Today we ascended Blood Mountain, the highest peak in Georgia on the trail. I was a little nervous, I knew the trail was getting tougher. This climb is a milestone on the trail. We headed for the top.

The trail was steep and rocky, but Wes,, Adam and I hiked carefully to the top. There were no views that day, the mountain socked in with clouds. We stopped for a moment to take a picture of the Blood Mountain rock shelter, then started down the descent to Neel Gap.

Neel Gap is famous on the trail, about 25% of thru hikers leave the trail at Neel Gap, deciding the trail was not what they imagined. I have no inclination to even consider stopping.

I bought a new sleeping pad at Mountain Crossings, then Adam and I hitched a ride to Blairsville Georgia. Two older gentlemen gave us a ride in the back of a Toyota pickup. We were squeezed between some bales of pine straw. I preferred to ride in the back, ashamed of how dirty and smelly we were. We got a motel,bathed, and washed our clothes. We walked half a mile to a grocery store and resupplied our food. We ate Mexican food for dinner, it was awesome to eat real food. I learned that going into town was a busy time rather than a restful one. I was struck by the kindness and acceptance the locals gave us. Everyone seemed eager to help us in any way. It was refreshing.

Sleep came quickly in a real bed. I savored the controlled environment of the room after sleeping in a tent the past few days. I was eager to get back on trail.