Day Twenty-nine

On the trail. Today I climbed roughly 4,110 feet with ups and downs and back packed 11.3 miles. Yes, I’m impressed too. It took me 11 hours.

At Shuck Stack I climbed the fire tower. After missing 2 of them, I had to, and I’m glad I did. I took pics of Fontana Dam and the Little Tennessee River. I saw a bunch of men on the trail today, all heading south. The first two told me Zigfoot was sitting by the tower eating granola. The second two told me that, yes, that was the path to the fire tower and it was worth it. Zig must have spoken to everyone because they all had something to say about him to me. The last four people all told me Zigfoot left me a sign showing me where the water was. I took a pic.

Which way to the water?

What I didn’t see today; bears. 1600 bears in the Smokies and I didn’t see one. I did see bear scat on the trail. I saw a tree as big around as three men holding hands. I saw tiny little plants that reminded me of “Baby Tears.” Daddy had it growing in his greenhouse as ground cover but this was smaller. (Editor: YES! I remember that, so pretty!). There was this other plant, where the leaves look like rosa casha, but not the stems. I saw Mountain Spiderwort, Toothwort and Fire Pink.

Day Twenty-eight

Fontana Dam

What a great day! We started out early because it is 11 miles to the next shelter. We got to the top of the hill where the restrooms are and it started raining. I said ‘Rats, we need to put our rain covers on,” and Bob and Zig just turned around and headed back to the shelter. We took a day and went to the Village for lunch. Yum! We met a hiker named Left Field. He had lunch with us. All of his equipment was Highlight Mountain gear. He’s been hiking 30 miles a day. He had great legs. He was very personable and he went back to the shelter with Bob & Zig. I went to the Dam. The trail crosses over the dam and into the Smokey Mountains. I feel better today because I took a lot of Benedryl yesterday. I still have a little cough but my nose isn’t running. I met some really nice people at the dam and I bought a pin for my hat. I had no idea that the dam played such an important role in WWII, providing the power to build over 50,000 planes. They brought people in to work 3 shifts and got it done in 3 years. What a great country we live in. Left Field’s friend picked him up about 4:00 p.m. and we had happy hour at 5:00 p.m. with wine and cheese and crackers. We had spent some time getting our firewood together so that Bob broke out the hot dogs and buns. Feast! Some other people came to the shelter and Zig and Bob discussed whether they should warn them about my snoring. Zigfoot deadpanned, “They’ll find out.”

Retrieving firewood on the AT is no small feat. I got out my knife and Left Field had asked to borrow it. He then proceeded to chip away at wooden sticks on the concrete bench and instructed me that you need kindling for a fire. I was watching him and every time he shaved a piece he’d hit my knife blade on that concrete seat. I let him finish and then asked him if he had a whet stone so I could put an edge on my blade. He also said, “Nice knife,” when I handed it to him. Yes, I know…

Tripper's Trail Art

He said I could do it on the metal fire ring and I think I may have impressed him by doing just that. I went to work on this tree we couldn’t burn the night before while Bob was out gathering wood. Zigfoot was justing sitting stoically, watching the whole thing. I told him I wasn’t sharing my hot dog stick. He found a stick and started whittling. I’ll bet he whittled on that stick for an hour. Then Left Field left. During happy hour the 2 people that showed up turned out to be Stacey and Jared! I couldn’t believe it. They finished off the hot dogs, cheese and crackers. Jared did all the talking. Stacey wasn’t drunk and only said a couple of words all evening. Jared let me use his saw on the bigger part of the tree. The saw was only about 8 or 9 inches, it folded over and only weighed about 4 oz., made by Cameo. It was great! I gotta get me one of those! He seemed fine, but she was just too quiet and submissive. And she moved stuff around on the bench so she could sit right by him.

After I finished up with the tree and my hot dog stick Bob asked if I could throw that knife and I said, “Sure.” Zig asked, “From that far?’ and I told him, “No” and walked toward a big tree, maybe this far 2 out of 10 times. So Bob says, “Come on, Tripper, do it. You can do it.” So I did and totally missed the tree and threw my knife into the ground cover outside of the enclosed area. Bob helped me look for it and then I prayed to St. Anthony and told him I was sorry that I lied about throwing a knife and I promised I wouldn’t ever do anything that stupid again if he would help me find it. He answered by telling me to re-check the trajectory, so I did and I walked right to it.

Another thing Stacey did was she was setting up their stove to make coffee and I said, “I have cocoa!”

Jared said, “She’d like cocoa with her coffee.” He never asked our names or told us theirs but this morning he did say, “Bye Tripper.”

I prayed for Stacey again that night, thanked God for my family and a great day and thanked St. Anthony again for helping me find my knife.

Day Twenty-seven

Zigfoot took his time this morning. I think he was kind of waiting for me. We only had 5.5 miles to go to Fontana Dam. It started off kind of dark and drizzly, and then it seemed like the fog moved in. The woods seemed awfully close and I couldn’t see thirty yards in front of me.  I blew my whistle for awhile, then I started talking to myself. It wasn’t a bad hike, a couple of miles up and down and then down to NC 28. The shuttle picks you up for $3.00 and takes you to Fontana Village. Zig was in the store and told me a woman gave him a bunch of food and he didn’t want me to buy any. Then we went up the hill to the Willow café for lunch. All I bought was cheese and crackers, coffee, cocoa and cigarettes. I know! I was going to buy a pint of Jameson's and make me a hot toddy. I ended up with Benedryl. I don’t really know what to take so I hope this works because I feel crummy.

Fontana Hilton

The shuttle took us within 300 yards of the Fontana Hilton. This is so nice. Bob was here. He took a zero day. We all agreed that we are the last of the thru hikers. We are enjoying having the place to ourselves.

Bob’s gonna build a fire and I’m gonna sit in the sun for as long as it lasts. 

Day Twenty-six

I saw a beautiful vista view and I tried to get a picture. I was at Brushnell Knob.

 Zigfoot took a picture, and it seems to me that his pictures turn out better than mine.

He is posting his pics on trailjournals.com/zigfoot. Later, when I got to Hogsback Gap, there were benches!

They were made from a split tree. I heard a pillated woodpecker. I saw a pretty little bluebird who was on the path and was hurt. It got away from me as fast as it could. I also saw a snake and it wasn’t a garter snake, either. I got to Cody Gap at 10:22. I checked the time because Zig drew Zigfoot 9:00 in the dirt. It really wasn’t a bad hike today, 6 miles with a little up and down. Zig and I hung my rope because he lost his on the trail yesterday. I saw it, but didn’t pick it up. Rats. Then we gathered firewood. We’re heading into Fontana Dam tomorrow. Bob did 12 miles today so he could get there early. Zigfoot and I had a nice fire courtesy of me.

I hacked and coughed and had to get up about 6 times while at Cable Gap shelter. The last time I got up, Zig was up and said it was 3 a.m. Then the storm came. As far as storms go, it wasn’t too bad. 

Day Twenty-five

Morning conversation

Tripper: Bob, would you mind handing me my stove and coffee so I don’t have to get out of my sleeping bag?

Zigfoot: Sounds like you got used to that hotel living.

Bob: I don’t mind. I’m gonna get a cigarette out of the deal!

Tripper: That cigarette is sitting right there waiting for you! (Pause) I slept pretty good after I warmed up.

Zigfoot: You never missed a beat.

I guess since he bought me dinner, he can go back to giving me shit about my snoring.

Today was a 9 mile day with lots of ups and downs. I had to climb over 5 trees just from Sassafras Gap to this shelter. Where are the volunteers who take care of the AT?

Brown Fork Gap shelter

Ever since I made it to NC, I have been disappointed. There are no brooms in the shelters so you can’t sweep them out. No wood chips in the privies, like in Georgia. No bear lines.(Editor thinks the bears stole them all) Did I just get spoiled in Georgia or does North Carolina need some volunteers? This shelter has about two feet of the floor missing across the front of the shelter and no place to sit and eat. Although here the water source is close and not a ½ mile away uphill like some of the others. The trail is poorly maintained. There are a number of places where logs should be placed so to act like stairs. NC has good signs, as does NOC, but I’ve found little to like about the AT here.

Day Twenty-four

Last night I met a young girl on my way back from dinner at River’s End. She asked to bum a cigarette. Yes, I’m still smoking, I know. She was drunk. She said her name was Stacey and she’s been back packing with her boyfriend, Jared. He’s been making her do 15-20 miles a day and they’ve been fighting. They’ve not been staying in the shelters, but have been camping every night by themselves. They weren’t staying in base camp by camping in the campground at NOC. She called her dad and he told her he would fly her home. She also told me her little boy lives with his dad. Then she wanted to know if this was the right thing to do, meaning if this hike would help her find answers about herself, if it would help her clear her mind so she could know what to do with her life. She broke my heart.

I hugged her and told her if she wanted to sleep in my room tonight, there were three empty bunks, I had the room to myself. I told her I would be on my porch until dark. Then I met Jared. I didn’t like him. He just came across as one of those overbearing, domineering, egotistical, controlling assholes. She didn’t come to my room. He probably wouldn’t let her.

I said an extra prayer for Stacey last night that she gets stronger and realizes that “you gotta hike your own hike.”

I left base camp at 8 a.m. and realized I didn’t buy any coffee, tea or cocoa. Damn!

What was I thinking?

Met a couple of guys who were doing 20 miles a day and not enjoying it. Go figure. I’m enjoying myself. Today I have seen pine trees and pine cones. All I saw in Georgia were little baby pine trees that just looked like pom-poms among the rest of the foliage. I saw a raspberry bush with one red raspberry and another bush with lots of round green berries. I have no idea what they are. I’ve also seen a bunch of rust colored anthills. I haven’t seen any ants. I wonder if they’re big, black ones I’ve seen before. Also, someone or something has been hollering all morning. Sometimes it sounds human and sometimes it doesn’t. I’m steadily moving away from it so I’m not worried. I think it was a ground squirrel.

 I’m also hearing the train whistle.

It took me 9 hours to hike 7 miles up 3000 feet. That includes the stop for breakfast, so 8 hours. No one passed me on the trail so I knew I would be spending the night by myself. When the shelter came into sight, there sat Booger Bob and Zigfoot. I couldn’t help myself, I started crying…

Then came the comfortable banter. They said it was raining when they got up, so they decided to stay put and it rained all day at Sassafras shelter. They were making bets on whether I’d show up or not.

We all ate. Zigfoot got the weather report for the next day and they figured it was 9 miles to the next shelter. I’d bought Bob some candy bars at the Dollar store and he gave me cocoa mix. We got water and hung our food. Bob smoked a couple of my cigarettes. It got cold and I didn’t warm up until late in the night. I should have changed out of my damp clothes, duh.

A family of 8 moved in right after dark. They set up tents and made a fire. They were really nice this morning. When they came in, I woke up and had to pee, of course.

Well I thought they had enough light for me to see so I didn’t turn on my head lamp. I tripped over the side of the shelter and fell into a patch of wet grass and leaves with a big Ooof! I warmed myself by their fire this morning before I left. Nice family.

Picture of the day

Good morning, KC, love Tripper

Tripper is on a break

Hello everyone!
Editor here.
Tripper's handler recently mentioned to me that he has received several calls of concern for Tripper because there haven't been any recent updates.
Well, roughly around June 8th, Tripper's knight in shining armor swooped in and carried her off to Georgia for some R&R.
She contracted bronchitis on the trail and is recouping at her sister's home. She has lost 15 pounds from all her walking and she looks fantastic!
If we could only get her to quit smoking- and trying to pawn off her fat girl clothes on me...
But I digress.
She has provided me with a week's worth of posts to work on, and she plans on picking up the trail once she is well rested and feeling healthy again.
When I have a minute, I will work on her recent post info, so stay tuned!

Day Twenty-Three

Still not on the trail. I stayed at Relax Inn on Main Street in Bryson City. $50.00 and I couldn’t get any hot water for a shower. I waited for the pharmacy to call me and they didn’t- but when I called them my medicine was ready. I did not relish walking up that hill again so I called the shuttle. He came right over. His name is Bill Smith. I told him it sounded like an alias to me. He just laughed and told me it would cost me $25.00 to take me to the pharmacy and back, then he laughed again and said it was $2.00. I thanked “Mister Smith” for the ride and he said, “Susan, my name is Bill.” He was a fun old guy. Oh, and I had breakfast at Everett Street Café. Everett is my dad’s name. It was good, too! Bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast and coffee for $5.50. Good deal!

I could have ridden the train! It leaves every morning at 10:45 a.m. and stops at NOC. Darn it! I’ve never ridden on a real train. I packed my stuff and pulled out my sign and barely made it to the corner when these two young women in a black truck whistled and told me to hop in back. And I did it! Pack and all, up and over and into the bed of that truck. I ‘d have liked to have seen a video of that. Sometimes I amaze myself. Kelley and Krista, they are really pretty girls who run a farm outside of town and grow fresh produce for the local markets. They dropped me at the entrance to the highway and told me I’d catch a ride in no time. Thanks ladies!

The fourth car was a truck, I tossed my pack in the back and hopped in with Roy & Bella. Bella is a Spaniel mix. Her mom was a spaniel and her papa was a “no good hound.” Roy’s family has been in the area for four generations. He lost his wife to cancer almost 3 years ago so it’s just him and Bella, “it’s all that’s left.”

They like to go fishing and they were headed to NOC to go fishing for trout in the Nantahala. He’s got a boat, but today they were just gonna fish from the bank. Bella gets the first one. She likes sushi. She also likes to carry it around and show everyone her fish. Roy dropped me right at the outfitters store. I love the North Carolina people. I’m sitting at Slow Joe’s, at a table, in a chair with a back. Oh yeah! Not 10 feet from the river, sipping lemonade, playing peek a boo with a Betsy Wetsy lookalike. As soon as I work up some energy, I’ll climb the hill to base camp and do some laundry and get a ‘hot’ shower. Oooo, maybe I’ll take an afternoon nap!

Squirrel!

I didn’t get my nap, but what I did get was all clean clothes, clean sleeping bag, clean body, teeth and new contacts. I feel good.

It must have been my evening for critters because every time I came back to my room I startled this squirrel. When I realized that he was checking out the trashcan I left him some cheerios from my pack. The next time I came back they were gone. There’s a group of school kids staying here at base camp for their end of the year trip and the little girls were squealing and carrying on while I was doing my first load of laundry. There was a little frog in the shower room, so I was afraid that he was traumatized because he didn’t move for a long time, but he’s fine now. Then they wanted me to remove all the Daddy Long Legs. There were three. Then while I was waiting for my sleeping bag to dry, the biggest black widow spider I ever saw walked right up to me. I got pics. (Editor's note: Yeah, NO.)

I watched ½ dozen ducks play in the Nantahala while I was eating my dinner. I’m calling it an early night. I want to get to the trail first thing in the morning. I’m going to be in the Smokey Mountains in 4 or 5 days!

Day Twenty-two

NOT on the trail. My day started kinda crazy. The card I had for my room wouldn’t open the door. So I had to hike all the way down the hill to the office and, yes, I am adding those miles to my total and got my card recoded. Weird, huh? Back up the hill, and when I finished packing I found another card! I have no idea how I could have picked up someone else's card!
I called the two numbers I got from Zig Foot for a shuttle to Bryson City. The first one was no longer in service and the second said she had a flat tire and couldn't help me until tomorrow. So I went down to the Outfitter store (and I didn't buy one thing) and asked them how to get to the hospital in Bryson City. They told me to make a sign and stand out front with my pack on and someone would pick me up. OMG!
Well... I did and this really nice young man name Ryan picked me up! I sent him in the wrong direction to begin with because when he programmed his GPS in his car, he had to turn around. I really do NOT like being directionally challenged. He had just come off the trail and had picked up his car. He was going to grab a shower at NOC and some lunch. He had another whole day to get back home. The guy hiked over 120 miles in less than a week! I was so impressed! Neither one of us realized how far it was to the hospital, but he brought me right to the front door, so I gave him $20.00, thanked him and said I'd buy his lunch and a beer. 
He thought he might sit by the water and while away the day and even do some white water rafting. I want to do that! I'll wait for Lyle, though. 
Swain County Hospital got the order from my doctor in a hurry and drew my blood. They said it would be a couple of hours before they got the results, so I took off down the hill. There is a cute little part of Bryson City with a train station and a museum of Lionel trains, a couple of gift shops, an ice cream parlor and a Dollar General. 
The Cottage Craftsmen is where I bought a cute little piece of pottery and shipped it home. I took several pictures.

Nantahala River

 I am currently sitting outside Tuckasegee Tavern having a rum runner, sitting at a picnic table and having a lovely afternoon. This AT trail has turned me into a hitch hiking, toilet paper stealing, money spending, afternoon drinking grammy!

Non smiling old guy

I am SO BRAVE! I guess I'll make another sign saying NOC and try to head in the right direction and see what happens. This is the best! I'm also gonna get a lemonade for the walk back up the hill to the hospital.
 The old guy in the photo in front of the tavern wouldn't even smile at me. That's why I took his picture. 
I'll bet I walked 5 miles around the town of Bryson City. It has been a fun 'down' day. No, I won't be adding that to my mileage, because it doesn't count if I'm not on the trail backpacking. And for some reason my debit card doesn't work! I don't know what the heck is going on, but I hope it was Bryson City and not my card. I weighed myself and I've lost 7 1/2 pounds. Whoo Hoo! I do think my body looks better, of course that could be wishful thinking. 
I'm just waiting for the doctors on call in K.C. Come on docs, light a fire under yourselves, I've got trails to burn!
Grrrr, the pharmacy was closed and the shuttle didn't run into town that late. I hitched my pack and headed into town. I got a room and went to Mickey's Pub. They didn't have any food, but Adam made great rum runners. I flirted with some guy named Geno who said he was the "last nice guy". It was a great place with all these bras hanging all over. (Editor's note: Lovely. My Aunt Tripper is drinking in a frat house. Did you lose your sports bra, Tripper?)

Adam said that when a girl gives up her bra, she gets a free shot. I was hungry, so I didn't stay. I walked a couple of blocks toward my hotel and came upon Jimmy Mac's Restaurant. OMG! It was so quaint with old photos in frames with beveled glass. There was some antique furniture, old jugs and some old crocks in a back corner. My salad had homeade croutons. I ordered shrimp stuffed with crab meat and a loaded baked potato. There weren't any bacon bits- they were strips of bacon! I also had fresh green beans and Mondavi merlot. I ate for an hour. I am no longer disappointed I didn't make NOC tonight. 

Day Twenty-one

I followed Zig out of the shelter around 8:00 a.m. It was spitting rain and he wanted to wait. I found out he’s a retired postal employee like me! What a hoot!

Slow Joe's 

Of course he left me behind in a hurry but it was a nice hike and I got to NOC, Nantahala Outdoor Center in about 6 miles. Bob & Zig were already here and we couldn’t check in until 3 p.m. It’s a really nice resort area. It has a restaurant called River End and an Outfitter store that I did not visit. It also had a bar, Slow Joe’s, a white water rafting place and then up the hill is a place with buildings, mess hall and showers for the overnight thru hikers. I took my boots off, put my crocs on and waded into the water. I say waded, but I only went up to my ankles. It was cold! The Nantahala River runs right through the middle of it. Man, it felt good. We all sat around until 3:00 p.m. check in and when we did they told us that they separate the genders. I looked at Zig Foot and said, “Did you hear that? You won’t have to hear me snore tonight.”  He grinned and said, “There is a God.”  He and I caught a shuttle into Bryson City and we bought some stuff. I got wine and shampoo and when we got back I said I was going to eat. He said he was ready to eat again, and that ole guy treated me to dinner. Bless his heart. It made me cry. I guess he really appreciated me picking up his sleeping pad and pack cover. We climbed back up the hill. (Oh, and I’m adding all this footage up to my total when I add up my hiking mileage, you better believe it!). About the time I was ready for my shower, a dozen little girls beat me to the bathroom, so I went up to visit the guys. On my way, I saw Joshua. I guess he was here for the night. I was talking with him and I met Joe. He’s here with his son and daughter, Taylor. She has the room next to mine, and they put three other little girls in her room. These two were in and out, and I asked the son, Jake, if his dad had dinner ready. He told me, “Not yet.” I said something about it not being very long now and he said, “I know, right?” Just like my grandson, Grant! They are both fourteen, thousands of miles apart. Unbelievable.

Anyway, I was still waiting on the showers, hanging around the kitchen and Joe offered me a pork chop. I didn’t think I was hungry, but they did look good so I took one and ate it right off the bone, with my fingers- and my wine. It was delicious! Thanks Joe!

I’m off to Bryson City tomorrow to sit at the hospital for a zero mile day and get my medicine because the hospital in Hiawassee never sent my INR to my doctor. Shit!

Day Twenty

On the trail. Amy, Jeff and I camped at Wayah Crest picnic area. I started a little fire. Of course I was first up, after that early morning potty break. I just can’t go to bed. Amy & Jeff took off and that was the last I saw of them until we met at Wayah Bald stone observation tower. They decided to head back so they wouldn’t have to hike 11 miles on Monday. I ain’t mad at them. I’m so glad they came and hiked with me. Amy even brought me a flask of Jameson’s.

*Note to hikers: Pack a pint of Jameson’s. It’s great for sipping around the campfire.

Amy & Jeff are going to camp a couple of miles south of the tower. I hiked on into Wayah Shelter and guess who is here. Bob, Zig foot, J2, Swamp Donkey (I changed it to Swamp Ass) and Gandolph. I didn’t have much to say about him before, but a guy stopped at the shelter with a guitar and Gandolph played wonderfully while the owner ate. I was very impressed. The water was quite far from the shelter so J2 said he’d go with me. Such a nice guy. I’m older than his parents and he is so sweet. He used to be a boy scout. He’s taking off tomorrow and I don’t think I’ll see him again because he can really move. We got enough firewood to have a really nice fire. We’re just waiting for this group of men to finish their dinners so we can move in. That Zig Foot would not let me get water for him so I brought back my pro filtered bag and he wouldn’t use it. He is so silly. 

I’m sitting here at Tellico Gap. It’s a power line parking area. I took off my boots and smoked the other cig. I KNOW!

Watched some guys in a truck unload their packs into another truck and take off. They waved at me. Then I watched a lost fat bumblebee. He must have been lost because he kept going around and around looking for a flower and not finding one. I’ll bet he hung out for a good two minutes before he gave up.  I’ve got two miles to go before I get to Wesser Bald Shelter.

Unfortunately, it’s about a 500 foot climb over 2 miles, that shouldn’t be too bad.

I passed a water sign on my way to the shelter and I thought “Hmmm… maybe this is the water source.”

But did I stop? Noooo, I kept on going and when I got there, Zig Foot says, “ Hey Tripper, you want the good news or the bad news?”

I said, “Rats, that was the stinking water source?”

Oh, he and Booger Bob thought that was sooooo funny. We started talking about the day’s hike and they asked how I liked the tower.  Tower? I missed the tower. I saw the rocks that looked like a great place to sit so I did. I saw a lookout and I saw the trail. After I looked out I hit the trail and missed the damned tower. That’s 2 out of 3 that I missed and I could have seen Fontana Dam from there. I missed the damned dam.  Then these two kids came to the shelter and this one said he killed a rattlesnake with his slingshot and he was going to clean it and eat it! I think I’ve had rattlesnake before- it tastes like chicken. (editor note: Bwhahahahahaha).

Zig Foot said he’d walk back up the hill with me to get water. The guidebook said it was .1 mile but it was all uphill. I am not very happy with North Carolina but I’m going to withhold my opinion until I am clear of this state! That kid was up there by the water source cleaning that snake! YUK!

A thirsty flutterby

I forgot to mention at Tellico Gap this man pulled up in a Jeep with a family and he approached me  and said, “I’ve got water and snacks if you’d like some.” I passed on the snacks but I drank a bottle of water. (no streams in North Carolina- more later) and shot the breeze with him while the family wandered around. Nice man. Everyone I’ve met has been really nice, even in N.C. 

Day Nineteen

On the trail.

Wait up, Amy!

 We drove back up to Winding Stair Gap and Jeff took the lead. The only way I caught up with Amy was because she kept stopping to take pictures of the flora. We decided to have lunch at Siler Bald Shelter and you won’t believe who was there! Booger Bob & Zig Foot! They are so funny! I’m glad Amy & Jeff got to meet them. And that pack cover did not belong to Mountain Man, it belonged to Zig! I told him, “Mister, you better pack up good tomorrow because I won’t be here to pick up after you.”

We took our picture together. I found out his real name is Frank and he’s from Ohio, like Jeff. We hiked a ways further. It was like ½ uphill from that shelter and came to a big open area with tall grasses. Amy & Jeff went on up this hill and could see 360 degrees. Amy took pics and it was beautiful. We came to a high spring that is pure water because water was coming right out of the mountain.

Tripper & Zig Foot

Jeff found a wonderful campsite so we set up and built a fire. We hiked six miles today- plus the mile in and out of the shelter, plus they went up that hill and then they went back to the spring for water. I did 7 miles and they did 8 or 9. I am finally CAMPING! I love it!

I got to set up my new tent and Jeff suggested no rain flies. It’s a beautiful night. The birds are still singing even though the sun has set. Ready to sit by the fire. Oh, and I love Jeff. He is such a neat guy.

Day Eighteen

Hiked 4 ½ miles and ended up on a road. I guess I could have turned around and headed back into the woods but I decided to walk on down toward Franklin. It was nice. There was a beautiful little community down over the side of the road and there were three older ladies just walking and a talking in their North Carolina accents.

I only walked about a mile when this couple picked me up in their minivan. Eric & April had been camping and the van was loaded, but they worked my pack and me in. They have 3 beautiful children and the baby was blonde with the biggest blue eyes I ever saw. They dropped me at the drugstore right between Sonic and Three Eagles Outfitters and even turned around and came back once they realized I had left my poles in their van. Such nice people!

I ate good at Sonic then went to Three Eagles Outfitters and got my Camel back, some gloves and some fuel. I then caught a taxi to Hampton Inn. Wow, was that nice! I walked down to the strip mall in my Frogger gear and crocs to do laundry and shopping. I plugged my poor dead phone in. I’m sure I was quite a sight. The night manager even said something to Laurie about me and Laurie told her who I was. (Apparently Tripper is kind of a big deal on the AT).

 I finished my laundry and shopping, so I bought some crackers and a bottle of Yellowtail merlot. On my way through the lobby I snagged some tea, cocoa and Splenda to add to my food supply. I called everyone I knew. Once they arrived, Amy, Jeff and I sat outside, drinking their beer and finishing off my wine. 

Day Seventeen

I slept with Al Pacino back in his ‘Serpico’ days. My emails are not going through. I am running low on my medicine and I ran out of toilet paper. You gotta ‘hike your own hike”. I got hot chocolate yesterday from a couple and Al gave me coffee this morning. Two days to Franklin, and it looks like it might not rain today. My day started out tough. I stayed at Carter Gap Shelter and was ready to crawl under the shelter when I realized there was plenty of floor space after everyone got in their bags, so Al and I spread the tarp on the floor. All I had was a roof and I watched the light of day fade into the night over the mountain in Nantahala Forest.

Everyone got an early start and I messed around, drank coffee, washed my teeth and swept my tarp. Then I went down three wrong paths until I begged a camper to show me the trail. “Al” left his pack cover and I know he’s going to Rock Gap Shelter tonight. 

Day Sixteen

I went 7 ½ miles in 5 ½ hours. It was a nice hike.  Not a lot of uphill. Lots of flowers blooming, a quiet day. I passed three hikers and one was a girl. Then this big dog came right up to me, looking for love. His man was from North Carolina and was just out day hiking because Forest the dog really likes it. I saw a bumblebee, some birds and blackberry bushes. There was a huge tree right on the trail. I had to figure out how to get over it. In Georgia, when there is a tree on the trail, they cut it out and leave a nice log for resting my pack on. Here in North Carolina they don’t take care of their shelters as well as they do in Georgia. It just sprinkled on me a little today but now that I’m at the shelter it is pouring down rain. I changed my clothes and did a survey for Bunny from Alaska. She is really cute and promised to buy us all beer when we get to town.

Stunning view of North Carolina mountains

 Well they were all going that far and I am not. So I hope someone passes me that is going that far so they can take this hiker, Al, his pack cover. he apparently left it behind in the shelter when he packed up to move on. If it works it’s called ‘Trail magic”. The trail has been muddy and I’ve slipped and fallen, but I came to a little runoff so I washed up and refilled my water jugs. I saw a white blaze and headed on my way. I also stopped at a nice place where the sun was shining for a minute. Took some pics and tried to send an email. A couple of guys passed me and they were going to Rock Gap. Whoo hoo! Trail Magic! Then I passed a younger girl in a dress with a big beautiful smile. She said once I climbed the summit of Albert mountain, the fire tower is really spectacular.  OMG, that uphill climb was really something! I slipped and fell and crawled and skinned my arms. By the time I made it to the tower, I was pooped and I decided to go to the shelter first. I’m not going back. My phone is dead anyway so I can’t take any pics. 

Day Fifteen

Day 15

The first thing I do when I get to the shelter is pull off my socks and boots and put on these crocs I bought at Neels Gap. Last night I was going to go to the privy, pull off this sports bra and rub my shoulders with Aspercreme. Thank Jean! Between that bra turning my chest into a uniboob and my pack’s weight, my shoulders have felt pretty sore.

Yesterday morning Zig Foot left his sleeping mattress on the table, so I shoved it in my pack. I knew he would be in the next shelter. I saw a knife laying there as well, and I thought “There’s no way I can catch those young guys” so I left it. Zig was so happy to see me at the next shelter. He told me he’d fetch my water, anything I wanted. He even invited me to dinner in Franklin. Zig is 68 and he has a foot and a half long white beard. He wears a hat with a flap in the front and a flap in the back. He just promised not to give me any more trouble about my snoring.

The infamous Zig Foot

When I got to the shelter, he pointed up to the beam in the Standing Indian Shelter. There, written in charcoal, were the words ‘Zig Foot’ with an arrow pointing to his knife stuck in the beam. We hikers have to help each other.
I sat by the fire with Pyro and J2 drinking my coffee and visiting with them. J2 is Joseph the second. He’s 19 and headed to Maine. I think he’s gonna make it too, because he’s doing 15-20 miles a day. He’s going back to school in the fall to be an accountant. I told him my nephew, Tim, is an accountant for IBM, but he still needs glasses and a pocket protector. J2 already looks like an accountant. He’s skinny with glasses and his ball cap is red and too big for his head.

Wrigley decided to stay here tonight. It started raining right after I got here and neither he nor J2 want to hike in the rain. Bob is here too. He got here in about 2 ½ hours. He says it’s because of his knee, but I suspect that he’s looking out for me. He told me that after Franklin, he’s going to try to catch up to Adam and Jeff. That’s where I’m gonna meet Amy & Jeff, my niece and nephew.

It was a pretty easy day, just 5 miles. I took a bunch of pictures and only had to climb 2500 feet. It got really cold and now it’s raining like crazy. I’m having another cup of coffee.

I am snuggled down in my sleeping bag because it got seriously cold and the rain is still coming down. It is only 5:00 p.m. I am staying put for the night. The rain slowed down so we all went out to hang our food. Most shelters have bear cables but this one didn’t. It was really cool the way we all worked together to throw our ropes over the branch and then find another tree to tie it to. I love this stuff!

I forgot to mention that I walked by the camp with the two military men and asked directions to the trail. They were nice. I’d met them the night before. They pointed me toward the trail and I was following it back the way I’d come when Josh yelled, “Tripper, Tripper, you’re going the wrong way!” He remembered that I was going north and actually led me back and on the right trail. Bless his heart, and Happy Trails to Josh and his buddy.  They were headed south. 

Day fourteen cont'd.

Day 14 cont’d.

I really pushed myself today. I wanted to make Muskrat Creek in less than 8 hours. I did great and felt good until I hit the North Carolina line, then it was all uphill. I climbed 2100 feet. Not all at once, but over the whole trail, mostly in North Carolina. That’s right- I hiked Georgia! Of course I stopped along the way. Saw a snail, where did he pick up his shell? Saw a little bird, flitting from tree to tree.

I have to take my pack off to pee, and when I want a drink, I have to find a good log so I can brace my pack, unhook the front and twist my arm around to get my water bottle. I’m getting pretty good at it.

I met a nice young man named Austin. He kept the fire burning all evening and even burned a bunch of trash that somebody left behind. I gave him the trail name ‘Pyro’. He liked that. 

Day fourteen

First thing this morning, Zig Foot (because he could roll a joint with his feet) wanted to know how long I’ve been married, 28 years. He wanted to nominate my Lyle for Sainthood.  Bob said he’s not afraid of bears while camping with me.  Gandolph said, “Damn! That was you?”

Then the mess of them discussed giving me a new trail name. NOT FUNNY!

Apparently they were insinuating that I snore.

When the Arkansas boys showed up, they had carried beer up from town and left an open one on the table when they went to go get water. Should we drink it? That would be mean. I hid it behind a hanging sleeping bag. Well, when Zig pulled down his bag he knocked it over. It was a prank gone bad. We just set it back on the table and no one said a word.

Those Arkansas boys couldn’t keep a fire lit. It was up to me to keep it going all evening. When they passed around the pot, they didn’t offer me any- mature older woman persona, intact. 

Day Thirteen

Day 13 

5/20/12

Caught the shuttle with Sally. She and her partner, Joyce, own property here and run a shuttle to town and back for extra income. Nice lady. Everyone has been so nice and friendly. There’s a man named Yogi who has set up camp right here at Dick’s Creek Gap. He’s just been living off of what the hikers give him. He offered me a beer at 10:00 a.m. this morning. Funny guy.

Sally picked up his trash to take back to town. She said she liked me and that I had “moxie.” I hadn’t heard that phrase for a long time. The next morning I took off and felt very brave.

Note to self- keep a list of names I have been called while on this trail. Oh, the guy with the gauges in his ears called me ‘Sugar’ as he went by. Yuk.

I took some time getting to Plum Orchard Shelter. Only passed a couple of people. Now there are people that are heading in the opposite direction. I don’t pass anyone, but I had about 4 people pass me on the way. I only had about 4 ½ miles to go today so I took my time and took lots of pictures.

  So far, Zig Zag is here, Bob, of course, Swamp Doggy, who is a geology engineer and Gandolph, who is a history major.  In came Detour, Timber and Machete, because he’s hauled a useless machete all this way and only used it twice. It weighs 1 lb.

 The two logs used to be a tree that they cut because it fell on the trail. I like to sit and rest on these. Flowers, flowers everywhere. This one huge tree had fallen and they had to repair the trail with trees and rocks. I hadn’t shown the signs before but they are all like this. Even I can understand them. After Gandolph passed me, there was this ENT (from Tolkiens trilogy) that stopped in the trail for a break. This was the water source for this shelter.