5/20/99 Laurel Creek Lodge   Miles Today : 14.9 Miles from Springer : 411.0

What another amazing day on the trail. The weather could not have been better and I got a nice early start from the shelter at 8:00. Arrived at the Kincoura Hostel around 10:00 to find it packed; so much for my easy day! Also, I just missed Drive-By by less that 2 hours. Now I was on a mission.

There was one tough climb today, the one over Pond Flats and I plain knocked the snot out of it, what a great feeling. By the time I got just before Wataga Lake/Dam however, my legs and body told me to stop. After doing 73+ miles in 4 days I was beat.

I got a ride into Hampton from some older gentlemen who had day-hiked the area. I hopped in the back of his truck and he offers me a cold Coors ( note: Free alcohol #1 ). Score! I get to Browns Grocery, where I loaded up on junk food and 2 thru-hikers tell me about how great their stay at Laurel Creek Lodge was. I had heard earlier that it was a nice place, but these guys were raving about it. They were waiting for the owner, Dennis, to drop their packs off so when he showed up, I asked him for a ride. Turns out he had a full car to Damascus but it was only 5 miles away and an easy hitch. Cool.

The 6th car passing by was driver by Louie Green, a Hampton resident with a cabin in the hills near the hostel. We got to talking ( it was a very windy 6 miles ) and he asked me if I wanted to see his place; he had built it by hand. Well, his cabin was incredible. Truly the result of hard work and very careful craftsmanship. The place was decorated with all sorts of antiques from different parts of the country. Louie has worked two jobs for most of his life and retired at the age of 48. We sat out behind his cabin, by the river, drinking Jack and Cokes ( free alcohol #2 ) for two or three hours. A little after 5:00 or so, Louie dropped me at the campground. He told me to drop him a line when I finish, and I intent to do so.

At the campground, I bumped into Fun Tracker, who offers me a Schlitz ( #3 ). I quickly find out that this is the best hostel on the AT so far. Plenty of cabins, each with a TV, a great shower room and the right attitude. After doing some laundry, showering and soaking in the HOT TUB, I went to dinner. This included hearty portions of salad, bread, lasagna, and apple pie. During dinner Dennis brought out a full bottle of red wine ( #4 ), free! Then, after dessert, a local friend brought over some "White Lighting", or genuine Tennessee Moonshine! ( #5 ).

Conversation was abundant between myself, Fun Tracker (a 96 thru-hiker), Little D, Pink ( John ), and Pan. This place is so great, I am thinking about taking tomorrow off, but we will see. Having an absolutely wonderful time and looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

-Chomp

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