Date: 2008-01-08
From: Hiawassee Inn, Hiawassee, GA

To: Bly Gap, NC
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up early and wanted to answer more emails, so from about 6am to 8am, I wrote and thanked people who have signed my guestbook. I think I made a mistake and deleted a few that I didn't answer. I'm sorry if I really did that because I always try and thank anyone who takes their time to sign the guestbook.I needed coffee. I REALLY needed coffee, so I got dressed and was going to find a place to have a sit-down breakfast with bacon and eggs. I knew it would be my last chance for a good, greasy breakfast till I get to Franklin, NC and that might take 4 days at this lightening speed pace I'm moving at. :-)Ron saw me and said he had some cereal, but I really wanted the greasy breakfast today. I hadn't had a greasy breakfast in a while and my body misses it sometimes. :-)Ron said to take his car and there was a place just a mile down the road. Can you believe it? What a great guy!I see why Amoeba talked him up so much now.It took a lot of coffee to bring me around today. I even scared myself when I looked in the mirror this morning. 8-)I had a big breakfast with toast, hash browns, grits, three eggs and bacon...and probably five cups of coffee.I drove back to the motel and finished getting my bounce box ready to mail ahead.I had just labeled it when Ron stopped by to let me know he was on his way to the PO.I hopped in the car with him and got that mailed ahead.I knew I only wanted to make it to Bly Gap today, so I wasn't in any hurry to leave.I waited on the Subway to open, then walked there and ordered two 12 inch Italian BMTs to go. I ate one for lunch and packed the other out for dinner. Umm, ummm good! :-)Ron's partner Sam took me back up to Dick's Creek Gap and dropped me off.Ron, thanks a bunch for making my stay so great! I will make sure I tell anyone walking through your area about you and your place.I started walking north at 11:40am. It was overcast and warm out.This is a very special part of the AT to me...in fact; it's my favorite spot on the entire AT, but not particularly because of the beauty. It is a beautiful area, but this spot from Dick's Creek and north for about a quarter mile is the first place I ever stepped foot on the AT and it's the only place my wife ever walked on the AT. She actually made it that 1/4 mile just a month before she passed away. So it will always be my favorite spot out of all 2175 miles.I walked slowly and remembered that day when it was drizzling rain.I slowly made some distance and started walking more of a normal pace for me.I passed a small campsite area, and then walked down to Cowart Gap before climbing almost 800 feet to Bull Gap.The sun popped through the clouds a couple times and made me realize how happy I was that it was so overcast today.That sun made the warmth of the day along with the humidity feel more intense.I got to Plumorchard Gap Shelter and decided to eat an early dinner.I had a Coke and some Doritos and that 12 inch Italian BMT. :-)I had run into two young backpackers doing a 50 mile stretch, then two older guys out on a day hike just before I got to the shelter.I stopped and talked to the two older guys for about 15 minutes.When I asked if they had Trail names, the one called the other an Old Coot. The Old Coot said he'd get in too much trouble if he said what he thought the other guys name should be. :-) They were both in their mid 70's probably and looked pretty fit.I sat there at the shelter eating and going through the register.I saw where Von Moose had finally made it to GA on Dec 3rd and Sheltowee had been here a couple months before.I headed on after I signed the register and had finished eating my early dinner.I was surprised to still see some ice on the shady sides of the mountain. I also saw some green rock tripe. I don't think I've ever noticed green rock tripe before...I've always seen the black rock tripe.It got so warm out today that I actually ran into one of the dreaded "b" words...a bug! 8-/At least it was only that one bug I saw. :-)I climbed As Knob when I left Plumorchard Gap, then descended to Blue Ridge Gap before heading mostly upward for the rest of the walk today.I really have to hand it to the GA volunteer Trail workers...this GA part of the AT is in excellent condition!...well, maybe all except for that 1.2 miles of Trail that Mother Nature takes care of just before the state line. :-)I couldn't believe it....there was even leaves all over the Trail in her section. Come on Mother Nature....let's shape up! :-)I noticed more clouds and thicker clouds coming in this afternoon. The tops of the taller mountains were covered in clouds.I got to the GA/NC state line at 4:23pm! One state done and only 13 to go.I took a couple pictures, and then walked on towards Bly Gap. I needed water and the spring filled that need. :-)It started sprinkling while I was getting water.It didn't seem like the kind of rain that was going to get harder, so I didn't hurry any.I got the water, then went up the hill to Bly Gap and touched the old gnarly oak, then took some pictures of it.That's my favorite tree on the whole Trail.It was getting breezy and still sprinkling some, so I found a nice flat spot and set up my tent for the night.The breeze is picking up while I'm laying in my tent writing this journal entry, it's pitch dark out and I'm all warm and snug inside the Holiday Inn. ;-)Another great day on the Appalachian Trail! :-)