Bud and Vicki Hogan's 1996 Appalachian Trail Journey
May 20
Hiked from just above the park to Stover Creek Shelter..........................9 miles
We finally got to the top of Springer Mountain, at the marker. What a view, what a feeling. We were actually doing it. We were hiking the Appalachian Trail. We took pictures and drank water. It was a perfect day for hiking. Warm, but not to warm, a breeze, but not windy. And the trail was much nicer than what we had done yesterday. Perfect. We were enjoying this.
Then out of the brush, three unsavory looking characters showed up, drinking from a half gallon whiskey bottle that was half empty. "Oh, joy!!" We conversed with them as little as possible, just enough not to be rude. One of them made several comments about being out of work and needing money. This is not what I had planned for. They really seemed like "OK" guys, but we weren't taking any chances. Our plans for staying at Springer Mountain Shelter changed on the spot and it was off to Stover Creek. I wasn't happy about leaving her, but, Vicki looked quite tired, so I left her on the trail while I ran to the spring for water. My first water stop, Springer Mountain. So this is what we are to drink? Oh, joy!!!!
Got to Stover Creek, took one look at the shelter and decided to set up the tent down by the stream. Met Alan, who was recovering from leukemia and hiking the trail. Also Kirk, who we would never see again.
Our first full day on the trail. The uneasy feeling of not knowing what, if anything, was going to await us on the trail, stayed with me for quite some time.
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