04/03

Our day started with a quick hike out of camp and back to the trail. I made the mistake of walking past the privy with my mouth open, trying to catch my breath… lesson learned. Once on trail it was a good 6.5 miles into “Woody Gap”. The fog that’s been following us like a psychotic ex lover wasted no time coating us with a thin veil of moisture. Combined with the muddiest of trails, we were certainly ready for some creature comforts. At the base of the mountain awaited our prearranged shuttle. Out of a white 2009 Tahoe popped “Scuttle” our driver. After throwing our packs in the back, he zipped up the windy mountain roads. “You gotta be careful round here, some people speed on these corners” as he proceeds to go 60 in a 35. Nevertheless I appreciated his haste.

Upon arrival “Lucky” the hostel’s caretaker showed us and the other hikers to our beds and took our cloths for laundry service. Provided with some loaner cloths (old t-shirts and pajamas pants) us and a few other hikers walked a half mile down the road to a local convenience store. Looking as though we had just escaped a mental hospital, we blended right in with the locals of Suches Georgia. Each of us placed an order of pizza and wings, which the one employee then had the pleasure of making. Thank you for your service Raj. The food was surprisingly good. We sat next a buck mounted on the wall and sketchy slot machines that apparently donate their proceeds to the local pre-k.

With our resupply of pop tarts and peanuts in hand we made it back to the hostel and took advantage of showers and get this, REAL TOILETS! Doesn’t take much to impress at this point. The rest of the evening was filled with good conversation in the common areas and time well spent with the farm cat “Blaze”. A quick call to the parents to let them know we’re still alive and then off to bed.

Maybe it was the “real food” or the chance to get to know some familiar faces off trail, but today felt good. Sure made up for that mouth full of privy air.