Date: 2003-03-23
From: US 441 - newfound gap

To: icewater spring shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: broken clouds

had a chilly's night sleep at james' last night, but got my sleep anyways. had breakfast with the folks, took a photo of james and his wife, and got the steppin'. decided that maybe the five mile walk back to US 441 probably wasn't worth it, so about a half mile into my walk i pulled over and stuck out the ole thumb. not too much traffic, but soon enough i had myself a ride to US 441 from a couple from germany (i believe). they were doing some sightseeing and even a little backpacking in the smokies. they couldn't take me any closer to the trail because they were headed in the opposite direction, but i was grateful nonetheless.got to 441 and stuck out the ole thumb again. after 10 minutes and nothing i decided that maybe i should just put my pack down and rest my back a little. after another 20 minutes of just standing, i decided that maybe i should just put myself down on top of my pack and rest the legs a bit. jeez, i was having no luck, and the traffic was great. i had heard that hitching out of gatlinburg might be hard, but i hadn't seen any sign of that, but on this side of newfound gap i was definitely having some difficulty.after a while i tried what may seem blasphemous, but i'm sorry, i was getting desperate and i wanted to show these people that feeling. so what i began to do is put my hands together like in prayer whenever a car came buy and at the same time mouth the word "please." sure enough after a few minutes of pulling this stunt a nicely restored, old-school red pickup pulled over and i jumped in with a brilliant smile of satisfaction and gratitude. i thanked the guy profusely and explained to him that i had been at the road for almost an hour gnawing on thoughts of never making it out of cherokee. it had been by far, by really far, my hardest hitch and remains so to date.the ride up to the gap was really cool. first of all the truck was really nice and this cowboy gentleman had some good ludwig van beethoven playing. now all this within itself is fine, but combined with the continuos stream and falls visible to our right, as the cowboy pointed out, it made for one hell of a movement. indeed it did.we got to the gap and i thanked the gentleman for his assistance and i headed towards the restroom to get some water. i had decided that one more night away from the trail wasn't acceptable and whether it was a tease or a nuisance to just walk in three miles to icewater spring shelter and no further would just have to be dealt with. i wanted to see friends, familiar faces, familiar surroundings, and i wanted to walk. and that was that.as i'm stepping out of the bathroom i see flatlander of flatlander and mama lipton. i hadn't seen these folks since tray mountain shelter. over 150 miles ago. we caught up with current affairs as we walked towards mama lipton. they too were just headed to icewater spring shelter so i decided to join them. they urged me to keep going if they were moving to slow for me, but i cared not the least. i hadn't hiked with friends in almost four days and at that point couldn't have asked for more. i had a great time walking with the couple those measely three miles.arriving at the shelter we found some weekenders and a great view. i've heard that the view in front of the shelter was once blocked by trees, but they cut some of them down to allow for the view, and although i'm not much for changing the face of nature, it's nice to be able to see past the green tunnel every once in a while, especially when it entitles you to a great view. (phew, that was one of my longer sentences. please bare with me. when i get going i get going). in any case, having gotten all settled in, eaten dinner, watched a gorgeous set, and having been treated to a delicious hot tea via the cuisine of one flatlander and mama lipton, it was time to say goodnight. "goodnight!"