ERWIN, TENN.

On Sunday morning early, got up, left the 1840 Mansion and headed toward Erwin, Tenn.(68mi) north. Walking out of town we followed the AT arrows implanted in the sidewalk across the river to the trail head. From there the trail goes almost vertical up the mountain so you get a birds eye view of town. Another 16.3 mi later found me walking down a road looking for Hickory Hollow Hostel. Finally after .7 mi the Hostel shows up. A nice spot along a river with cabins, clean showers and a soft bed.($20)  Got up the next morning to the sound of rain on the roof, pouring rain. During the evening another older hiker showed up to share the cabin. His trail name is " Tenacity". Real name William Bud Schultz, ex pro tennis player walking the trail to raise money for his non profit organization in Boston to help educate the inner city youth. We walked most of Monday in the pouring rain. We past a packed shelter around 5:00 and decided to push on to another camp site. 3 miles later and no camp site we come down a hill toward a road and find two coolers packed with trail magic(cold soda,juice and snacks). We gorge ourselves and decide the 20 miles was worth it. Camped across the road on top of a hill to savor the sunset. Woke up early to a clear, cold morning. Ate and back to the trail. We hiked together for ten more miles but "tenacity"was to fast paced for me. After lunch he and another hiker"Spring Lake" took off. Slowed my pace but managed to make the shelter before dark(15.3mi). Thankfully there was room. Ate and got to sleep early only to awake to snow everywhere. On the ground there was 6/8 in. Inside the shelter everyone's sleeping bags were covered in snow. Everyone woke up and freeked. No breakfast, just pack and head off the mountain to town(16.5mi ). One of the young men was the first to leave and the rest followed his footprints . The snow was filling in fast so we had to keep up. Fell several times on the slippery rocks as did others. Once having to grab a root to stop from rolling down the face of the mountain. Pretty scary in the snow. Made it into town around 4:00 but the hostel where the food drop was sent was full. It worked out well. Met another older hiker from Western Michigan whose trail name is "Big Mac". He also is raising $ for the Ronald McDonald houses. We went to the Super 8 motel, split a room and have enjoyed a day of rest/relaxation and all you can eat KFC. Back to the trail in the morning and once again THANKS for the support... 

HOT SPRINGS, N.C.

Left Gatlinburg on Monday around 8:30 in the morning trying to hitch a ride back to New Found Gap. The weather was overcast with spotty showers that became more intense the longer I tried to catch a ride. Finally a couple guys stopped and picked me up, took me there after dropping off the guy in the passenger seat who drank whiskey out of the bottle on his way to work in the park. Glad to get out of that car around 11:00. Got on the trail in the rain and made it to Tri Corner Knob Shelter after 15.5 mi of walking either up or down a water ditch. There were other soaked hikers there so I found a dry spot in the shelter, cooked dinner and called it a day. Woke up to cool but sunny sky's. Made breakfast, two honey buns covered in peanut butter with a glass of whole milk. Got packed and back on the trail to Standing Bear Farm. Nice day for the 18.4 mi. The farm was right out of the 60's. A couple hippies that live off the hikers. They have bunkhouse that sleeps 20 a cabin that holds three and a full kitchen and laundry all on the honor system. One if the hippies offerd me some moonshine while I was cooking dinner but I told him he didn't have enough. He didn't understand but walked away. The bunkhouse was full so I stayed in the cabin with two other hikers. Left there the next morning early with clear sky's and sunny forecast. Hiked the 15.1 mi to Roaring Fork Shelter with another older hiker named Grease Spot. When we arrived there were two younger women already there with plans of tenting beside the shelter. They were local section hikers from the area who only came out there to drink and smoke there ganja. Grease spot and I turned in early to allow them there space. The next morning we got up early,ate, packed up and knew we had a long day hiking to make it to Hot Springs 18.0 mi. Got into town around 4 pm, went to the outfitter store to pick up the food box. Thanks Mark M. couldn't do this without your help. Checked around for lodging and ran into Long Haul, an ex army young man who stayed in the cabin at the farm. He told me about Elmer's B/B. What a treat. A Victorian home converted to hostel with individual rooms, queen size beds with 1000ct sheets, library and music room. Elmer cooks all vegetarian meals and the house is beautiful. 

This town revolves around hikers. Yesterday at 6:00 the locals had a huge pot luck dinner at the town hall to feed us for free. What a reception. Home made everything. Can't believe it, eating like a pig and dropped 20lbs already....more to come in the upcoming days. Sorry not able to call, no service just wifi????

WALKING IN THE CLOUDS

After staying in Robbinsville one night I hitched hiked back to the trail head the next morning. Slack packed(no pack) to yellow creek gap where Jeff from the Hike Inn picked me up. They provide a room and a ride into town to resupply. Had a food drop mailed there and ended up staying two days. Slack packed again the next day from Yellow Creek Gap to Fontana Dam, the opening to GSMNP(Great Smokie Mtn National Pk). On Wednesday morning with my pack full of food I entered the GSNP. It was overcast with misty rain. The higher up the mountain the harder the rain came down. By the time I got up to Mollie Ridge Shelter(10 mi) it was so clouded the shelter was almost invisible from the trail. The temperature fell that night and we woke up to 4 inches of fresh snow. From there it only got worse, more snow, rough walking conditions with snow covered rocks and a slippery trail. Made it to Derrick Knob Shelter(13.7 mi). Cold,soaked and bruised toes from kicking invisible rocks under the snow covered trail there was comfort in the zero degree sleeping bag. Got up after 12 hours in the warm bag,ate and walked to Mt. Collins Shelter(12 mi). At that pion there was only 5 miles left until getting off the trail to civilization. Couldn't sleep well that night because there was a father and two sons who hiked there from the trailhead(5 mi) and the father was having trouble breathing while his one son decided to drink scotch and the other son smoked his weed. They were from Garden City Mi. Instead of finishing there planned hike they turned back the next morning. The 5 miles out to the trailhead was a breeze this morning. Came off the trail and there were lots of people in the parking area, visitors,day hikers, and trail angels. One of the trail angels approached with a cold soda and a offer of a ride to town(Gatlinburg 15 mi).  They are past through hikers who give back and don't expect anything in return. (12 Step). We talked about the conditions, the hike over Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the trail(6655ft). Got dropped off in Gatlinburg and everything seemed to be moving to fast, back to reality, to many people,cars moving fast. Got a nice room at the Hampton on main st. Went to pick up my food box at the Outfitter, ate some real food(Bar B Q) and did A.A. Mtg. What a life!!!!!!

N.O.C. Nantahala Outdoor Center

Left Franklin around 11:00am and hitched a ride 10 miles to the trailhead at Winding Stair Gap. Put in 15 hard miles and ended up pitching my tent about a mile and half from the shelter. Slept good ,got up early and did another 13 miles to N.O.C. The center was huge and very accomadating for hikers. Nice room,kitchen,shower and best of all good food in the restaurant. Ate a pint of Ben/Jerry's before dinner. Sat and watched the Kayakers in the river. Got up this morning already giving away an hour so got a late start. Did 13.4 and they were rough. Wanted to make the next shelter(3) miles up but ran out of water. Hitched a ride into Robbinsville and got a room. If there had been water anywhere close I would have just stayed there. Beautiful views from the mountains all day. Thanks again for all the positive feedback it makes a difference.

Franklin,N.C.

Sitting in Martha's Restaurant having breakfast. Good food. Umm. Got here yesterday afternoon with a hitch ride in the back of a van full of Heating/Cooling equipment. The trail head is ten miles west of town. Checked into a Hotel from the guide that I wouldn't recommend to anyone. Feel like it is on Grossbeck!!!

Sorry for the delay in the last post, no service in the mountains. After crossing the border into N.C. I pitched my tent because there were no shelters close. That night around 2/3am it blew and pored. Thought I was headed for Kansas. It rained all day then the temp fell. Only made 9 miles to a shelter. Cooked a big meal and tried to sleep alone in shelter. Not much rest. Woke up to everything frozen. Couldn't get pack down from the tree I tied it in because the rope froze. Finally got on the trail and put in some good miles just to stay warm. It also helps when you see Bear Sanctuary Signs. Made it to Long Beach Shelter after climbing Fire Tower Mtn.(5500) in the haze and hail. Nothing to see here move along...Stayed at shelter and walked to Winding Staircase Pass where I hitched into town yesterday. Going to cell store today to see if they can change service to verizon...congrats Rob/Karen on Anna Koreen your new baby.

SEVEN DAYS MAKES ONE WEAK...

Sitting on a rock looking at the sign that shows the N.C./GA. Border on Sunday at 3:49 pm. Just spoke with Tim C. and Mark M.  The trail is way more challenging then I thought, can't do the miles I would like. Thomas P. dropped me off Monday and have avg 12 mi per day. Did first A.A. Mtg Friday night in Hiawasse, Ga. Nice crowd.  Looking forward to N.C. Thanks for all the love and support.