My arrival at Neels Gap was important because the weather was forecast to get ugly and the Mountain Crossings resupply store there also represented a roof over my head, a shower, and a bed to sleep on in the form of a Hostel located next to the resupply store. The hot shower was great (I showered in my clothes as an approximation of doing laundry), the roof was adequate, but the bed was comparable to my pad on the ground. But at least it was dry.

The weather the next day was predicted to be even worse with a potential for severe (hail, winds, very slight tornado potential). Some friends I had met found a nice cabin down the road a bit which they offered to let me crash at for a night. It sounded much nicer than the hostel, and considering the weather I felt taking my first “zero” day seemed appropriate. Since I had picked up supplies already, everyone else ran into town to get provisons for the next section of the hike. They also came back with the makings for an awesome dinner and of course some beer and wine. We had quite the party that night with stuffed sausage burgers, salad and drinks. It’s awesome being able to eat high calorie food and not being too worried about how I’m ever going to work it off.

I guess this is a good time to introduce my tramily (a “trail family”). These are folks that you end up seeing repeatedly as you leapfrog each other down the trail or from campsite to campsite. Ruckus has a tattoo that says “Let’s start some ruckus” across his belly. He’s a big guy with a big personality and a big red beard. Rosie (her cheeks turn red easily) is an older Australian woman who is making her dream happen. Mica is a younger woman turning 21 while one the trail who is studying geological science. Twigs is a skinny guy who attempted to thru hike last year but had to return to school before making the end. Instead of picking up where he left off he decided to start over and do the whole thing. Chief is a younger guy who is recovering from addiction to just about every substance you can think of. He has a good heart though and I think he’s really going to come to some important discoveries about himself on this adventure. Yogi teaches us all stretches and is also from Wyoming, so it works two ways. And Bruno is a French guy who lives in Phoenix. He recently quit being an EMT after it started affecting his sleep, and since he had saved enough money he was able to make this trip before figuring out what to do next. It seems to be a common theme for people to come out here with some uncertainty about what they’re going to do afterward. It’s a position I can relate to myself. As for me, I’m having a hard time with the trail name thing… Weatherman or Storm Chaser may stick after geeking out endlessly about the severe storms we had roll through at Neels Gap.

While there still existed the chance for severe weather the next day, it was time to get back on the trail. The morning hike was great. Lovely weather, and a knee brace I picked up was working wonderfully on my previously sore right knee. However I knew the passing front was going to spark some storms in the afternoon. Sure enough the clouds darkened as I approached the peak of one of these north Georgia hills and KAPOW a really close lightning strike caused my heart to jump. A wall of water approached as I geared up and battened down the hatches doe what I knew was coming. I was practically running to get off the top of this hill and was relieved when finally on my way down. The trail was a flowing stream though as the sky unleashed buckets on me. I was hiking alone and hadn’t seen anyone for a while. I was hoping all my tramily was safe. I finally got to the bottom of the mountain to find some trail magic! This magic was in the form of two easy up tents with about 15 people huddled under them trying to get out of the rain. As soon as I squeezed in the storm peaked. A stream of water flowed over our feet as the hard rain turned to small hail. It looked like it snowed on the hillside. Finally the storm let up and I finished my day’s hiking in the constant rain, rumbling thunder, and thick mist. It was my first 10+ mile day.

I have to remind myself that I’m still “training” for this. While I managed 11.5 miles yesterday, it doesn’t mean I can pull that off today. I find alternating long and short days seems to be the right rhythm for now. Everyone assures me it will all seem the same before long. The long days certainly take their toll on my knees, especially with the 3 1000-ft “mountains” leading into Dick’s Creek Gap, my destination for this section. Blue Mountain, Rocky Mountain, Tray Mountain, and finally Kelly’s Knob where all butt-kickers with a 38 lb pack on.

So I made it to Dick’s Creek Gap, home of the Top of Georgia hostel. I had to pick up my ID in the mail since I forgot to pack it. Then headed into town. The night before was rough… Windy storms brought 30 mph winds down on my tent and around midnight it sounded like the neighbors turned the spigot on me it rained so hard. I packed up wet and skipped breakfast just to get on the trail. So you can bet I was needing a night in the Holiday Inn rather than the hiker hostel. The Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee is pricey but a welcomed splurge. And meeting back up with my tramily from before was nice. I keep telling them I may be slow but I’m persistent.

Now that I’ve got a cushy place to stay I need to take stock of the weather situation. Today’s Friday, I have to resupply and ship some things home and probably have another gluttonous meal in town on Saturday and I’ll be ready to go again. Unfortunately an enhanced area of severe storms is forecast for Sunday. The slight risk last week that brought some pea sized hail and lightning I chose to walk through. However an enhanced risk forecast represents another level of severety that I’m concerned about. I know what this means… I’ve driven through it numerous times. I know enough about it to know I don’t think I want to be out hiking or in a tent when it does happen.

Zeroes are tough though. A zero in an average affects the end result dramatically. Naturally zeroes are planned into this adventure. But to take two in a row, after already taking my first last week, represents a big step backward on my progress. I think I will fall back to my pilot training and recognize that get-there-itis (actual medical term) does not warrant going into unsafe conditions. I’ll probably bite the bullet and ride it out somewhere comfortable.

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