Day 6 : Feb 27

Today felt like home. 

I woke up a few times last night. We got an inch of snow and the winds were close to 40 mph. Definetly a chilly night. 

We woke around 630 or at least I did. I woke up to walker telling me to look at the sunrise. The sun was coming over the distant mountains of North Carolina and it was blood red. Camping near the top of a 4500 foot mountain in a wind a snow storm all of a sudden became very worth it. We were warm throughout the night and saw a gorgeous sunrise. Walker said it might have been the most beautiful one he has ever seen. 

We started walking around 8. The temp could not have been much warmer than mid 20's but the windchill was high teens at best. We were the first ones on the trail as there were no footprints in front of us. 

Not much happened in the early morning to be honest. There were plenty of views but for the most part we hiked in 3 or 4 layers, with hat a gloves on, and just kept moving forward. We stopped around 10 to get breakfast and to fill up water at a nearby source. As walker cooked, I went to get water. On my map, the water source was labeled .2 miles from the trail. Although this may have been the case, I really wish they would have told me it was a 400 foot change in elevation. I actually went into a gorge and then climbed back out. 30 minutes later, after filtering 4 liters of water for the both of us, I climbed up the hill and met walker. He said he was ready to search for me since I had been gone so long. I then angrily recalled my story to him and we had a few really good laughs. I also proceeded to spill some of my oatmeal all over my pants...  the rest of the morning basically went like this. We joked with each other and had a really good laugh, enjoying our easiest day on the trail so far. 

Around 12 we met up with Vermont. We hadn't seen him for 2 or 3 days, not since woods hold shelter before blood mountain on day 3. 

After talking to him and hiking with him for a little bit, he decided to come into the town of hiawassee with us. Together, we climbed the last 4000 foot mountain of georgia, and gazed at the upcoming mountains of North Carolina. 

We then got to dicks creep gap, which is where US route 76 goes into hiawassee. After failing miserably for 45 minutes, we got a 10 mile hitch into town from a guy who was actually from maine but doing business down south. 

Once in hiawassee, we ate so much mexican food, went to the post office, ingles, and are now back in our room. Waiting for laundry to be done. Soon we will shower, order pizza and go to bed. 

It was nice hanging out with Vermont tonight. We are all sharing a room at the budget inn in town. 

Looking forward to the days to come. We most likely will finish our first state tomorrow. We are currently at mile marker 69.2. By 78.1 we will cross into North Carolina. Soon we will have 100 miles behind us. 

Hoping to rest up tonight and relax all around. Just another note for the day, walker and I are not sure why, maybe it was just a contrast of colors, but walker and I have never seen a sky so blue as the one we did today for 30 minutes or so. I'm not sure how to describe it other than extremely blue. Very cool to see. We might be going crazy. Who knows. 

Today did feel like home though. Plenty of cold weather, enjoyed the company of friends, and got to sleep in a bed. 

Goodnight, 

Tyler M.