Hiawassee

Today I hiked 6 miles and then caught a ride into Hiawassee from a family with a Mom, Dad, daughter and two dogs. Them along with myself and the 3 Brits with all four packs made it a crowded car ride, but the family was very nive to drive us the 11 miles into town, which was 9 miles out of their way.

In town I went to the post office and got a mail drop from my mom with snack bars, drink mixes, beef jerky and my cell phone charger. Then I headed over to the local pharmacy and picked up two different knee pads since they only carry one of each kind. The picture of me wearing these stylish bad boys will follow. Then I went to Hardees to get some lunch and charge my electric devices. An extra value meal at Hardees is over $8!!! That is crazy, I could get a huge meal at the Huddle House for that price. Then I went to the grocery store and got an apple, some mac and cheese and some candy bars.

As I was ready to leave town I was walking down the street talking on the phone and a car pulled of and offered me a ride. It was a very nice woman who loved the trail and again drove out of the way to drop me back at the trail 11 miles outside of town.

Back at the trailhead I ran into Bob and Jeff who were both taking a break. I headed up the first hill with a head full of steam from Hardees. I quickly got exhausted. I'm not sure if it was burger burnout, the new knee pads, the warm weather or just edhaustion but every step of the 5 miles to the shelter was a chore.

The forecast for tomorrow is rain so I wanted to stay in a shelter tonight. The Plumorchard shelter is a 3 story shelter that was 2/3rds full with 8 fireman from Florida. The shelter finished being full when the Brits showed up to completly fill the shelter. Also at the shelter tonight but camped out are Bob, Jeff, and 8 time thru hiker Baltimore Jack.

The plan for dinner was mac and cheese, but Baltimore Jack brought Caesar Salad, asparagus, pork roast and potato salad and had plenty of extras so I added pork to my mac and cheese and it was amazing.