March 19 - 3.2 / 30.7 miles

Deer! The last 24 hours have been full of deer. Well, really just 2. But last night as Will and I were getting in our tent we heard something big stomping through the leaves. We knew it wasn't a hiker cause you don't hear leaves on every step from a hiker. So it is either going to be a bear or a deer. It turned out to be a deer some 50 yards away. The thing kept running back and forth for about 15 minutes. It was probably only 3 minutes, but it felt like 15.

Will and I awoke this morning around 7. We wanted to we the first to get to Neels Gap. We heard hamburgers were going to be there the day before so we decide they would be our breakfast. After spending some time on Blood Mountain, we rolled into Neels Gap at 10. Upon our arrival, we hear "Hamburgers will be ready in 10." Sweetness! As we at hambugers, more and more hikers came in. All had heard about the burgers.

After sitting around for most of the day, I went inside of the Walasi Center to give my pack a shake down. One of the employees and I spent the next hour going through my pack. Afterwards, I reduced my pack by 9 freaking pounds. It is great.

Tonight I am staying at the Neels Gap hostel with about 15 others. Most of them I have met along the way. Bruce is a new guy. He is about to turn 70. Ms. Janet, the care taker, of the hostel made us spaghetti. For breakfast it will be pancakes, eggs, and strawberries.

Tomorrow, Stuart and Clark are meeting us to hike for the next 2 days. Danger Mouse (Nora) and Rookie (Jake) are also going to join us the next few days. DM is from NJ and Rookie is from Utah.

As we wrap up our night, all of us in the shelter are listening to Baltimore Jack talk. This guy is a legend. He has hiked the trail 8 times. He is telling stories about eating lobster on the trail. No lies.

Good night, friends.