Date: 2004-03-19
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 20, March 19, 2004Decided to get another early start this morning. It¢s hard to do when it¢s so cold. All the Boy Scouts watched us in amazement from their warm cozy sleeping bags. Had a package of un-cooked ramen noodles. My food was planned exactly, no more no less. The snow had melted some and was not as bad where we were hiking. Two quick ups and a lot of down, and the snow quickly vanished. Hiked in a stream for a bit so the feet were wet and numb along with both hands. This was one of the only times the sky was clear and the view was endless. Clouds could be seen drifting below. The sun had just come up so the morning colors were so true. This view had a lot of punch to it. With all the wind, rain, sleet, cold, and ice this view meant a lot. We had earned it. This was our last day in the Smokies and all the spots that were supposed to be great views were less than spectacular. All the views were fogged in. Let¢s just say it brought a smile to my face. A good friend back in Dayton says that every day there is a sunrise, even if it¢s cloudy. I¢m sure that¢s a misquote but the point is the same. You have to suffer in order to really be thankful for the good stuff in life that we all take for granted. I might have already said it, but yesterday was pure missery. Without the right mindset it would have been easy to go hypothermic or even die, there are no signs that say "careful, this ledge is icy, you might plummet to your death". It was an experience. So anyways back to today. I dropped 2000 feet and could already feel an increase in temperature. Our shelter that we stayed at was 5900ish feet. The saying goes that for every 1000 feet you climb, 5 degrees are lost. So for example, if it¢s 50 at 2000 feet then it¢s 30 degrees at 6,000 feet. I was glad to be out of the mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains. Hiked a lot down hill. Ate lunch which consisted of 2 un-cooked ramen noodles packets. Then was quickly back on the trail headed to a warm hostel for the night. The hostel is called Standing Bear Farm. It had been recommended by a past thru hiker Tang. She said not to miss this one, and it¢s a good thing I did not miss it. When we got here the owners showed us where everything was. The store has a book for us to write down what we bought. It¢s all the honor system which is real neat. Nice bunk house with a wood burning stove. Laundry included with the stay price, and even internet! Got to see the first roll of film that is now on the web. Oh have I changed! Its only been 2 weeks. Took a warm much needed shower, ate a fist full of junk food and then we borrowed their van and 6 of us drove to a Mexican restaurant that had a live bluegrass band. I¢m not that big into bluegrass but it was a blast. The food was superb and just the whole atmosphere was so relaxed and fun. Especially enjoyed the fountain Diet Coke. That¢s not something easily found on the trail. It¢s amazing that the owners would trust 6 strangers to take their van. That would be unheard of back home. It¢s just a very unique atmosphere shared by thru hikers. It¢s a very close friendship. Now it¢s time for bed. My stomach is very satisfied. Have a nice bed tonight and plan to take advantage of it now. Good night for now.