LAST TWO DAYS HIKE UPDATE

Thursdays Hike: 14 miles in less than 7 hours and that was just about right, not real tough as a lot of the miles were on ridges along the top of the mountains and not a lot of up and down hill. Saw a rattler sunning himself accross the trail. Stomped my feet and banged my trekking poles on the rocks and he slithered off....of course then I did the fastest 100 feet past where he was and saw a snake in even root, shadow and stick for the next two hours.

Bear Facts: When the weather gets warmer, the bugs come out and the snakes come out to sun themselves! Passed about 16 hikers today of all ages.

14 miles in 6 hours 20'

Fridays hike: Hike from hell !! 16.7 miles and it was straight up the first hour, so I was soaked and out of my jacket. My breakthable gortex got all choked up!! Saw two wild turkeys, big ones, looked like small ostrich's, on the trail. They just looked at me for about 10 seconds and took off, still not enough time to get my camera out and turned on. IF I HAD A GUN, we would have had enough turkey for two Thanksgivings........met two older gents from Germany, both with snowy white hair.....asked how old they were, one 74, one 76 and were both in great shape. They said they had also hiked in the Alps and were going all the way to Maine!! Hope for me yet!

Also met a 18 year old girl from Florida who was going all the way to Maine by herself. Her plan was to stay where there were others camped every night for safety , currently was hiking with another couple.

Bear Facts: Thought that hikers were some of the cleanest most nature respectful people ever.........as I have not see any litter or garbage along the trail. Well was talking to the ridge runner at Walasi Center Outfitters and he cares for about 20 miles of trail. That day he picked up about 5 pounds of garbage along about 10 miles, so the hikers are really messy, just have some dedicated caretakers picking up after. The trail so far has been very well maintained, much better than the Florida trail. No deadfall of any kind that had not been cleaned up and the trail has been repaired for water damage when necessary. Signs about every 5-10 miles or so, some new, some old, but all in good repair.

Animals : Turkeys, hawks, various birds, bees , flutterbys, heard lots of rustling in the woods, either bear or dear.

Monday will be a 13.6 miler along the Nantahala river and mountains.