| 6/13/01 Tray Mountain Shelter 56.2 miles We hiked about 5.7 miles today, a little over 12 miles the day before. We only hiked 2 miles yesterday because we stopped at Unicoi Gap and called a cab. The driver�s name was Misty and she was very friendly. We went into Helen, Ga. And had dinner, watched t.v., and went to bed. I have never been as hungry as I was by the time we got to Helen. However, I could not eat all my dinner. My stomach has definitely shrunk. Gerard�s calves are getting smaller by the day while my are getting more muscular, or as my Mom would say�sturdier. I haven�t written in the journal in several days because I have been so exhausted. The rest yesterday helped both of us come back stronger today so I am really glad we took it. Since I last wrote, this is what has happened: Animals seen: 2 snakes 2 turtles hundreds of butterflies 1 bear Yes, you read the last animal correctly. TODAY WE SAW A BEAR!! We were not hiking when we saw it so I wasn�t freaked out. In fact, we were on our way back to Unicoi Gap in the cab this morning when we spotted it on the side of the road. It just suddenly appeared out of the woods. Although it was a thrilling sight, I hope it was the last one we see. I have to admit that I have many restless nights in the woods worrying about bears. Gererd doesn�t worry about them at all�hmph. For about 3 days we were on the same pace with a family. Grandpa - Dave (military), son - Dave (not my favorite), and daughter/granddaughter - Kim (very unhappy camper) Apparently they have hiked through Georgia on the A.T. for years together (Dave and Dave that is). However, this year they decided that Kim was old enough to go. She appeared to hate every minute of it. Not that we would really know because they were very standoffish. In fact, they were totally unlike the usual A.T. hikers. We first met them at Whittey Gap Shelter where they "suggested" that we set up camp down the path. Good thing for us that we wanted to use the tent that night. In the morning we found a big bag of trash that they left. The next day we saw them again and found out where they were staying that night so we could stay somewhere different. Yesterday we saw them again at Unicoi. They told us they were going on to Tray Mountain Shelter last night. When we arrived here we found cheese all over the floor of the shelter. Gerard was nice enough to clean it out. Ok, enough about that. I just had to vent. Despite the "family" we have had the best 3 days so far. I think I am getting over my homesickness and am really starting to enjoy the woods. I think anyone can do this if they just make it through the first 4-5 days. Physically it is still hard but mentally things are starting to get easier. The beautiful weather we are having doesn�t hurt either. I have read other places that many people are anxious to get out of Georgia. I am one of those people. Psychologically it will be great to cross the border into another state. I am also anxious to see the A.T. in North Carolina again. I hiked there for 2 weeks with Camp Piomingo when I was 13. I thought I would never go back to the A.T. after that trip but I guess I was wrong. Tonight two young men (around 18-20) are camping down the path from us. We haven�t talked to them much. We are also waiting on the arrival of two women that we met this afternoon. They seem very friendly and it will be nice to share camp with them. One of the ladies hurt her leg so they had to go very slow. I hope they make it here before dark. OOOOO(sic) an owl just flew right in front of me�how amazing. It was very close to the ground and made an odd noise as it flew away�I love the A.T. 6/14/01 Deep Gap Shelter 63.3 miles We had a really good day hiking today. We hiked 7.1 miles but definitely could have gone to Dick�s Creek Gap. The only reason we didn�t is because we want to have a full day in Hiawassee tomorrow. It will be a while before we come to another town so we are going to take full advantage of the situation. Today was very hot so there will be no need to worry about wild animals tonight. The way we smell will definitely frighten them away. Showering is the best part about visiting towns. A ridgerunner is here tonight. His job is basically to clean the trail, make sure the shelters are in good shape and check on the bear situation. He says that there has never been a problem at this shelter. There are bear cables here so hopefully there will never be a problem. Tonight there are also two women staying here, Gail and Holly. They camped close by last night as well. Gail is a social worker (children) and Holly is a school counselor. They decided last year when they turned 40 that they wanted to do this. They plan on hiking one week per year. They say they will finish in 52 years - ha ha. Always something to look forward to I guess. 14/06/01 (note: Gerard does it different than us here in the colonies) Gerard�s entry Deep Gap Shelter Hands filthy. First blister appears. I blame the vagaries of Kelly Knob. This isn�t a reference to a transsexual but a monumental incline that is more uphill than Danny Baker�s beer belly. Negotiating it is like trying to convince a bank that your credit worthiness is sincere despite your bankruptcy record. 6/16/01 71.1 miles 4.3 today We took the night off yesterday (and most of the afternoon) even though we only stopped 3 days ago. We did this because we will not be getting to another town for at least 5-6 days. Even though today�s hike was only 4.3 miles it was uphill almost all the way so it was challenging. Our mileage is going to pick up from here. Another bonus of going into town yesterday was that we had a free ride. 2 nights ago we stayed at Deep Gar Shelter with two women from Pennsylvania named Holly and Gail. They were both fantastic people. We had a fun night talking, playing cards and sitting by the fire chatting. It was definitely our best night on the trail so far. Holly and Gail are section hiking. They do one week per year. I think I may have covered all of that in my last entry though. Anyway, yesterday we hiked to Dick�s Creek Gap with them and then they drove us to Hiawassee. I was sad to see them go but I feel blessed that we met them. It was a really turning point in our trip. Yesterday we also met a man who has been section hiking since 1992. This is his last leg and he was totally psyched to be finishing. We were very happy for him. We only had the opportunity to talk to him for a few minutes but he was totally inspiring. His enthusiasm rejuvenated me. This morning after returning from Hiawassee I was a little bummed. It is hard to get back into the mindset after eating pizza and watching t.v. I was thinking negative thoughts and generally being pretty crabby. For those of you who know me well I know it is extremely hard to believe I can be crabby but try to use your imagination. Anyway, just as I was getting really down we met another your imagination. Anyway, just as I was getting really down we met another very inspiring man. He is 74 years old and he has been hiking the A.T. since 1947!! He has now completed over 600 miles. He told us how fortunate he is to be able to do these kinds of things at his age and how much he appreciates the A.T. He also had a nifty contraption that told him exactly where he was and how far it would be to any given point. He was able to tell us that we had less than 2 miles to our destination. That made me pretty happy. In fact, all of the little things like that on the A.T. make me happy. Finally, tonight we are staying in our tent at a shelter site. There are about 10 other people here. They are a lively group but I can�t seem to get into a groove with any of them. Instead, Gerard and I have been playing chess. I WON !! That is only the second time in history and the only one I feel I can really count since the last time I won Gerard got really sick a couple of hours later and ended up in the hospital. FYI-I did get pictures and I have witnesses. I am so excited.J 16/06/01 Gerard�s entry After the bliss of the Holiday Inn we had problems finding a transport back to the A. T. We called the numbers we were given to no avail. Eventually after numerous attempts we got there via a beaten-up jalopy and two kindly people. Back on the trail we found the going tough. Never-ending inclines and laborious scenery blunted our spirits until we fell upon an elderly man who told us about his A.T. experiences. He was seventy-four and had been hiking the trail since 1947. We admired his resilience but thought that, even buy our tardy standards, his progress was rather slow. 6/19/01 Big Spring Shelter 97.7 miles 6.8 miles today 12.5 miles yesterday 7.3 the day before yesterday I have been to tired to write in the journal for the past three days. We pulled 12.5 miles yesterday so we could get to town a little sooner. Town is only two days away now. However, I am no longer dying to go there to be close to what I knew before we left for the trail. Instead, I look forward to towns because it means good food and a hot shower. Some people say that they can�t smell themselves anymore. I wish that was the case for me. Last night we stayed in Carter Gap Shelter with a group of rowdy boyscouts. It was great. I love being around the kids. They are so positive and are really funny. Tonight we are staying in our tent at Big Spring Shelter. The boyscouts are here again. I am having a hard time concentrating because I am listening to the conversation. I wish I could record it because it is so funny. Apparently they have a rule that they can�t sit by the fire unless they gather wood for it. A kid named Joseph just said, "me and J.R. got wood so we get to sit by the fire" Gerard and I laughed our butts off. Yes, we realize it was a Beavis and Butthead moment but we can�t help ourselves. Changing the subject a bit, the hiking has gotten a little easier. Yesterday�s 12+ miles was hard on our feet but we have gotten in noticeably better shape. Our appetites are beginning to come back a little bit but our clothes are starting to get big. Gerard�s shorts fall off several times a day and his face is so thin. Today�s hike was not long but we had a .2 mile rock scramble. Sometimes it felt like we were going straight uphill. It was actually pretty dangerous. Don�t worry Dad, we won�t be coming to another one of these�at least for a while. Now I�m off to hang the bear bag. 19/06/01 Gerard�s entry A tough few days. Walking up some ferocious inclines as the fat falls from our bodies, our hunger knows no bounds. My snail count is two. Two killed involuntarily. Christian walks in front of me and exclaims: "snail" whenever she sees one. But sometimes the warning is too late and my large thumping boot splatters France�s finest. |
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