5/5/99 Gatlinburg, TN   Miles Today : 4.5 Miles from Springer : 203.6

- AM Edition -

Well its 8:15 and everyone is still in their sleeping bags. The rain is falling heavy, with thunder and lightening all around. Could be awhile before I get going.

- Gatlinburg -

Wow, what a nasty day. Rick and I got to Newtownd Gap around 11 today and the rains were heavy and the visibility was < 100 feet.

I decided to head to town since my pack was essentially trashed. The straps were slipping and all the weight was hanging on my shoulders. Rick decided to join me for lunch and a weather check at least.

We got picked up by this really nice couple from southern Illinois who were in the area to see the wildflowers and then their daughter in Durham. They got caught in the same weather and felt bad so they stopped , only the 5th car to go by!

After arriving in town, eating Pizza Hut and replacing my pack, a quick check of the weather showed nothing good until the next day. The outfitter, the Happy Hiker, pointed us to a $25 motel w/TV, phone and hot water. Over the course of the day, we bumped into several other Thru-Hikers who bailed from the Smokies, including Drive-By, Monk and Stop and Go Bill. Turns out the weather was terrible all day and the hikers kept bailing out of the mountains.

Gatlinburg is a very interesting town. For those Northerners reading this, its a cross between N. Conway and Hampton Beach; with the worst of both. Apparently, its unofficial nickname is "Armpit of the Smokies". Like N. Conway, anyone wanting to drive into the park has to go through the center of town. Like Hampton, there is crap on every corner.

There is a Ripley's Believe It or Not, a Space needle, a Space Chairlift, a Terror Hall and a Star Car Tours (famous cars from movies and TV). But for my needs, the town had laundry, Mexican food, and beer so it was just fine with me. Rick and I ate dinner and watched the weather, looks like that tornado storm is heading this way. I hope to get 10-15 miles in tomorrow, but that will be dependent on what the storm does.

For tonight, I am just happy to see sports highlights (The bruins made it to the second round!!!) and watch South Park and Powerpuff Girls.

-Chomp

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