4/24/99 Tray Mountain Shelter   Miles Today : 14.8 Miles from Springer : 56.2

So much went on today I don't even know where to begin. First, the night in the most rat infested shelter on the AT was interesting. Carl was there and he has been sending himself rat traps: almost instantly, we caught 2. Then, in the middle of the night, the third trap went off but didn't kill the mouse since the hammer got him in the back. Well, Mike was closest and he proceeded to beat the mouse to death with his sandal. Then, with said sandal, slap shotted the mouse trap out of the shelter. Not a great day for those against cruelty to animals, but a fine day in the battle between mouse and thru-hiker.

Anyway, today was Mike's last day on the trail and he had a car at Unicoi Gap (GAP from HELL). It's too bad because Mike and I hiked about the same pace. Anyway, he offered to drive me to Helen. This meant I would be able to :

1. Call my girlfriend
2. Adjust my mail drops which are too heavy
3. See if I could find Dave Grossman
4. Chow down

Well, Mike was out in front today, and when I descended the GAP FROM HELL, poof, another Trail Angel.

Pastor Richard W. Horn was at the parking area with ice-cold water pumped from a well and twice filtered. Also, there was Shane, another Thru-Hiker. Mike agreed to give us both a lift to town and Richard agreed to pick us up. TRAIL MAGIC.

So after making a phone call, looking for some Café (unsuccessful) and wolfing down KFC with Shane, Richard showed up at the parking lot promptly at 2:30. WOW.

Anyway, Richard is retired and this is his new hobby. We got to hear about the town, the kids at his church and the Baptist religion. Then he filled up our waterbottles and sent us on our way. Now I am sitting here at Tray Mtn. Shelter with Shane. Get this: he is from Texas, 23 years old and painting murals for a living. He painted ONE to fund this trip. He is a cool guy and very mellow. Hates to hike but loves to camp, go figure. OK, well that's all for now. Also here are Mike, his duaghter(?) and their dog Lucky. The fire building should keep the bugs away, and the dog should scare the mice away. NICE.

-Chomp

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