Second, thunderstorms in the mountains are not fun. Yesterday it rained a bit in the morning, after a great night at blue mountain shelter. It was our first night in an actual shelter and it was pretty great: few mice problems and good shelter mates Jeff, a fellow thru hopeful, and Darwin and legs: a couple from NYU hiking for 100 miles or so. We also met Andrew Elinor and their dog Stella. Stella LOVED fetch.
In any event, we left with some drizzle but soon took off our constraining rain gear at Unicoi gap, where Stella and company left ( they were only out for the weekend). Soon enough, as we went over Rocky and Tray mountains, it became clear we were hiking in a thunderstorm. We ate lunch at tray shelter, met another thru hiker couple and a few section hikers and then took off for the next shelter in hopes of a dry spot. Despite hiking like maniacs, there was only 1 free spot at deep gap shelter. Tyler took it (next one is mine) and I set up my now thin looking tent as the wind, rain, and a bit of hail picked up. After a quick meal, I went to bed as the rain lessened somewhat. We woke up early with everyone to race to dicks creek gap where we could hitch into Hiawassee.
We got into the blueberry patch hostel around 11 today, where the owner Gary started our laundry and drove us into town. We are currently shopping for food and pigging out. Showers are in our near future.
The end of great hiking weather is here. The next few nights are supposed to be cold; the few after that are supposed to be wet. We're hoping to make good miles to Franklin before the rain, then jump shelter to shelter (as short as some hikes may be) when the rain comes just to guarantee a dry spot for the night. Tonight though, we're at a dry hostel with cinnamon, camel, and another thru hiker.
Finally, Glenloch baptist church takes the cake for best trail magic: cold cokes, hot dogs, chips, cookies, and any kind of medicine and snack you can imagine and a prayer when we left. Explicitly Christian groups (the hostel were staying at tonight is another example) like this really understand Jesus's command to feed His sheep.
Glad you survived the thunderstorm! We were monitoring the weather map, and were concerned that you might be having an uncomfortable day. Also, I love, love, LOVE the photos! You're doing a great job of documenting the journey, and I feel as though I can really get a sense of what your days are like, thanks especially to the photos. Keep up the good work! And lastly, Tyler, it seems the Trail has not yet taken your sense of humor. That's good news. :) Also, if you could really grow a mustache like that, you would be my hero.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your next post, and pray for you every day.
Kristen
Ps. It's snowing like crazy in Stoneboro right now. Seriously, it looks like the inside of a snow globe. Not cool.