Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal -
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     I skipped writing yesterday because it was too long of a day to fit it in.  I started out from Tray Mountain Shelter at 7:30 with plans to stop about 7 miles later at the next shelter.  There was a pretty long climb just prior to the shelter called Kelly Knob & I figured I would be tired enough after climbing it.  But it wasn't as tough as I expected & I arrived at the shelter by 11:30.  Even though my knees were already sore, I knew it was only 3.5 miles farther to the road crossing & it was early enough that I might get a spot at this hostel.  So I took the plunge & decided to keep going,  Those last 3 1/2 miles were twice as hard as the first 7!  It was close to 80* yesterday & a lot of the time the ridge blocked the breeze.  So I was pouring buckets of sweat & burning like crazy in the sun.  But my knees were the sorest of anything.  Visions of ice packs were dancing in my head!

     When I finally did make it to the road, I had only stood there a few seconds when a couple drove up & asked if I needed a ride into town.  I love the generosity of people along the trail..... it is so amazing.  After I got here & got a bed, I couldn't get into the shower or get my laundry done fast enough.  Boy, did that feel good!  Then I wandered down to the stream & soaked my knees for a while.  After settling in & going through my mail drop, three of us staying here thumbed a ride into town (still 7 miles away) for supper.  We had only one thing in mind - Daniel's All You Can Eat Buffet!  i t was a great spot for some hungry thru-hikers, even though we all agreed that our real appetites haven't kicked in yet.

     Last night was definitely the best night's sleep I've had on the trail.  I got the bed in the "lounge area" here in the bunkhouse while the 6 guys got the bunks in the other room.  I didn't realize it at the time, but I had the only real mattress - all the others were straw mattresses.  And it was so soft!  I loved rolling over & not crunching my hip into the hard ground.

     Today the breakfast bell rang about 8:30 & we all dashed into the house for a fantastic biscuit, sausage & pancakes-with-blueberry syrup breakfast.  Gary & Lennie grow their own blueberries (as well as lots of other vegetables) here on the farm & they are pretty tasty.  After finishing up, Gary drove the other 5 hikers back to the trail, & Andrew & I are staying here to rest for the day.  His knee has been bothering him for even longer than mine has hurt but at least he can take the ibuprofen to keep the swelling down.  Right now, I would gladly trade my ibuprofen allergy for a chocolate allergy!  Even as much as I love chocolate, I would gladly give it up.

     Anyway, we are hanging out here today, recuperating & sitting with ice.  Some time later we'll get a ride back to the trail & both of us are planning just to hike a mile in to a camping spot along the trail.  Tomorrow we should pass the North Carolina line!  It's hard to believe we're already through Georgia!  What a feeling!

     8:30PM  A perfect end to a perfect day.  I left the Blueberry Patch around 3PM. today - again catching a ride with the most generous trail angels in the world.  This couple is spending their vaction providing rides into town from the trail heads in 3 different towns along this part of the trail.  They won't accept anything for all the help they give - he thru hiked last year & this is their way of giving back.

     So here I am in my tent, just off the trail at Plum Orchard Gap.  There's a beautiful, I mean, GORGEOUS shelter about .2 mile below, but there's a group of about 15 boys & counselors from a troubled youth school camped up there - & they warned me that the boys don't quiet down until late.  So instead I am up here, enjoying the brilliant pink sunset & a camping spot all to myself.  This is the first night I haven't camped immediately beside other people.  In some ways, I would enjoy some good company, as I've gotten use to, but mostly I am glad for a night to myself.  I don't think I will stay up late enough to see the stars, although I would like to.  I did go out last night at the hostel/farm & watched the moon rise & enjoyed the sparkling clear stars  WOW!  It is such an awesome sight.

     Tomorrow I will be on my second state.  Time is flying!  I'm so excited to see the Smokies.