[at-l] OrangeBug Section Journal Day 5

["W F Thorneloe, MD" <thornel@ibm.net>]

4 3

Down the mountain or sailor's night in port.

The sun also rises at Standing Indian. I missed first light, but awoke for 
about 14th light. My companions began to stir and we watched the light and 
shadows fall on points South & West. I was amazed to watch the shadow of 
the mountain stretch out past Murphy, NC.

We teased a shadow puppet show of the bird v. rabbit battle, but it didn't 
quite work out. Breakfast was done and pack loaded one last time as we 
watched a rain cloud float to  us. It's rain never hit ground until the 
gentle shower reached our peak.

I started down Lower Ridge Trail. This was again far easier and more 
beautiful than my ill fated first trip up it 2 years ago. At the bottom was 
Prehistoric Tony also trying to figure out where we were and how to get 
near civilization. Children on bikes would wheel past and look at the 
strange humanoids belched out by the mountain.

P T watched my pack as I hitched a ride to Wallace Gap and walked down to 
Rainbow Springs Campground. I stopped at the little outdoor chapel and 
cemetery of the Church of the Ascension. The altar was simple and touching 
with at least 1 hiker taking money and leaving an IOU, and 1 hiker 
replenishing the jar. The cemetery was the usual tragedy of infant deaths 
and loss.

RSC greeted me and let me scarf some ice cream while Jasnine colored Easter 
Eggs. I payed my very reasonable bill and left. I still have not met the 
source of their bad reputation.

My orange bug started up. I collected PT and crammed ourselves and our 
packs into the bug for a jaunt into Franklin, NC.  PT treated me to lunch 
at B&D Rcetaurant.

We quickly noticed a pattern. People downwind of us had a few reactions. 
Men would retch and run. Virgins swooned or fainted. Children screamed in 
fear and ran to their mothers. Mothers simply turned up their noses and 
sneered at us like a particularly bad diaper.

Waitresses simply drew straws to see who had to take us - the loser getting 
to go home early. The food was great, and we didn't lick our plates. This 
is one of the best restaurants I've visited in many months, including some 
of the best of Buckhead and Atlanta.

I took PT across the street to the Franklin Motel, $30 a night, for him to 
check in. He got settled, and I prepared to leave and re-enter the real 
world. "Yo! OrangeBug!" yelled Big Daddyt, peircings sparkling in the sun 
and the bumper stickers of the soul emblazoned o his arms. It seems he has 
staying the night in Franklin with Good Samaritan, Tuckerizing and 
re-setting their heads. Most everyone I had seen seemed to be there, 
including Hooter, Maverick, Vice, and others. It felt like the conclusion 
scene of the" Wizard of Oz."

I ferried BD and GS to an outfitter, ABC store, grocery store, and got more 
lunch at B&D with BD. The flounder was every bit as good as the Philly 
steak sandwich 2 hours earlier. I snuck into their room, took a warm and 
hard hot shower, and learned the cure for chafing.

Even if you must hike barefooted and without food, buy at least one pair of 
Coolmax/Spandex shorts. Consider a size too small. Instantly, my pains were 
soothed with the soft fabric and the lack of movement against tender 
wounds. I was proud to have stayed and learned this important pearl, and to 
have the ladies at the outfitters help me select just the pair that fit, 
and model for the AT thru-hiker photo spread.

So with great pride and satisfaction in my brief section hike, I bid 
Franklin and the thru-hikers adieu, and headed down the mountain to Easter 
and family. I will be back for more!

OrangeBug
GA->NC 99

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