And a difficult day it will be with long steep climbs up and down.
Yesterday made it to Blue Mountain Shelter by 3:30. I was getting water about .1 of a mile from shelter when another hiker came along and said "did you see the bear in the tree about 1/2 mile back on trail?" It was just sitting there watching him pass which means it was just sitting there watching me pass.
The shelter was very nice but the privy was disgusting. You open the lid and hundreds of nasty flies were buzzing around and flying out the opening.
I was also disgusting after several days with no shower. Why is it that human beings smell so bad when other animals don't?
Packman and eventually 5 other women were spending the night. The Ridge Runner then joined us. His job is to walk up and down the whole AT Georgia trail for 6 months looking for problems. He told us that at the road crossing in 2 more miles we could call Gene and get a ride into Hiawassee about 15 miles away. Now that 2 miles is down a difficult steep decline. I thought it was too early to stop and the thought of a shower gave me energy. Packman wanted food and decided to come too but the other women were too tired. So we packed up our stuff and left the shelter for the hour and half decline. On way down we met 2 boys and their fathers coming up. They were all excited because they just saw a baby bear running down the trail. No doubt scared by Packman and me. So walked rest of way knowing a momma bear was nearby. It was fine with me that Packman never stops talking.
We got our shuttle to the Budget Inn (and well named). While I took a long hot shower (greatest luxury ever invented) Packman went for an "all you can eat" dinner. We are sharing the room. I ate at Subway and then washed my clothes while wearing my rain gear cause only have one set of clothes. Then we spent a pleasant evening on chairs outside our rooms talking with the 5 churchmen who had been on the trail with us but 4 were going home while the 5th will be walking with us with his newly arrived son for another week.
Never knew Georgia was so beautiful. Maybe prettiest place I've ever been.
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