Date: 2003-04-02
From: Addis Gap

To: Hiawassee Gap
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: clear sky

start addis gapdestination hiawassee,gaI was delighted to be able to read for a while last night before falling asleep.It is one thing to get enough sleep and another to get too much.The campfire was great last night and it was sure nice to go to bed at 9:00 instead of 6:00.i woke up the second time at 7:00 to the sounds of breaking limbs and shortly after ,the smell of a fire.That was enough to force me from the warmth of my sleeping bag.One by one hikers left their tents and gathered around the fire to prepare breakfast.We were all in awe of Healer who fixed grits ,then proceeded to eat them with his chopsticks!Truly amazing: Of course we are easily entertained out on the trail.The climb out of Addis Gap was crueling to say the least.I got a bit ahead of Mudbutt and sat down to rest and wait for her to catch up.I was writing an email when I heard her coming up the mountain.I could not imagine who she was talking to,sometimes she is really fussing at the mountain as she climbs,but she sounded way too happy for that.As she rounded the bend,I saw a familiar face peering out from behind her!It was Silver Lining ,who had hiked a 15 miler yesterday and had started at 6 :00 this morning hoping to catch up with us maybe on Thurs.Here it was Weds morning and she had caught up with us:What a whooping and hollering celebration we had.Even though we had fun talking as we hiked,today was the longest 5.4 miles I have ever done,whether running or hiking.We finally got to Dick's Creek Gap and our highway to Hiawassee.Healer and Julia, who had camped with us last night.We took a short rest at the picnic tables,then tried to pay a day hiker to take us into town,with no avail.We all took a deep breath and went to the sid!e of the road and burst into laughter as we stuck out our thumbs. The funny thing was,as a car would approach,we would pull our thumbs in.Only one of us had ever hitchhiked before.It took 8 minutes before a little red datsun pickup screeched to a stop.I had a moment of panic when I heard his brakes squeal as he stopped,but Julia had already practically climbed in his window asking him if he would take us into town.He graciously let us all pile into the back of the truck with our pack.He was even brave enough to let one of us (Silver Lining) sit up front.Of course both windows were down. Note to my kids,do as I taught you,and not as I do now.I would have a fit if my kids hitch hiked,got into the back of a truck to ride with a complete stranger driving. The winding roads, going down hill at an incrediblely fast speed, which seemed much faster than we were really going compared to how fast we were use to going combined with squealling brakes kept me in an additude of prayer the entire 9 miles.   We had planned on staying at The Blueberry Patch Hostel,but the lateness of the day,plus the fact that the Holiday Inn had both a spa and a indor heated pool,with an all you can eat buffet steak house withing walking distance,convinced us that we needed to stay there instead.With four of us splitting a room,it was a very affordable stay.   We called fellow hiker friends who joined us for dinner.Then who should show up but Healer who had finally connected with his support person.When we last saw him at Dick'sCreek Gap,he was out of food and afraid he had missed his drop.They joined our table and we kept the waitress busy just filling our tea glasses.   Back in our room we dumped all our dirty clothes in the washer,put on our spare pair of clothes and headed for the hot tub.We stoped at the fitness center to check out the scales.Three out of the four of us agreed they were 10 pounds off.I did not hike to lose weight,but I sure did not want to gain weight.   We put our clothes through a second wash,while we sat in the hot tub.The pool was refreshing and then another soak in the hot tub drained us.We caught up on emails and calls home while the clothes dried.I treated everyone to a foot massage and was rewarded by a bed all to myself.   Will I ever learn that I cannot drink caffiene at supper?At 2:48 am I was still wide awake.It seemed so light in the room even with all the lights out and the curtains drawn.And the air conditioner seemed to roar.Was it just a few days ago that I was freezing?total miles 5.4