Journals

According to Pittsburgh:

MAY 10, 1997 - SATURDAY
   many, many thanks to TIMMY's cousin, LAURA, host of the "ASHEVILLE HOSTEL" (as we have named it). she opened her home to us for two nights...
   we ate at the "HOSTEL", then headed for SAMS GAP (US 23). it was very cold (we could see our breath), and the winds were relentless, and it remained that way for most of the hike. the 360 degree views were wonderful at the top of BIG BALD, but the winds and cold didn't permit anything but a glance before hurrying off. that glance revealed that there was sunshine everywhere except at the top of BIG BALD!!!
   BALD MOUNTAIN shelter was trashed out, and the PRIVY was overflowing (if anyone from the maintaining organization is reading this, the place needs some attention). the sun finally shone steadily, and the temps warmed, as i approached HIGH ROCKS. the rest of the hike was very nice. there has been a good deal of trail relocation in the area between HIGH ROCKS and SPIVEY GAP (US 19W), but the guide book, databook, and map don't seem to reflect it...
   the van was at SPIVEY GAP when i arrived. though there were campsites on the trail near the road, PANTHER FAN indicated that better sites were situated up the road in a recreation area. after everyone arrived, we headed for the rec area. we found a wonderful area to tent, and had it all to ourselves. we set up camp, ate, and hit the tents early. the cold weather had done us all in...

MAY 11, 1997 - SUNDAY
   it was a great night. the temps didn't go too low, and there was no moisture. the sun actually rose in a cloudless sky! we had a very pleasant morning...
   after the van was loaded, we headed for SPIVEY GAP (US 19W) and began our hike. there was an invigorating chill in the air all day long, plus the sun was dominant, and the trail was not aggressive. this all made for a wonderful hike. the NO BUSINESS KNOB shelter was clean and pleasant. it is a cement block structure that was built in 1963. i would not have enjoyed being the one that brought in the cement blocks!!!
   we ended our hike at the NGC HOSTEL/USA RAFT complex on the NOLICHUCKY RIVER. there, we ran into GOOFY FOOT (had met him early on in APRIL), BEN and RUBY, DREAMCATCHER (was behind us, but hurt her ACHILLES TENDON, and got a ride to the HOSTEL), WALKING STICK and NOWHERE MAN, and a number of other people who were associated with the rafting company. we headed for ERWIN, TN and the BEST SOUTHERN MOTEL (formerly the ERWIN MOTEL). we cleaned up, and then headed for the ELMS RESTAURANT. cheesy place, good food, nice people...
   the proprietor of the motel stopped by because he saw me outside working on the computer. he is looking for a laptop for his son. his son and wife came by soon after, and we yakked about the computer and the trail. nice people, clean motel...

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