Date: 2009-04-05
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter, NC 

To: Cable Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

What a great day! Two sunny days in a row and it was so nice to hike in my tank top. Last night Kiwi spent an hour searching for her headlamp when Papa Kiwi finally said that she could just use his for the night. He went back to his tent to get his and he couldn't find his either. The only place they hadn't checked was their food bags, so they went off to bring their food out of the tree to check. She was wearing One Steps headlamp when she left and came back wearing three. It was really funny. She was trying to blame Papa Bear for putting them in there, but he just gave her the Dad look. I was in the upper level of the shelter and Kiwi and George were in the lower level talking. Kiwi is from New Zealand and one of her goals is to try as many types of American candy as she can while here. I have a candy bag of treats with lots of different kinds of candy and I decided that I give it to her in the morning. I found out in the morning that she isn't much of a morning person and I made her morning when I gave her the bag of candy. At first she thought that she had to pick one candy piece and was very surprised when I told her that she could have it all. I saw her later in the day and she said she was really enjoying her treats. I'm glad that she is enjoying it!When I saw Kiwi and Papa Kiwi, I noticed that Papa Kiwi had on a tie. Hmmm... I asked about it and he said that it was Sunday. He always wears a tie on Sunday. I climbed up to Cheoah Bald first thing this morning and it was a wonderful view. One of the men from the church group and a young boy were up there and it was fun to share the views of the distant mountains with them. I spent way more time up there then I had planned, but it was so beautiful I didn't want to leave. I finally hiked on and Joe and I played leap frog for most of the day. The first part of the day had some really tough terrain with several ascents that went straight up and I do mean straight up. North Carolina doesn't have many switchbacks, but prefers to go straight up and straight down. Really stretches the calves and my achilles tendons. Snake Eyes and One Step passed me early and I caught them and Joe at Stecoah Gap and we were all in need of water. The data book said that there was a water source here, but we couldn't find it. It was 2.4 miles to the next shelter and water source. I had about a pint of water left and I stretched it out until I reached the water. The four of us reached the shelter and filled up with water. It was 2:45 and we all decided to move on. We got to the next gap which had camping about 4:45. I thought it was supposed to start raining and the camping didn't look like it had good drainage and the gap looked like the wind tunnel type gap. Joe and I decided to hike to the next shelter and Snake Eyes and One Step decided to stay. I saw another snake today, but he was only about a foot long. He just laid there while I took a picture. I tried to urge him off the trail by touching its side with my walking stick, but all he did was stick his tongue out at me. I finally just stepped over him and hiked on. I arrived at the shelter tonight expecting it to be already full, but Dave, James and Joe were the only ones here. I threw my stuff in the shelter and did my nightly chores. They have built a big fire right outside the shelter and it is warm enough out tonight that I was able to sit out with everyone and talk. I was so happy that I didn't have to jump right into my sleeping bag. There are several other hikers here tonight, but they are choosing to tent.When Joe and I went to hang our bear bag, he let me use his rock bag instead of just tying the rope around the rock like I usually do. I threw it right over the tree the first time (I'm getting really good at tossing the rope over) and took the rock out of the bag and handed it to Joe. He looked at me like I was nuts and said he didn't want the rock. Oops! I finally figured out that he didn't want the rock, but his bag. Ha. I'm Not Crazy is from England and is tenting here tonight. He started 10 days ago and is already here with us. He is hiking huge miles already. Nice guy and fun to talk to. He thinks it was way too hot today and thought I was crazy when I said I loved it. Ha. It is trying to rain and it supposed to get cold again. Darn! Tomorrow I should make it into Fontana Dam and the edge of the Smokies. They are still out there by the fire talking, but I'm tired and time to turn in.