March 16, 2000

Hiawassee, ga · 14 Miles Hiked Today · 67 of 2167 Miles Hiked Total

Woke up in the rain, hiked in the rain, suffered in the rain. My knees hurt bad today. So much so that my left knee gave out on me and I fell on my butt going downhill. I'm kind of worried about it. I'll play it safe and week by week.

Hiked down to Dick's Gap, having met "Goof" at a shelter where I stopped to have lunch. Saw Todd again today -- he's as slow as I am going downhill.

At Dick's Gap I hitched a ride with Matt Gorman, the third person to pass me. I only had my thumb out for 5 minutes! Got into town, got dropped at the Hiawassee Inn and got stamps and envelopes from Sharon Dills. Cleaned clothes, took the wet clothes to the laundromat (.5 miles away) and resupplied at the grocery. I also ate some snacks, Subway, and more snacks. Now to clean, dry and pack for tomorrow.