and now everyone has gone to sleep. Today's weather was great, we got some nice views. Hope it holds out for while. People are warning us that it is supposed to snow on us this coming weekend. Yoiks! Time for sleep...Oh yeah... I did laundry this evening, since my clothes are getting stinky.. the guys started calling mr two-cycle, or maytag... after a washing machine. We'll see if either of the names stick.Goodnight.