March 25 - 4.7 / 108.6

Sorry, my connection was not good last night. So here is yesterday's entry...

Today was a short day when it comes to hiking. This morning we got up and broke camp around 8. We hiked 3.8 miles down to Winding Stair Gap and US 64. An older couple and their pastor were there with coffee, hot chocolate, chips, cookies, and other goodies. We all had our fair share while waiting for the shuttle. Also the was a guy named Jon, going by Caribou, and his dog Yolo. They were both at the shelter last night. Something instantly amazed me about Caribou. He is not only hiking the trail, but he is deaf. Once I realized this, I went over to him and signed "My name is Brian." This was something I learned when I was like 3 or 4 and still remember it today. Shortly after he was spelling out his name and his dog's name. I signed asking where he was from and he said D.C. After realizing that I was mainly having to sign words letter by letter, he pulled out a pen and paper. It gave me a good laugh. He mentioned he was going to stay in Franklin tonight to get some better rest and then start increasing his miles to what our pace has been.

Before we knew it, the shuttle showed up and took us to the Budget Inn is Franklin. The Inn is owned by the same guy who owned the Inn we stayed at in Hiawassee, Ron Haven. Ron is a great guy and very hiker friendly. He owns a view motels/inns along the trail. He has staff that runs shuttles to and from the town as well as into the towns for resupply and what not. Ron actually showed up this afternoon and started driving the shuttle himself. He took quite a few people to an outfitter and then was going to take them to Wal-Mart and even some to the movie theater. He even offered to take us back to the trail if we were still there later this evening. He definitely has a good heart to help out people like us.

From the hotel, Will and Jimmy went to pick us some packages sent to the local post office. The rest of us headed to the Ingles to get some food for the next two days. Soon enough, W and J showed up and said they had gotten us a ride to the Three Eagles Outfitter. We all piled in to an SUV and it turned out the lady driving was the mother of the manager for the outfitter. She was very nice. At the outfitter we all purchased the items we needed or at least thought we needed. I left with a new pair of rain gloves and camp shoes. I am going to try them out over the next few days and send what I don't want back with Michelle who is meeting me at the NOC. Stickerbush and Danger Mouse (Nora officially said that was her trail name) got a taxi and ran some more errands. W, J, and I headed back toward a pizza joint that a few had recommended. Soon enough a guy in an exercusion pulled over to give us a ride. I wish I could remember his name, but it has slipped my mind. He told us he had to go pick up his daughter so we ended up riding with him to a local church to pick her up from day school. He then dropped us off at Main Street Pizza. While thankimg him, I noticed he was a UT alumn. He actually had gome to UT Memphis for dental school.

Stickerbush and DM met us, and we had a great lunch. If you are ever in Franklin, the stop at Main Street Pizza. After lunch, S and DM headed back to the trail. W, J, and I went back to the Budget Inn to figure out how to get Jimmy back to his car near Helen...some 60 miles away. We ended up finding a guy, but it wasn't cheap. We sent Jimmy on his way amd then waited a few more hours for a former co-worker of mine to arrive. Once Brad arrived, we said our goodbyes to those at the Inn, including Caribou and Yolo. Caribou has my number and is going to try to meet up with us. I'm looking forward to getting a chance to hang out with him and see life through the way he experiences it.

Also looking forward to hanging out with Brad. I like having the chance of people meeting me along the way. You don't even have to hike. Feel free to help with a ride to a town, surprise us with food, or even just stop to say hello. The experience with Sleepy Pizza and Clark was one I will never forget. I really am glad I got to hang out with them and am looking forward to it happening again down the road. Stuart and I are already planning the Smokies and a hostel further north.

Brad, Will, and I started to walk back to the trail head which was 10 miles from town. With my thumb out, a small SUV pulled over. It was a couple probably in their 30's. We told them where we were going and they told us to get in. Then they realized there were 3 of us needing to fit in their vehicle which was already occupied by two baby seats. The moved the seats to the back, and the three us us, with our packs in our laps, headed back out to the trail around 7 or 8 this evening.

We hiked a mile in to a site where SB and DM had already set up. Also here are a brother and sister duo we met two days ago, Gilly and Skylar. We had a quick dinner just in time to get camp set up and the bear bags hung before the rain. It is raining right now and the wind is picking up. Time for me to join the others for a little rest. Looking to do 16 miles tomorrow. Keep on keepin' on.

BowTie