Day 4: March 4, 2009

This morning we woke up early and got out of camp quickly. We hiked up Blood Mountain and a total of 3.2 miles before we stopped in the Neel's Creek. When we got there, a group of students on spring break from Georgia State were providing "Trail Magic" in the form of hot, juicy hamburgers, free to all hikers! It was awesome. We gorged ourselves on free burgers and drank a cold soda. After we ate, we went into the gear shop and the employees helped us do a "shake down" in which we took everything out of our packs. Then they told us what we could afford to get rid of. I lost about 5 pounds off my pack. Prior to leaving Neel's Creek, I spoke to a dad who was out on the trail with his two children. He and his son were enjoying the day, but his daughter was in the car complaining of the cold weather. The father asked if I would meet his daughter to show her that this was not a "guy" thing and that girls did hike the AT. I hope my presence that day impacted his daughter in a positive way. After our 3 hour break at Neel's Gap, we hiked another 4.2 miles. We are camping at Baggs Creek campsite. We saw a spectacular sunset and built a roaring fire. A really nice guy from Ohio named "Left Toe" is camping with us tonight. Like Giggles and I, Left Toe also majored Recreation Management. He is going to be a summer camp director at Camp Otterbine when he completes his time on the Trail.