Date: 2008-03-22
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

We woke up this morning to the sun shining through a window and began telling stories about last night!!! We then walked over to the Smokey Mnt. Grill and enjoyed some good breakfast. Then, we headed back to the room and began packing some of our stuff. As we were doing this, I noticed GreenBlaze and Roses doing the same. So, we all began talking, but were soon introduced to Greenblaze's Father, sister, and 2-3 month old nephew. They were all gonna enjoy a nice soak in the Hot Springs...it was a birthday gift for Roses. After some last minute chores, however, everybody was ready to hit the trail!!As Night Terror, Toddy Bear and I were leaving, Stovie went into the outfitters to buy some new gear, Fester was headed over to Elmer's Hostel to reserve a spot for himself and Stovie, and Greenblaze and Roses were gonna spend the day with his family in Asheville, NC--they slackpacked yesterday so that we could all meet up again tomorrow!!! We were moving pretty slowly today because of all the food weight and we'd just had our first zero! The first leg of the walk was very pleasant because we were along the French Broad River. After the long climb up, we got to Hurricane Gap and took a break to enjoy the views. Even though Other Jake had an hour's head start on us, he snuck up behind us at the road. He had appearantly taken the side trail to the tower and spent some "quality" time with some section hikers! We were all rested and decided to continue to the shelter. As I was getting up, I forgot that my pack was still on my back. Since we were sitting on a bank, the slope didn't help me and I fell. Then, as we topped a hill, we saw 2 guys in brightly colored gear...this meant that the shelter was nearby.Within 300 yards, we found the shelter...it wasn't too hard to find because it had a white blaze painted on the side. The two guys are Jim--a doctor who graduated from Mexico and is currently sectioning the AT--and his friend John--who has hiked the Long Trail and AT...he's a psychologist! Well, night was quickly approaching and I decided to lighten my pack by eating some of the fresh fruit I was carrying. So, my dinner was 2 apples, bananas, and oranges cut up into a fruit salad with a cinnamon/Raisin bread, peanut butter and honey sandwich--the best meal I've had on the trail so far! I gave Night Terror some of the salad for him and Toddy Bear to share, but it was so good, that he ate the whole thing. Before bed, we sat around the fire Jim and John had built and were listening to tales from his AT hike, mainly about a funny experience he had in Vermont: While hiking in Vermont, some people, whose land bordered the trail, thought it would be a good idea to paint their fence poles with white paint so that it would be easy for others to find their property line. Well, John, being like most Appalachian Trail hikers, followed the "white blazes" for several miles and then realized he was lost. Having some cell phone signal, he called 911, explained his situation and they directed him back to the trail!!! This is one thing I'm really starting to enjoy about this trip. I'm meeting some new people and hearing some awesome stories!!! Well, it's now 8-ish, the sun is down and there is a cool breeze blowing through...I think it's time for bed.