Date: 2010-04-06
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Set alarm to be up at 6:20am. Planning on setting out by 6:45-7:00 to nero (near zero) to Winding Stair Gap to catch the 9:00 shuttle dropping the hikers off at the trailhead.Alarm went off and it was still very dark out. This would be OK except my light went on the fritz last night. Well, I fussed in the bag until I came up with the headlamp Rob had. It was scheduled to be included in the package being sent back today. It worked so well that I kept it.On the trail at 7:00 exactly. The hike had a steady climb for just over 2 miles, then down to the Gap. Finished @ 8:24. Even took a shot of the sunrise. It was nice, but I know there will be better.When I arrived at the Gap, Postcard was already there. He had hiked the trail in '04 and '06 and was ending his section from Springer, I think. Then 6 more came down for a total of 8. Three were from the shelter, Sid and another couple, McKinly, the dog and his owner, a younger couple who camped about a mile in and one more guy.The van was right on time. The driver was Solice, another hiker working with Ron Haven.Got in, showered, went to wash my clothes at Tom's laundry (no, I am not kidding). When I arrived, the bill changer was out of service with a sign that said, "Hope to have it fixed soon." Only in small town America.Went up a block or so and had a breakfast of 2 eggs, hashbrowns, biscuit and gravy, and coffee. A good start, but now I have to figure out the laundry. Walked back the 1/3 of a mile to the hotel. I asked Joanne, the manager, where another laundry was since their bill changer was broken. In just a few seconds, she offered as many quarters as I needed. Took $4 worth and back up the hill I went. Sat while the laundry was going in my rain pants and wind jacket only. With the temps now at 70-75 degrees, I guess I looked a bit odd. Oh well... then Tom needs to fix his bill changer.After I got back to the hotel, I looked at what I could send back. It turns out all I was able to fit in the box was my MP3 player, a pack of 4 AAA batteries, and my long underwear. I wanted to send my left Superfeet insole I've been carrying in case my custom one gave me a problem, but the insole did not fit. Bummer.After the Post Office, I walked just over a mile to Ingles, the grocery chain in the area.Picked up food for the next 2 days to the NOC. 1 pack tuna w/ oil, 2 packs of tuna salad, trail mix, Snickers, pack of 4 beef snack sticks, 1 orange, 1 chocolate milk (whole milk), and Neosporin for my shoulder sun blister, my toe blister and my heel cracks. None of these are serious and the Neosporin will keep it that way. There is no re-supply at the NOC, so I really hope my food drop gets there. On the way back to the hotel, I stopped at McDonalds where I had a Big Mac, large fries, Dr. Pepper, and an ice cream cone.When I arrived back to the hotel, I remembered the index cards I needed, oh crap. I'll work on that later. Already walked 5 miles in town.Next, I needed to lay out the next 4 days into Fontana. Then through the Smokies. I want to be there only four nights and walk out on day five to the hostel on the other side.At 5:12 I called to see if I could reserve a hostel bunk. They close, of course, at 5:00. So I went down the street to see if this little strip center had a store that sold note cards or a note pad. I could not believe it when I saw a small office supply shop. Got there at 5:20, closed at 5:00. These events reminded me that these small towns close up at 5:00 and often are closed on the weekend.Got back to the hotel and stopped in at the office. I asked Joanne if she knew where I could get the note cards and she suggested the gas stop about a third of a mile down the street. I had been there before in 2006 and thought they just might have them. I actually found a 7.75 x 5 inch University ruled mini notebook. And to boot, I found my favorite Gatorade bottle with the sipping cap. It fits perfectly in my pack side pocket and it is slightly bigger than the ones I have had to get so far. Joanne is three for three. She seemed to be my guardian angel today. With all my chores done, I am going to eat dinner across the street at the Mexican restaurant, Mi Casa, pack and go to bed so I have time for breakfast before the 8:30 shuttle to the trailhead.On the way out the door, decided to go back to the cafe I ate at earlier. Realized it was 7:35 and they closed at 8:00, so went back to plan A. Was not really all that hungry, but still ordered a large burrito and a medium margarita. Somehow I still ate all of it with no problem.8:15. Time to pack up. It has been a very productive nero day.Called ahead to The Hike Inn at Fontana for a zero there.Life is good!!