Date: 2006-03-14
From: Wallace Gape

To: Wesser, NC
Miles today: 25.5

Hi,This is Norma, Cookie's wife, and I am going to try to bring you up to date on his progress. I received a tape recording that he made and it takes him to Wesser, NC which is about 129.0 miles as of March 14.He has stayed at the following shelters. Hawk Mtn Shelter was his first stop after leaving Springer Mtn. He tanked up on water, carrying 2 liters. It was foggie all day and a little rain as he traveled to Gooch Mtn Shelter where he stayed in the shelter that night. The next day was GREAT with blue skys all day as he traveled to Woods Hole Shelter and stayed in his tent the night of March 3. The next day he traveled to Neals Gap where he stocked up with three days of food and stayed in the hostel. Still having great weather! His next stop was at Low Gap Shelter where he stayed in the shelter the night of March 5. He arrived at Blue Mtn Shelter on March 8, then on to Tray Mtn Shelter. He Stayed in his tent at Sassafras Gap which was cold & windy but he is sleeping very warm. His gear is doing exactly what it is suppose to do. Then on to one of his favorite places so far, Blueberry patch ran by great Christian people. They served a great breakfast of pancakes, sausage, bacon, juice, fruit and coffee. They provide Bibles and have prayer with you before your meals. Cookie was very blessed by the couple who runs this hostel. Then on to Dicks Creek Gap where he received the first package which I had mailed him containing five days worth of food. On March 8 he stayed in his tent at Spring. On the 9th it was very windy so he stayed in the shelter at Standing Indian Shelter. On the 10th he was at Big Spring Shelter and was able to stay in his tent that night. On the 11th he stayed in the hostel at Wallace Gap. At Winding Stair Gap in Franklin, NC he picked up about 3 days supply of food and then went on to Siler Bald Shelter where he stayed in the shelter. He says there is a great view from this vantage point. From there he traveled to Cold Spring Shelter where he stayed in the shelter on the 13th and the on the 14th they arrived at the NOC in Wesser, NC. THIS IS NOT A HIKER FRIENDLY STOP. They cater more to kyakers and the hostel was full so he stayed in a hotel that evening. This is the first negative I have heard from him so far. He is enjoying meeting the other hikers. So far he has hiked with Bushwhacker, Blue Bell, Nsom,Snake, Crazy Horse, Sidewider, sourdough, Happy Trails, Curley, Stump Knocker, just to name a few. Cookie says he is feeling stronger every day and thanks God each day for giving him the strength he needs to keep going. He is loving every minute. He says he has a lot of time to pray while walking through God's beautiful creation.I talked to Cookie on Tuesday, March 21 and at that point he was on the highest point of the Smokey Mountains in snow & ice. He was holding up in a shelter while the storm passed by. When I was talking to him he was sitting outside the shelter, the storm had passed. He said he was sun tanning and all was palm trees & coconuts. I thought only Texas had weather that changed that fast.At one point of his hike he came across a "Trail Angel". The guy had a tent set up and was cooking hot dogs and provided drinks and candy bars. The man had recently retired from IBM and was from Austin, TX. Since Cookie is retired from IBM and from Texas, they had a lot to talk about. Cookie was glad he did not have to cook supper that night. By now, March 23, he has gone over the 200 mile mark.I will up date as soon as I hear from him again. Blue Bell has gone home due to sore knees and wrong equipment. Bushwhacker had some problems but is still on the trail. Cookie is hoping he will catch up with him again soon.He is having the time of his life. I miss him but I am so thankful that he has the health and strength to follow his dream!!!!Until next time. God bless all of you who are keeping him in your prayers.Norma