March 21 - 13.6 / 56.9 miles

Today was supposed to be an easy 12 miles. The morning came early with us getting up around 6:30. For the most part, everyone was ready to go fairly quickly. Will rolled out before any of us. He wanted to knock out the 8 miles to Unicoi Gap and meet his friend Jimmy before Jimmy drove of looking for us elsewhere. The rest of us rolled out shortly after around 7:45. Sleepy Pizza, son of Tweedie Griswold (sorry Mrs. Griswold for not giving you the shout out too), tried to make coffee before we left, but he failed. I think I ended up drinking a half a cup of luke warm water and coffee grounds. Maybe next time.

We got about a mile into our day when we came across Lone Star. He is a dentist from Texas. He was supposed to stay with us last night, but when he got to the campsite where we stayed, he didn't think it was the right place. Overall, the morning was pretty uneventful except for the rain coming in. At first it wasn't too bad. Most of us through hikers were prepared. Stuart and Clark on the other hand were not. They stayed warm, but not too dry.

We arrived at Unicoi Gap around 11:45. We made pretty good timing. We left Stickerbush and Nora there to hike on. The rest of us got into Jimmy's suv for the ride back to Neels Gap. We dropped off Stuart and Clark and then made a pitstop by the Walasi Center. Guess who was there? The church group making hamburgers. Don't you dare think we didn't get some more this time. I had one and I think Will and Jimmy had two or three a piece. I got another dry bag in the store for my puffy jacket. While in the Baltimore Jack noticed we were back. He asked if we were staying in the hostel another night. I told him we were just shuttling guys back to their car. This guy is great. He made sure that none of us needed a ride back to Unicoi Gap.

Will, Jimmy, and I took back off to Unicoi and began our journey. In the parking lot we ran into Half Way Wayne (only going to Demascus, VA). He was going to get a hitch into Helen for the evening. The first task after getting to Unicoi was ti climb Rocky Top Mtn. On most occassions I would enjoy Rocky Top. I did sing Rocky Top as I was climbing. However, Rocky Top was no fun as it was over a 1,000 foot ascent. Plus the weather got a lot worse. Rain was going side ways and the temp dropped.

We hiked on to the Cheese Factory camp site. However, when I got there (I am the slowest of the three), Will and Jimmy were not there. So I figured they had either missed it or hiked on. Both were true. I found them 2.1 miles later at Tray Mtn Shelter. This is also 2.1 miles of miserable hiking. I was cold, wet, and tired. I swear I was on a Lord of the Rings set. The trees looked old and the fog was thick.

The shelter was full when I got here. I found the other two hiding behind the shelter trying to get out of the wind. No matter how hard we tried, all of us were soaked. We set up our tents behind the shelter to help block the wind and rain. It doesn't do much, but it helps.
I ended up eating in my tent which is normally a no-no due to bears. However, I had no other choice. Also here tonight is Stickerbush and Nora, Lone Star, and a few guys we met at Neels Gap. I hope all are staying dry.

About to head to bed. Tomorrow we got 11 miles to Hiawasee, Ga. I think we will be staying in a hotel to warm back up.

--To answer an earlier comment...I am using a Blackberry and not a computer to blog. I will continue to do so as long as batteries last and I get a cell signal. Further north, it will be more sporatic.

Good night, friends.