Bud and Vicki Hogan's 1996 Appalachian Trail Journey
June 3
Sassafras Gap to Cody Gap............................................................................11.75 miles
Broke camp, taped blisters, loaded up, and as we headed out we saw Al walking up the hill from the shelter. Said "Goodbye, we'll see you up the trail." But we didn't.
Lots of ups and downs today. The trees are a gorgeous green. We got to Stecoah Gap which was a road crossing. The gap had picnic tables, and a nice patch of green grass on which to spread out our emergency blanket where we could sit and have lunch. Only one small problem. The data book said there was a water source here, but I couldn't find it. This could be a big problem. It was hot, the data book said the next water source was quite far away, and we were getting low on water.
As we ate, a guy in a van that was parked at the gap, came over for some conversation. He had a book by a guy called "Wingfoot" that said the water supply was just to the left about 100 yards. I took a chance, and there it was. Not a bad source for water. I got to get me one of those "Wingfoot" books. As things worked out, I was the one who always made the extra walk for the water. Vicki's feet had been in pretty bad shape and I thought she could use the rest.
We dumped our packed-out trash at the gap, and forged on. Gap after gap, some really steep climbs, to finally end up at Cody Gap. This was one of those gap clearings that doubles as a campsite. We had gone far enough, this was home, tonight. Getting into a pretty good routine. Set up tent, unpack thermarest mattresses, lay out sleeping bags, go for water, get out food. And just the reverse in the morning. Another meal out of an aluminum pouch, tonight, wash it down with some water. Then vitamin "A" for dessert. I really like these meals, except they need more spices, and we hadn't brought any spices. Oh, well. Still tasty.
We had tried out the four major suppliers of freeze dried meals before we left on this journey, and had liked two of them. Alpine Air and Mountain House. When we weren't eating these, we had my personal favorite, Mac and Cheese, or Liptons pasta (several choices of flavors). Also, our lunch menu, besides tuna, which we had several times a week, was the canned chicken or ham. We were beginning to develop a taste for peanut butter, which we had so wisely included in our collection of food. During breaks we brought along Power Bars (chocolate) They were pretty expensive, but we bought them from Sams Club for about $ 0.85 each. Not bad when you consider that we saw them being sold for $1.70. at several places. I believe that the Power Bars and the peanut butter were two of the best food choices that we made. Also Gorp from Sams, very good and cheap. Carried some of this all the way.
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