Start of Week Two

On Saturday, March 26 I walked 10.8 miles in an all day cold rain arriving at the shelter area.  I set up my tent and ate a dehydrated meal of pasta primavera.  Dehydrated dinners are popular.  What a treat to have a lighter backpack!  I went to sleep at 8:00 PM and awoke at 7:00 AM.  The last time I slept 11 hours I must have been a teen or in college after an all night cramming session.  Unfortunately the rain made mud everywhere--on my shoes, clothes, tent, backpack, etc.  I loaded up my gear on Sunday morning and started out.  For many hours the visibility was 75 yards at most as a cloudy mist covered the mountains.  Then as if someone opened the shades at home, the clouds lifted and the sun came out.  I hiked 9.4 miles over an extremely rocky tree rooted path.  Only my hiking sticks kept me from falling several times.  I stopped mid afternoon to call my wife.  I told her I was sitting on top of a mountain and all I could see in all directions were mountains.  On Sunday night I stayed at a Super 8 motel in Helen, GA, the Gatlinburg of Georgia, 50.8 miles from the start of the trail.  Every building looks like a chalet.  I'm getting a late start this morning because the weather forecast looks good this afternoon and evening and all day Tuesday.  However rain is forcasted for Wednesday and Thursday