3/20/01
The rain/snow mix started last night as our shuttle van full of thru-hikers motored back to Goose Creek Cabins from the small town of Blairsville. It was nice to have all the comforts of home last night. We awoke to heavy rain and high winds. It was an easy decision to make ... time for a day off the trail! Sometimes common sense is the better part of valor. We caught the shuttle up to Neel's Gap. On the way up, the precipitation changed to snow, and it was blizzard conditions for all practical purposes. One by one, thru-hikers trudged in to the outfitter soaked to the bone. It was a great chance to catch up with our hiker community and confirm our wise decision to stay put!
I took advantage of the 18 years experience of Jeff and Dorothy who run the Neel's Gap outfitters working with thru-hiker problems. I got Jeff to take a look at my blisters. After spending the better part of the morning with me, Jeff convinced me to try a different boot. No offense, Jason, if you're reading this, but I have to find a solution to this blister issue so I figured another pair of boots is a lot cheaper than a doctor visit and four days off the trail in a motel! Jeff has seen it all with the thousands of thru-hikers that pass through the gap every year, and he really understands the issues. As a side note, Jeff and Dorothy are selling the business to Winton Porter from Atlanta, who really knows the business and will do a great job going forward. Tomorrow I'll get a chance to see how good these guys really are - with the new boots.
After spending half a day at the outfitter we headed back to Goose Creek cabins for a relaxing afternoon, going through our packs in search of items to remove to cut weight, writing journals, and visiting with thur-hikers in the lodge. We had dinner in Blairsville with Slow and Steady. Slow amazed us with her recollection that her very first camping night ever was the first night on the AT! What a leap of faith and bravery to plan to live the next six months sleeping on the ground without ever trying it first. Tonight we hung out in the lodge with Kelley and Dave, Freebird and Dimples, Red, Slow and Steady, Duracell, Ray the Hiking Scribe, and Carl. Keith of the Goose Creek Cabins was a most gracious host and we had a great time here. Paula and I will have to come back and stay sometime. Having a blast! Back on the trail in the snow tomorrow! Rabbit
