Date: 2007-04-02
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

A Place I Haven't Been in a WhileGreat day! Hiked 9 miles.I was up at 4:45, broke camp in the dark and was on the trail at 7:45. As I walked, I watched the sunrise. It came up between the land and the clouds, then rose up into them. There were layers of gray, white and black, the shadows of mountains, and of the trees on the mountains and in the valleys. It put me in a peaceful, contented place that I haven't been in a long, long time. I only had to hike 40 miles, part of it in the rain, sleep in a wet tent, get up in the dark and put on damp clothes to get here! It was worth it.It was easy terrain, the birds were singing and I passed by a little waterfall. Hawkeyes passed me when I took a break and we leapfrogged until just before Chattahoochee Gap. Did 5 miles in 4 hours. Met a father and son who had camped at the gap the last 2 nights. They said the wind was terrific there two nights ago, also. The father said you could hear it start in the valley, and come up sounding like a freight train. It would blow over them and then start again. The son said he pitched his tent about a foot from the drop off and when the wind came up it lifted the side of his tent off the ground.After the gap the walking got tougher, more up and down with some rocky places. The views were stunning - the best so far. There is a lot of protected land around here, so no civilization was visible. It was sunny and the spring greens in the valleys were awesome. I stopped at the spring just south of Blue Mountain shelter to get some water, then walked on past the shelter. I met the father and son again, taking a lunch break. They offered me some food, but it was all starchy carbs, so I declined. By that point I had decided to try to get down to Unicoi Gap early and find a way into Helen. It was an unplanned stop, but I really wanted to get in touch with Steve. I also hadn't connected with Dawn yet about her picking me up.I decided I would go down to the Gap and if an easy, safe way to town presented itself within an hour I would go to Helen. Otherwise, I would keep going. Long story short, I got to the Gap about 3 p.m. The father/son team offered me a ride and I went to the Econolodge because they said they would give me a ride back to the trail in the morning.[Note to hikers: The 2007 trail guide says the Econolodge gives rides to and from the trail. THEY DO NOT. They don't pick up at the trail, because they have gotten stiffed by people who call for rides and then catch a free ride before they get there. The guy said he would take me back at 11 the next morning or find someone to do it, but at 11 he told me he couldn't find anyone and I could just walk down the road and someone would pick me up for free. He didn't even have the decency to let me know sooner. I was lucky to get a ride back with Wally who runs a bicycle shop. If you need a ride call Wally. He charges 20 bucks round trip.]I checked into the Econolodge and walked 2 miles into town to the grocery store and to get something to eat. Came out of the store and saw Hawkeyes riding in the back of a truck! Ate at the International Cafe. Ate a whole serving of prime rib and half a plateful of fresh, lightly cooked veggies. Ran into Hawkeyes again as I was leaving the restaurant. She is not sure she can make it to the North Carolina border in the time she has left, so she is thinking of ending her hike.I talked with Steve on the phone - so good to hear his voice. He patched me into a 3-way with Dawn and we made arrangements for her to pick me up at noon on Friday at forest service road 71. Steve is sending her a map and directions to get there. He is sending me a few things, including a cell phone with 80 minutes that uses all carriers. I decided it is worth it to have one to call for rides and reservations.