4/21/99 Sassafrass Mtn   Miles Today : 11 Miles from Springer 11:

What an amazing day today has already been. My friend Jeff took me to Waffle House this morning for one last big breakfast. Then we headed north with the intention of dropping me off at Nimblewood Gap. However, his car couldn't make it up the road to get there. No Problem, I just hitched a ride with a family from Dahlongda! I rode in the back of their pickup truck, talking to their daughter (Elfi??). She told me all about her two kids and even showed me pictures. Then she gave me a pack of gum for good luck. TRAIL MAGIC!

The hike for Springer was tough, with a small area to view the valley. At 12:05 today I passed my first white blaze. I hiked alone for the first five miles or so, when I bumped into John, another Thru-hiker. He was taking a break at the church Gazebo/cemetery....no joke, I have pictures!!!

Hiked with John for a while, but he was having knee problems. I did get him to snap a picture of me standing inside a tree.

Stopped at a shelter to get more water and see who was there. Met Free2Go and Hillbilly Hiker, 2 brothers from VA. Free2Go was a Thru-Hiker and HH had a really long red beard (3+ feet).

Well, I pushed on afew more miles to the summit at Sassfros Mtn, but I am low on H2O. Bugs are out in full force, but I am trying to live with them. Well, almost time for the sunset, and I should be rain-free for the weekend. Looking for good mileage tomorrow.

-Chomp

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