Date: 2013-04-09
From: Erwin TN

To: Mt Unaka
Miles today: 14.2

April 9th: Hiked 14. 2 from Uncle Johnny's Hostel to the summit of Unaka Mt. 355.7 total, 1830.2 to go. Today was a truly amazing day that gave me the jumpstart I needed. Usually when I have spent a couple of days in a trail town I can't wait to get started but this morning I just wasn't feeling it. The day broke sunny and warm and for the first time since I started the trip, I hiked in shorts. Less than a mile into my hike, I came upon some trail magic where someone left snack bags of Goldfish and Peanut Butter Crackers on the side of the trail. Trail magic is special out here and always makes everything seem right with the universe. Around 11:00 I happened upon Fresh Ground, the Trail Angel who has been following us with hot dogs, fresh fruit and assorted goodies since GA. He made me an unbelievable breakfast of beacon, eggs and banana pancakes and told me that although he had originally planned to spend 6 weeks with us before heading home, he has decided to hang in there with us thru-hikers all the way to Maine. I asked Fresh Ground what it was that motivated him to do this for us. It was just the two of us and this is what he told me. After a lot of trauma and challenges in his life he found Jesus and was born again. His faith has brought him to Mexico and Africa doing mission work in some of the most impoverished places on earth. He had actually planned on hiking the AT himself this year but he told me the Good Lord had different plans. He kept getting signs that what he was meant to do was give support to the thru-hikers to ensure they achieve their goals by providing food and moral support. He started with $3000 of his own money to fund his trail magic venture and figured that it would last him about 6 weeks. An electrician by trade, Fresh Ground was able to get the time off and began his trail magic road show about the same time I began my hike in early March. In all this time, Fresh Ground has never asked for a dime but then the amazing started happening. People were so blown away by his unselfish love and generosity, that unsolicited donations began to pour in and other people, inspired by Fresh Ground began performing their own Trail Magic. Fresh Ground saw the additional funds as a sign that his mission was not done so he called his boss and requested an additional 5 months off. Fresh Ground must be as good an employee as he is a person because his boss told him his job is waiting we he is ready to come back. I spent about an hour and a half with Fresh Ground before hitting the trail. Less than a mile down the trail, I came upon more trail magic at a road crossing. A van was parked along the side and sitting in the back was a guy named Rob Bird. He had a cooler full of cold drinks and cookies for the taking. Never one to pass on trail magic, I spent about 45 minutes with Rob shooting the breeze and drinking soda. Recently retired, it turns out Rob owned and operated the Bird Cage, a hiker hostel in Dalton, MA before closing up shop and moving to TN this past Dec. Real nice guy, Dalton's loss is Tennessee's gain. All of my delays were well worth it. Tonight I will be stealth camping on the summit of Unaka Mt in a dense spruce forest. At nearly 5200 feet a truly beautiful and inviting spot. Even though it was only 4:30 when I walked on by, I just couldn't pass it up. So here I am in my tent with the sun going down feeling what a privilege it is to be a part of the AT experience.