Is it lunch time yet?

Today was day 2 on the trail.  I'm sure everyone is shocked, but we slept in... till 8.  By the time we woke up, most of the people at camp were gone.  The wind picked up a bit last night, but mostly the excitement of fresh air and zero cell reception kept me up.  The drive to the trail access was treacherous.   We did not hike the approach trail, but hiked a mile back to Springer Mountain,  mile marker 0.  As a Florida girl, in the backseat, with agreement from the driver, the road leading to this parking lot, is nerve wracking.   We made it to the Stover Creek Shelter and set up camp around 17:00 hours.  The only disaster of the day was when Iris's leg hair caught fire from a camp stove mishap.  Now, before any body freaks out, it was just some leg hair, all skin is right-as-rain, all camping equipment is fine, and Kris is just a little more aerodynamic; your welcome. 

Iris cooked breakfast and brewed coffee while I broke up the tent. We hit the trail at approximately 11:00.  The weather forecast said rain but it was a beautiful day, if you dont count the kitchen sink on your back or the bones that it is digging into.  Despite the almost soul crushing heavy pack, lunch was fantastic!  Peanut butter,  jelly,  honey, flour tortillas, and Long Creek Falls.

With our late start and threatening weather, we only made it to mile marker 8.1 tonight (which was the plan anyhow).  Tent camping at the Hawk Mountain Shelter, it is lightening and pouring rain but as long as I am dry, I am a very happy and still excited camper... although, the rain is pretty heavy. 

I can't wait for breakfast.   Tomorrow is going to be a tough day that, from the guide books doesn't seem like it will be very exciting in the way of views, but that will make camp that much more glorious. 

Good night. 

As a day three addendum,  the rain last night was brutal but the tent held up beautiully.  Sleep wasn't so pretty for me though.   We are gonna try out some hashbrowns for breakfast. 
The goal today is 7.7 miles.  Easier said than done with that blasted heavy pack.  Take care!