May 8, 2004

I hiked out of Nolinchucky Gorge with Bear this morning after stopping by a hostel to pick up some bug spray.  We were sad to learn that a fellow hiker had been taken to ER after a millipede bite caused a serious reaction and will require several days of i.v. antibiotics.  Bear and I weighed ourselves.  Bear has lost 28 pounds to date.  I'm still at minus one so I have sworn off Krispy Kremes for life! 

We hiked 16.3 miles today over Beauty Spot. Bear was leading at one point and yelled, "Oh _ _ _ _!"  I was equally startled to see the huge black snake hiking southbound on the A.T.!  We both froze until it slithered downhill.  As we were climbing Unaka Mountain, a 5,180 foot elevation, the skies darkened and thunder teased us with intermittent booms which became more and more frequent.  We picked up our pace to race pace hoping to summit before the dark clouds emptied themselves.  The changing weather atop Unaka had a movie like eeriness.  The red spruce reminded me of what I expect in the Maine woods.  So...Bear and I took photos and sat down for a snack before pressing on in the now steady downfall.  We had 2.7 miles yet to hike to reach the Cherry Gap Shelter and I slipped and sidled the entire way!  I ended my 16.3 mile day resembling a mud wrestler, but thoroughly appreciating the campfire awaiting the weary, wet hikers!  At this writing, I am in my tent and a band of coyotes were howling...very cool. 364 miles and still experiencing unique sights, sounds, and smells from mother nature on the A.T.