4/25/01
The tent was wet from a cold humid night that brought no additional rain. It felt like winter again and Hip and I were anxious to hike to Dennis Cove where we knew a hostel was waiting. We weren't sure exactly how far we had to go so I set the pace from our makeshift campsite to Moreland Gap shelter. I reached the shelter in an hour and ten minutes and we decided we were only 2.3 miles from the shelter when we limped in last evening to that campsite. We then hiked on and reached White Rocks Mountain fire tower where I got a chance to catch up on things with "Mo" Sullivan and her dog Addy who I hadn't seen since Wesser. Hip and I made it to Dennis Cove by lunch time and opted for the Laurel Creek Lodge and cabins. We made a great decision. We secured a private cabin with two double beds, a private bathroom/shower, and unlimited access to the hot tub, all for $12.50/night. Mary and Dennis Hutchins have got a great place for hikers and non-hikers to stay. We had a great leisurely afternoon to recover from the grueling day yesterday. Cheeseburgers for lunch! ! Then a shower and laundry were in order. Dennis and Alex showed up (now known as "Jeopardy" and "Java"). Then Doodlebug showed up after she had slackpacked 9 miles back to the lodge. I hadn't seen her since way back at Rainbow Springs campground the night we had to keep stoking the woodstove to stay warm. Jeopardy and I shot a little basketball while waiting for the afternoon shuttle to town (Elizabethton, TN). I met "Aswah" (the French Chef), "Dread," John and Sharon, "Groundhog" and "Flipper the Flounder", all thru-hikers I had not previously met. We loaded in the van around 4 p.m. and Mary drove us to a little shopping center in town. I got a much needed haircut, a milkshake, then shopped at Winn Dixie. Since the Laurel Creek Lodge had a full kitchen for hikers, I decided to combine part of my trail meal with some real food. Hip joined me. We bought steaks, mushrooms and onions and french fries. We fired up the grill when we returned to the Lodge, sautéed the vegetables, I made rice, and we had a fantastic dinner. Then it was on to the hot tub for 30 minutes of relaxation. Ah, what a day! Life is tough sometimes on the AT, so we need to pamper ourselves, right? The evening was culminated with some journaling. Today's stats: low 39 degrees, high 57. Sunny. Today's mileage: 8.1 Cumulative mileage: 404.5.
