It is clear and dry and we have a long day ahead. We set off about 9am and feel great, before noon we are in Dicks Creek Gap where a few people are heading into Hiawassee to dry out and resupply. It is amazing that within a couple of hours it is hard to tell that it has rained at all. Blue skies light breeze. We are on top of the world.

How quickly emotions change it is only a couple of hours from being on top of the world. The map is entirely misleading! What looks like gentle ups and downs nothing exceeding 500ft is turning into a grueling uphill marathon that does not quit!!!. I know in my mind that it can't just be up all the time but it certainly feels that way. The trail again skirts along the contour of the mountain with the valley falling away hundreds of feet below. The tree are majestic and huge. There is very little undergrowth so the canopy in the summer must be quite dense. Now, however, we can see through the forest to the mountains beyond. It is beautiful as we summit one mountain and head into the next gap and then up the next mountain, it is exhausting and it is wearing us down, our feet really hurt. Don't forget our packs are still heavy with wet stuff.

Strange things that flip into your mind as you walk. As I struggle up and down the hills for hours I am thinking of people over the ages who have been forced to walk unbelievable distances in terrible conditions with little or no footwear or provisions.  Due to their own choice in fleeing conflict or forced marches under the unrelenting and merciless tyranny of conquering peoples their sense of fear, pain and suffering must always be monumental. I have the latest of high tech lightweight gear, am well fed and have nothing to fear and...I am doing this of my own free will. I am saying to myself, suck it up...and then, the Georgia -- North Carolina State line, we have made it out of our first state. One down 13 to go. The sign is truly understated. But we feel like we champs.

The campsite at Bly Gap is within view of the state line sign. There are a few people already set up. Quickly everything is out of the packs and draped over trees and shrubs to dry. It feels amazing that the sky is blue and while it is cooling off quickly as the sun drops on the horizon. We are feeling pretty great with our accomplishment.