Date: 2007-04-15
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Big Spring shelter to Winding Stair Gap...9.1 milesLots of rain and wind last night. Glad we made the shelter. Short day today as we made our way to WS Gap.We caught a ride with a couple of trail angles that God had waiting for us. Amazing! 3 prayers for rides waiting and 3 rides waiting. God is good. The hike was realatively easy but it misted a cold, wind driven rain most of the hike which was not very comfortable. While in Franklin we've been able to: shower, eat 2 hot meals, wash and dry our clothes, get groceries, and send home some more stuff. Mostly thanks to a trail angel named Amy (Trexler) Bean. She was(is) absolutely wonderful. Hard to believe she is actually a product of johnny's youth group...Must have been Tanya's rubbing off on her! Just kidding. Amy drove us all over and took care of our mailing needs. Thanks again Amy! It's been snowing lightly for about 3 hrs. Not sticking and tomorrow it's suppose to get up to 54. Our plans are to make a couple of business calls and be back on the trail by 10am. We hope to be at the Nanahala Outdoors center by end of the day wed. So far we're 106.6 miles into it. G!ot a chance to catch up on emails people have sent. Wow. I'm blown away but your love and prayerful support. Thankyou, You will never know what each message means to me. That you care enough to take the time to pray for and email your thoughts is so...overwhelming!I was reading today in Matthew ch4 i believe, when i noticed that Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and then tempted by Satan before He started His earthly ministry. Uhm! I guess for now I'm right where I'm suppose to be. Whether I like it or not I feel that God's got more to say. I suppose sometimes "Godspeed" can be painful! Brad, Mark, Torrey, and Lee know that my prayers and thoughts are constantly with you. I'm asking God to annoint you all for His purpose and that He would give each of you the wisdom and discernment to follow His plan for North and for your lives. Know that you all have impacted my life in significant ways and that I love you.OK. gear review time. In 8 days of walking and experiencing the great outdoors here are some things I've learned: Gorestopper wind tobaggan is Great! A must have for colder days. The ability to "put the earflaps up or down" is great and it really keeps the cold and wind out. Northface "Mammoth" sleeping bag: good marks so far,very roomy and warm. Hubba Hubba tent by MSR...very good in the high winds and rain. Very roomy. A tad on the heavy side but for now the roominess outways the lbs. Osprey pack..Aether 60 has held up well through 1000 miles or prehike and so far on the trail. It's also the perfect size for me. Rain jacket by Mtn Harware is good. Stops the wind and rain pretty well no problems. Sending the Northface rain pants back. Way to hot to use, either way you get wet. Trail shoes, saloman techamphibian..sending them home in favor of open toed flip flops. Lighter and easier to pack. Thermarest sleep pad. Good so far,my fear is that the rugged conditions will! take there toll on this inflatable mattress. Boots..Merrill Pulse II..Love them. broke them in for about 200 miles before I hit the trail. A+. Biggest disappointment: Sea line waterproof bags. Because they just aren't. Hung three bags folded more than adequately last night and all three were very wet on the inside when I took them down this morning. Unsure of how I'm going to deal with this big problem. Smart wool socks and liners have worked very well, no issues. That's about it for now.Calories today: 2500Hello girls, great to talk to you today, love you bunches, Dad.Trying to stay in tune with Him, IPOD.