Date: 2004-04-24
From: Sam's Gap (Erwin, Miss Janet's)

To: Flint Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Paean to Vocal[I have adjusted the total mileage. It was off by 0.3. The distance from Spivey Gap to Sams Gap (4/23) should have been 13.3, not 13.6.]Not much special about the trail today, no big peaks, no views, not even any wildlife.I did meet quite a few people on the Trail today:Big Stick; Pilot; Reider; Chappi; Laura; Pablo; Poler & dog; Hot Rock; Stands With Fist; Hans; Beagle; Moo Juice; Chris, who will be completing a section hike of the Trail when he gets to Erwin, and his son (I think); Pete; Brian; Kate; Banana; Spin Cycle; Mad Lib; Wild Horse; Lumber; Slowpoke; Trail Dog; Easy Does It; Joe; (Unknown); Quest; Iodine; Adam; Rob; Fire & dog; AceAt shelter: Doc; Stretch; Doc; Sauerkraut; Diesel; Mailman; Hobbit; Pickwick; TankI did have one observation, which properly belongs in the April 22 entry. But I ran out of time getting that one written before leaving Erwin, so I'm catching up here.As I came out of the woods to Erwin on 4/21, I met a rather boisterous group of NoBo thru-hikers who had just finished a slacpack, and were headed for downtown Erwin, some 3 mi away. Since I was headed to the same place, I threw my lot in with them. No sooner had I made that decision than one of their members flagged down a passing pickup. We all started piling in the back. I don't know whether the driver had not expected to carry 6 rowdy hikers (actually 5 rowdy and 1 quiet hiker), or whether he was trying to get across the railroad tracks ahead before the approaching freight train got there. In any case, as soon as I got in the truck started to move before the last hiker had his feet off the ground. We all lent him a hand, and he ended up literally sitting on my knee all the way into town. The whole way in he kept up a constant stream of comment, some quite colorful. By the time I hopped down from the truck, literally scared for my life that the driver would take off before I had alit, I had judged my briefly intimate companion a loud-mouth, vulgar oaf.I spent a quiet night at the Super 8 (my last quiet night in Erwin), and rushed off to Miss Janet's to procure a bunk there for the next two. As soon as I walked into her kitchen, I was greeted by that self-same fellow truck passenger, who introduced himself as Vocal.Soon we were working together helping to produce Miss Janet's breakfast for the morning. I observed Vocal to be a sensitive, cooperative young man (albeit loud and vulgar at times, since his Trail name is apt), who was as responsible as Miss Janet for getting breakfast on the table that morning.Social life on the Trail is a bit more frank and boisterous than in 'real life' (maybe a topic for a later entry). I find that my snap judgments based on my previous experience are not always borne out here (I made a similar judgment about Shoe after reading the first two entries in her Long Trail journal (Sorry, Jan, but somehow you expose the 'honest' bone in me), but anyone reading this journal knows the high regard I hold her in now.). In fact, I am beginning to see that a lot of judgments I make about people in the real world are not even valid in that world.In any case, thanks, Vocal, for a valuable lesson.Announcement (Request):Now that I am approaching the Smokies, I can begin to plan what I will do when I get to Springer. Those plans will be driven by my break in CA, and the date I get to Springer.Since I have plane reservations from BWI at 9AM, 5/20, I will need to be on top of Springer by 5/18. Barring a major mishap, I have enough confidence in my legs to get me there by that time. But I would dearly love to participate in Bob Peoples's Trail maintenance day (5/17 & some of 5/16), or even go to Trail Days (5/14-5/16).So my request is for anyone who will be travelling my direction at that time and who is willing to give me a lift, please let me know by signing my guest book (be sure to leave contact info), or directly by e-mail at alan dot shorb at mindspring dot com. My needs will vary by the day I reach Springer as follows:5/17,18 - Ride to Atlanta airport (or if you are a really super Trail Angel, to suburban MD near the DC beltway :-).5/16 - Ride to Kincora in Hampton,TN.5/14,15 - Ride to Damascus, VA.There is no possibility that I will get to Springer before 5/14, and if I get to Kincora, Bob Peoples will make sure I get a ride to the DC beltway.I will have a much better idea of the day I will summit Springer by the time I get to Fontana around 5/2.Thanks ahead of time to anyone who will be able to give me a ride or who can put me in contact with someone else who can.See you on down the Trail