March 19 - Burningtown Gap to A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

Had a cup of hot chocolate mixed with a little taste of Starbucks Via coffee and a Balance lemon meringue protein bar for breakfast from my hiker food bag at the Aquone Hostel. Took my box to mail home down to Maggie and they took my picture to put on their thru-hiker wall.  Thanked Maggie for everything and gave her a hug. I hope one day to bring G-4 back here for a weekend at one of their cabins and to hike with him along this stretch of the trail. Steve drove me back to Burningtown Gap and I thanked him for the super hospitality.

Decided to let the "mountain embrace me" -- kind of backwards from what Steve had suggested but decided my arms were not long enough to embrace the mountain. It was a beautiful sunny day; quite a contrast to yesterday.

After walking about 3 miles, I saw a side trail (0.1 East to a view) and decided to take it.  It was a little up hill but easily doable.

I was rewarded with this view from Rocky Bald. I spent about 30 minutes here just letting the mountain embrace me. Spent a little time in prayer giving thanks for this beautiful day and the ability to walk in God's creation.



About two miles later I reached Tellico Gap. The beauty is somewhat marred by huge power lines but I decided to sit on the steps which lead up from the gap and take time for lunch. This was the first time I actually stopped and had a decent lunch break on the trail. I was by myself for a time and then Just Dan walked up followed in just a short time by Kyle. They sat down too and we enjoyed talking. Just Dan had left his newly purchased block of cheese in the motel refrigerator at Franklin.  I told him I had written myself a note both in Franklin and at the Aquone Hostel and placed it on my food bag so that I would remember to get my block of cheese out of the refrigerators. I knew I couldn't eat all of the cheese so I cut off a hunk for Just Dan and Kyle. Just Dan shared three mini peanut butter cups with me. I had a turkey jerky sandwich with mayo on a sandwich thin.  It was quite tasty along with my extra sharp cheddar which I ate on the side.

As I finished lunch Nails and husband, Dirtdog came up. We talked a couple of minutes and it was time for me to head UP again. It was a short up though ...777 feet in 1.4 miles. Still I was huffing ! What a reward though on this clear day - Wesser Bald observation tower. Kyle took this pic of me.  Thanks Kyle !

I met Dump Truck, Clever Girl and Apollo (most recently from NYC, they said). I had seen Clever Girl arrive at Fresh Grounds trail magic a few days ago but I was heading out as they were coming in. It was nice to meet them and talk a little.

This is Just Dan. We had lunch together below; he left Tellico Gap after me but soon passed me and arrived at the tower ahead of me.
 

Had the view all to myself for a few minutes and then Kyle climbed up. You will hear his first response ..



My reference to feeling like the Appalachian Trail was "my home"  takes me back to an earlier blog entry before I began the journey. I posted Philip Phillips song, Home and noted that I felt it was a promise from God that He would make the AT my home for the length of the journey.  Today, I realized for the first time that I felt at home on the trail.  What a gift this day was for me. Thank you, Lord.

Everyone left and I stayed here a while enjoying the quiet and the beauty. I thought I might see Nails and Dirtdog but they must have taken quite a lunch break. I walked on ...

Originally I thought I might stop at Wesser Bald Shelter for the night which would have made for a 7 mile day. It was about 3:00 pm when I walked by it. I could see one food bag hanging from the bear cables; I paused and thought about walking down to the shelter but decided to move on.

My first flower; the trail was narrow and I couldn't move to get it out of my shadow

 After walking about 2 more miles, this was my view.  I wondered if somehow I had gotten off the trail ... but soon realized this must be the Jumpoff (noted in my guide) but I didn't know what that meant. 

I walked up and at the top of the pic where it looks like just sky -- it was !  There was a steep down to a point on a rock and the trail ended.  The trail made  hard right hand turn down some very steep rocks and I couldn't believe that was where I needed to go.  But first I made a video of this unique spot. It was very windy at this place. You can see down to the Nantahala River valley and in the distance are the Smokey Mountains ... onward !



I made it down to the flat part of the trail by sitting down and scooting down on my bottom. My legs weren't long enough to make the steps down. I think it was about 4 PM and I continued North. As 5 PM approached I began to look for a site to set up my little Hubba for the night. I thought perhaps this would be the first night on the trail where I would be by myself all night and face one of my fears.  It had been a very special day and I was open to the idea. I was also getting tired and wasn't sure if I could complete an 11.9 mile day.

After the Jumpoff there was a stretch of really tough rocks with some big downs on rocks and I was wishing I had stayed at Wesser Bald Shelter and waited for fresh legs to do this part of the trail but there was no going back at this point. 

Finally I came upon a place I could set up my tent and I noticed there was a tarp and another tent set up. As I walked in, I could see a shelter and privy.  I had arrived at A. Rufus Morgan Shelter.  It was about 6 PM.  I was relieved to be there.  Just Dan had set up a hammock under the tarp and he said - WOW -- you had quite a day. I think that was his way of complimenting me in my advanced years. Kyle was in the process of setting up his tent.


I set up my tent not far from the tree where my trekking poles rest, got water, and went up to the shelter to cook dinner.

That's Johnny Cash (Lucas from NYC, 18 yrs. of age) reading. Broken Pack is in the blue sleeping bag and he raised his head up ocasionaly to talk.  I didn't hear anything from the other two sleeping bags. The next day I learned Bean and Vice were in those bags. I cooked my dinner and went to my tent.

About 9 PM a fighter jet flew over.  What a sound !  I thought it sounded like it might crash into the woods. G-4 later told me that it was a certain maneuver they do at night. It seemed so odd to be in the wilderness and to suddenly hear that sound.  I had a great nights' sleep; didn't even wear my ear plugs. I'm growing accustomed to the sounds of the night ....