| April 21, 2005 |
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Mount Collins Shelter to Gatlinburg at Newfound Gap. |
| Normally I would have not stopped
at Mount Collins Shelter since it's .5 mile off the AT, but after a
short hard day I just couldn't hike the extra 5 miles to Newfound
Gap or Gatlinburg. When I got to the shelter, I discovered the
water source was another .1 of mile farther down the trail,
which really ticked me off after hiking the .5 mile already to the
shelter turn off. |
The shelter was located in
a pine forest with bear cage doors to close at night. Cooked
Mac and Cheese for supper. I couldn't eat it all so I shared
with Andy. He shared hot tea with me.
 About dark Mr. Beer, a thru
hiker from Japan, came in to stay at the shelter. Donald, the
section hiker, was there too. He could understand Mr. Beer
better than I could at first. All settled in by 9:30 pm. for a
good nights rest. By the time I woke up, Andy had already
packed up and was gone. He planned to do 20 miles today
and wanted to get an early start. After breakfast of cereal
and tea, Donald, Mr. Beer and I took pictures and exchanged
addresses. Of course I was the last to leave the shelter, but
I only had 5 miles to hike to Newfound Gap. |
The hike today was much
easier than any other day this week. Like yesterday, I saw
mass destruction of fallen to diseases. It was a
beautiful day and cool under the cover of the pines.
Occasionally, the sun rays would break through the tops of the giant
pine sentinels making a dappled sunlit path. The path was
smoother, but still had log steps and big rocks to climb up or down.
I was very careful trying not to turn an ankle.
My heal is much better, but by night time and the day's hike is
completed it's very sore and touchy. It's a little swollen at
night, but better by morning. Ibuprofen has become my best
friend! I came across a fenced in area, one of 20, of beech
hardwoods that being protected by the Smokey Mt. N. P. to keep out
the wild hogs and to protect the beeches as well as other native
vegetation. I didn't realize until I read the sign that wild
hogs are not native to the USA. |
I had to cross the fence on steel
grated styles. The swirling gnats were terrible the last two
days. I would hold my mouth and nose. I enjoy fresh
meat, but not Gnats!
At least the black flies were off duty when I came passing through
their territory. The root systems passing through their
territory. |
|
The root systems of the large fallen
pines would sometimes be very close to the trail reminding me of the
tentacles on octopus trying to reach out and grab me. I would
not have wanted to hike the last two days through the dense pine
forest after dark. It would have spooky! |
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Today on the trail I meet Mr. and Mrs.
Williams from Huntsville, Ala and Mr. and Mrs. Keller from Chicago.
They were just out hiking a sort section of the trail and back to
their parked cars. |
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Finally made it to Newfound Gap by noon where I
was lucky and caught a hitch to Gatlinburg with David and Patty
Schreiber from Roanoke, IN. I told them they were among the my
many trail angels. Staying tonight at Grand Prix and will take
a shuttle out of town tomorrow sometime back to Newfound Gap and AT
Trail north. |
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I took a leisurely stroll down Main St.
Gatlinburg to see the sites and get something to eat. I
stopped at Burger King and had a hamburger with everything and some
fries. After that I bought some taffy to send back home to my
husband, kids and grandchildren; just to let them know that I think
about often. |
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Went to the local Rib Fest where they had
blaring country music, hog and cow calling contests, and all you
could eat ribs. I bought a rib to sample while waling along
the Pigeon River back to my motel. Naturally I couldn't pass
up the ice cream store. I bought a root beer float to wash the
rib down. On the way back I enjoyed talking to Arnold Deck (He
said, "Arnold like in Greenacres and Deck like on a ship.") I
sat sown beside him and talked while we watched his grandson (I
think) fly fishing. A friendly guy from Beckley, WV. How
about that! It's been another great day of adventure.
Tomorrow new challenges! Good night! |
|
Swing'n Jane |
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