Georgia on my mind (1)

Day 1: I took Friday off and bolted down to Blairsville GA to meet up with the "Trail Dames", who are are a bunch of nice ladies from the ATL (Atlanta) area of GA. They had formed an all womens hiking group, which I found on whiteblaze.net. The organizer, Mudd Butt, was really great in making me feel welcomed to join their hike. We had planned on hiking around 17-18 miles from Woody Gap to Hog Pen Gap on the Appalachian trail and I could not wait to get my feet back on the AT!

I acutally left work Thurs. evening around 4:30pm to make it to the famous Moutain Crossing at Walasi-Yi hiker hostel in Neels Gap. It is notable as the only place where the 2,175-mile-long Appalachian Trail passes through a man-made structure. It is currently the first mail-drop available to northbound thru-hikers that does not require them to leave the trail. It's a modern outfitter store in a rustic setting. Very charming building and hostel (in the daytime).

For the last 2 miles, I flicked on the fog lights and slowly twisted my way up the curvy mountain. I finally pulled up to the outfitters around 9pm and let me tell you, what a spooky sight. It was pitch black and the fog had rolled in as thick as pea soup! I could barely see 10 ft. in front of me. It was eerily dark and quiet when I got out the car and I could barely make out the stone builiding. There was only one street light on and thick fog floating all around. I was a bit creeped out b/c I was the only person there and visions of some Harry Potter movie scene of the creepy dark forest flashed through my over active imagination. I ran up the stone stairs only to find out what I had already knew, (but still had hope for), the outfitter was closed. I walked down a bit and saw a glow from a coke machine. I went up to investigate where it was coming from and nearly tripped over some more stairs that took me to the communal bathrooms, showers, and laundry room. After finding no one, I felt my way along the wall back down the dark hall and stairs. I started to get really paranoid when I saw a small light with a door. I didn't care who answered, as long as SOMEONE opened the door. I pounded on the door and a young good looking guy answered. I stammered out an apology for it knocking on his door so late, but that I was looking for the trail dames and I thought they were staying here. He politely tells me the hostel is right around the corner and down a flight of stairs. I thank him, (secretly wishing he would of been a gentleman and escorted me) and re-enter the fog filled, dark hallway. I find the steep, stone stairs, descend and come face to face with a big wooden door. I knock hard, creek open the door, and peer in. I am greeted with 9 smiles and big hellos. YAY!!! I made it. Pirate is the caretaker of the hostel, and offers me smothered pork chops, potatos, and chocolate cake! (YUM!) I take a look around the hostel and see an eclectic style that can only be called "hiker chic" hahaha! There were purple string lights hanging from the ceiling, apropo pirate flags, skull and bone motifs, books about hiking, and photos of several 2008 Thru-hikers that stayed here during their hike. After taking it all in, I finally make introductions with the trail dames. I also met 6 southbound hikers! It was so surreal to have been reading so many AT journals, then to come face to face with a real life AT thru-hiker. I felt like I was in a dream. I met a husband and wife team, by the name of "Crackers" and "Silver Potatos". Two young guys from VA, one by the name of "Big John" for his height, he had to be over 6 and a half feet tall, (and I forgot the other ones name), and a father and son team. How cool is that! To hike the trail with your dad!! They were so gracious, and even excited to answer my many, many questions. I definitely took advantage and picked their brains about the trail, their favorite spots, the least fav, what they ate, drank, what they missed the most etc... But the best part of meeting these thru-hikers, was knowing that they had hiked over 2100 miles to get to this point and they were only 30 miles away from their goal, 30 miles from Springer Mt., 30 miles from finishing a major accomplishment, 30 miles til they have to assimilate back into the "real world." I totally admire these guys for making it this far. After living a life outdoors for 4 to 6 months with their only concern is "what am I eating today?, do I have enough water?, where am I sleeping tonight?, and how many miles do I want to hike?" I can't help but wonder if they are ready to just stop hiking. They are literally, on the fringe of converting from a quiet, simple life, to re-entering a fast paced, fast moving, bright light, too many distractions world. I hope they are able to "re-enter" without to many problems. In all the trailjournals I've read, it seemed as if almost everyone has had a rough time assimilating back into "reality".

So, after meeting these true idols, I finally bring in my pack, enter the sleeping area (a room with 8 bunkbeds) I claim my bed (#9 lower bunk) and unpack my sleeping bag. WOW, I can smell the thousands of hikers that have slept here before, you can't miss it, but its part of the adventure and history of this place. There is no way my boo would be able to handle it. He can't even load the dishwasher without gagging! hhahaha! Mudd Butt offers to "tuckerize" (check my bag) to make sure I'm not taking extra stuff. I take up her offer and I explode all my gear in the living room floor and we go thru each item. She re-arranges a few things, throws out a few things, and helps me repack. I really do appreciate her advise, after all she has thru hiked and I consider that an expert on packing a backpack. So I learned a few new things. Around 12am, we finally get to bed and as I'm snuggling down my into my sleeping bag, visions of 6th grade camp start bubbling up along with the giggles. I love it!