#012 Day 7: Deep Gap Shelter to Bly Gap ATMM 65.6– 78.2
Magic abounds on and around the trail.
I catch up with Problem Child just south of Rich Cove Gap. We have not heard from JS or Mosey in a couple of days but stick with the original plan of hiking to the border then backtracking to the gap and hike down the steep gravel road towards Hiawassee GA.
We begin talking about the guy who helped me get my bag out of the tree. She says that he is low on money and food, that he will be getting off the trail before he had planned to. I wish I knew that last night or this morning. I would have given him the rest of my food and a some money. I can’t help him now, but I owe a debt that I will repay on the trail someday.
We make it to a sign nailed to a tree that reads, “NC/GA”. This marks our finish line. We stop to take a photo of each other to mark our finish line.
Problem Child tells me of a twisted tree that had grown out in all directions at Bly Gap. We walk a little farther into North Carolina. She heard it was a “must see,” and it is. It sits in the open by the trail. The split base immediately runs parallel to the ground then shoots up and many directions like the antlers of an elk. We take pictures of it, pose with it, on it, and in it, then backtrack to the gravel road.
Walking southward towards the gravel road we run into a small group of through hikers, all of which we had already met. One of them was John, who I had weathered the hailstorm near a few days prior, then officially meeting on top of Blood Mountain.
The condition of the gravel road down the mountain has us concerned about Mosey’s attempt to drive the van up there to get us…..if that was still the plan. There were many three and four feet deep washed-out ruts that were at least ten feet across on the road. We wondered if she had even gotten to the van yet. Was she still on the trail somewhere? And where is JS?
After walking on the old gravel road for a while we come upon a sharp bend. Just as we approach the bend we hear a vehicle. Mosey’s van appears and JS is with her. She was in town at a stop light and happened to look over and saw him standing on the corner. It was a chance encounter. It was perfect timing.
Perfect timing was in play for us as well. Mosey could not have climbed up that gravel road another twenty feet due to the massive washed-out areas. They both jump out of the van and JS yells, “You people are hiking fools!” We are all excited to be together again.
Trail Magic abounds on and around the trail.
On our way down the gravel road and into a small town we trade stories. Mosey had gotten off the trail the day before due to blisters on her feet. JS tells us that he was off and on the whole-time, making friends and experiencing his own adventures.
We stop at a restaurant for some well-earned hamburgers. We find a white-water rafting outfitter that has showers. No one is there. The doors are unlocked. Smelly hikers interpret an unattended, unlocked shower door to mean, “Welcome friends, come on in!”
This was a great backpacking experience. No timelines and no solid plans. Hike each day as far as you please. Stop where and when you want. Relax when and where you want. Hitch-hike to town, or not. Linger at a vista. Make new friends. Enjoy old friends. The four of us went to the trail together but had four unique experiences.
My friends have gathered their own stories and memories from that week. This was mine.
