RV Microwave range light to LED!

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Forever I have wanted a different light over the stove in the RV. We dry camp, or "Boondock" most of the time in the RV and the original Microwave light required the inverter to be on in order to have a cooking light and that meant 40 watts (3+ amps for the inverter) just to be able to turn on the light, then there was the fact that the light was actually 80 watts (two 40 watt, E17 incandescents), for a total of 120 watts, or 10 Amps! Very battery draining for boondocking!

Enter LEDs, China, and Ebay! I had ordered and installed LEDs for some of my fluorescent ceiling light fixtures earlier  and so I decided to manufacture my own 12 VDC range light fixture and change out the one inside the microwave. 

 I used some 1-1/2" aluminum angle to serve as the fixture for both support and heat dissipation. I used clear RTV Silicone adhesive (I cleaned off the sticky tape from the LED strip) to mount four strips of nine 5630 LEDs (~21 LM per LED, ~4500K temp) for a total of 756 LM. 

 Got them all stuck on to the aluminum.

Testing!  That should be bright enough!

I ran the wires from the light fixtures next to the microwave that I had upgraded earlier with LEDs with added night light feature (actually it will be used as a morning coffee light). I installed a DC to DC regulator, mounted with 3M double sided mounting tape, to control the voltage for both fixtures, including the "morning" light. 

DC to DC voltage controller.

Double sided mounting tape.

 There is a cover I put over this jumble of wires!

 Installed, ready to close up!

Well, it was way too much light so I disconnected one of the four strips leaving 27 LEDs and 567 LM. Plenty of light, and we like the color temperature much better also.  Went from 120 watts (10 amps) to 6.5 watts (1/2 amp).

Now to install the regulators in the other fixtures I have upgraded!  Then on to other things, including getting out and using the RV.  I have been lazy since returning form the Appalachian Trail!

H.

Next new challenge... TV repair! Crowed sourcing.

After completing three hundred miles of my Appalachian Trail hike I am on to new and exciting adventures, like fixing my TV.  To quote Red Green, if you can't be handsome, it helps to handy!

My two and a half year old Vizio 55" TV,  model E550VA,  has a malfunction I am trying to get my head around.    The symptom is a blinking or flashing screen, depending on your definition of the terms.  During the power up sequence the VIZIO  "screen saver" logo is moving around and the screen will black out for a time, one to three seconds, and come back for a second or two then black out again.  This sequence continues with the "no signal" screen saver and on to the actual programming.

After removing the back cover I can see no visible signs of defects or indications of a bad component,  i.e., no swollen capacitors, scorched spots, or holes burned in the solid state components.  I would "assume" that a visible defect would render a permanent black screen, but not real sure.

I am sure it will have to have a board replaced, most likely the main board but am not sure.  It could be the Power Supply board.  I do not  have the expertise to trouble shoot at the component level, but would have no trouble replacing components if I had an idea of the possible bad one.

In searching  for a replacement MB, 715G3715-M01-000-004K, I found the same board with different part numbers compatible with the E550VA.

CBPFTXACB5K01008,
CBPFTXACB5K01009,
CBPFTXACB5K01010.

My board is the one in bold print. I again "assume" the other two would be compatible but again am not sure.

Any help in this matter would be appreciated in the comment section.

Final Report

May 08,2013

I have 300 miles under my Pack, hiking through all kinds of weather.  I have met so many great and wonderful people.  It is amazing how giving the "People of the Trail" are, both past and present!

 I just hope that some of them feel the same when thinking of the time spent with me.  I tried to share what little knowledge I had along with a few of the things I was carrying on my back, from a good length of para cord to a extra blank journal,  a pocket knife I found on the trail, and even even the little wrist band I found and returned to Prayerwalker.   They were little thing, but I hope they made the day better for a few people!

I am home now and still have the congestion, but the cough has subsided some what. I feel fine, but I know for sure that I made the right decision to leave the trail.  The warm 'dry' heat of AZ will feel good for a while.



Thanks for tagging along, it has been fun!

Home at last, home at last!

The airport's entertainment for the night came around 0400 this morning when a few young ladies came in with suit cases about the size of a small refrigerator and started repacking them.  There is a fee for over weight luggage so they were weighing each piece on the ticket counter scales and moving articles of clothing between them to get each piece under the limit.  This would have been no big deal except that over time a gentleman with them was bringing in cart load after cart load of huge pieces of luggage.  I think they were returning home to Europe and had been here on a shopping spree.  There must have been enough luggage to fill a small delivery truck.   I did see more people join them a little later including a 'grandmother' type and a small child.

Around 0530 the airport began to stir a little and signs of life were starting to pop up.  I managed to get a breakfast sandwich and coffee and then started my check-in process.  I had to check my backpack and pay an extra $25 for the privilege.  The claim check and bag label printed out on behind the counter so I had to ask for assistance.  The lady looked at the print out and remarked "Phoenix, the hard way,  you know we have non-stop that leaves thirty minutes later!" Now she tells me!  Atlanta, to Charlotte, to Denver, to Phoenix is my plan!  Her 'Hard Way' comment made me think I should be flying through Las Vegas.  (The Denver to Phoenix  flight for the last leg of my trip actually continued on to Vegas!)

Very poor planing on my part.  I am beat and ready for Margaret to pick my up and get me home.

It is very disappointing to have to end my hike, but, I am glad to be home!

Thanks to everyone that has followed me through this adventure.

The Voyage Home

Up after a good nights rest.  Milled around for a while before going to the lobby for the free breakfast.  It was great and had lots of choices including, but not limited to biscuits, sausage, eggs, gravy.

Checkout at eleven so I hung around until then because of having my backpack to deal with.  My departure was at 14:45 so I had time on my hands with nothing to do but wait so I went on over to the bus station and rescheduled my ticket for today.  Bus stations are really boring places to kill time!

Finally depart on schedule heading for Knoxville where I change buses after about an hour layover!  Heading for Atlanta after dark and in the rain.  A new thing now is that commercial buses have to pull into the weigh stations along the interstates.  After doing so we also got a free safety inspection, courtesy of Tenn. Dept of Transportation and Highway Patrol.  Forty five minutes later we were again on our way to Atlanta and arrived at near midnight, in the rain.

After off loading and retrieving my backpack from under the bus, I inquired about MARTA's (Metro Area Rapid Transit Authority) location and fortunately it was in the same terminal, just around the corner.  No hiking in the rain at midnight!

I have to buy a Breeze Pass to board the train.  That in and of itself is an experience to endure.  When I arrived in Atlanta to start my hike, I found a window with a live person at the airport terminal and bought a single ride pass from the airport to North Springs, the northern most point on this same "red" line.  However, near midnight at a remote terminal, there are no live persons to be seen for assistance.  While trying to interpret the vending machine for the pass a young man showed up and offered assistance.  I thought he was just being kind and helping out a confused old man but then he asked for help as he did not have the where with all to add a ride to his empty breeze card and make his way home.  So, another $2.50 (from me) and we are we are both inside the terminal waiting for a south bound train!  I think he earned it, I could have been there a while trying to figure out that system!

Its too late to get a room, and midnight arrival at the airport meant that I still had seven hours to kill.  Nothing is more boring that a large airport at midnight!  Not even a Gray Hound bus station. At least there you can see some interesting people!  I know there is no way I'm going to sleep, so I just try to get a little rest.

Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Buses

Note:  The trip home was almost as adventurous as the hike!  I left the trail on Saturday, and Sunday morning I started making arrangement to get home.  As I mentioned, my Nexus was broken so I had to use the computer in the lobby and this was no conducive to doing a lot of research on the internet.  The final itinerary was not something I am proud of, but my brain was not functioning up to full specs that day.  The next few entries will be used to relate my homeward bound adventures.


Sunday, May 05, 2013

I called Miss Janet for a shuttle to Johnson City, TN, where I could get a bus to Atlanta.  Miss Janet is on the short list of Hikers Best Friends on the trail!  However, she operates in her own world, on her own schedule, and her own way.  After she picked me up, she had others to drop of at different places and then with the remaining hikers we went by her house.

I was ready to wait in her van until she was ready to go but nothing would do but for me to come in meet everyone and hang around for a while.  I went inside and was surprised at all the familiar faces I saw.  Globug was there, Tinman, and the Hart family.  I was glad to be able to say goodbye to them in person as we had spent a lot of nights together.  There were other as well but I did not know them as well.

Then, all of the sudden, Miss Janet takes off in her van with a large contingent of the hikers there.  I knew I would never make it to Johnson City, never mind being on time! And, my backpack was still in her van and the separation anxiety was starting to get to me.  I paced and watched the driveway. It's like now that my hike is over everything should revolve around me and my schedule and less of a laid back approach to getting there that is prevalent on the trail. After all, I now have a places to be and schedules to keep!  Someone ask when my bus departed and told me not to worry, there was plenty of time.  Easy for them to say!  It is amazing how my world prospective has changed in less that twenty four hours!

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Miss Janet returned and two other hikers and  I jumped into the van and were heading out of town.  But were going the wrong way.  She is taking the two hikers to the trail head in the mountains.  Shouldn't we be going to Johnson City, after all I do have a schedule!  Eventually, we are coming back down the mountain and soon on our way to Johnson City.  We arrive with time to spare.   I have to go to the bus station and change my ticket for the following day because I don't want to have to get a room in Atlanta at midnight tonight.  Well, Miss Janet waits for me and then takes me to a Comfort Suites about a mile from the bus station.  All is well and Miss Janet has done a wonderful deed in getting me here, and on time.  Thank you, Miss Janet, you are truly a Trail Angel, and a hikers best friend!

The rest of the day is uneventful and filled with boring motel living.  I do manage to get my shirt, socks, and underwear washed in the sink, using bar soap,  and dried over the heater.    I'm not on the trail now and have to be considerate of other!

Decisions, Decisions!

Saturday, May 04, 2013
Destination: Ewrin Super 8
Starting Location: Indian Grave Gap
 Today's Miles: 3.60 Trip Miles: 293.52

 
Up around seven after a windy-windy night. My tent was still intact, but sleeping not very good. Ate a cold breakfast and broke camp in the still high winds.  Breaking camp in high winds is almost as much fun and setting up camp in high winds. Two of the three ladies I met yesterday walked by as I was breaking camp.  The winds were bad where they camped, but, they said it was pretty much above them so not as bad as where I was.

 I managed to get away by 0745 and finished the one thousand foot climb that I started last night! As I climbed the fog started coming in with the cold wind, so that was fun. As I passed Beauty Spot, a clearing along the ridge, I saw a pickup parked over by the forest service road and I almost walked over to see about getting a ride back into town because the weather was getting worse and rain was expected tomorrow,  but I continued on as I still had another 1,000 foot climb ahead of me later today and wanted to get over that next mountain.

I made it to Deep Gap and was starting to feel bad again and the congestion and coughing was also acting up again.  I waited around Deep Gap for a while, sent a text to my son to explain my post on Facebook, which he translated for others. The responce this time was "They both speak trail talk"!  It reminded me of the scene in the Airplane movie about Jive Talk,

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0j2dVuhr6s

Talked to thru hiker camped there and a couple of other hikers passing by, heading up the mountain. Now the dilemma, could I continue on with the cold, congestion, and cough? I paced back and forth on the trail for at least an hour trying to decide what to do. Was this how my hike was going to end? I decided it was. When I sent the text to Aaron  earlier, I told him how good things were going and an hour later I am walking toward home.  I cannot deal with the recurring cold, cough, and congestion as it was slowing my already slow pace and I could not see how I was going to finish another 1,900 miles. I sent a text to Margaret to let her know I was coming home. Cell signal was iffy and text is the best way sometimes.  It was a very hard decision to make but my health is more important that the hike.




I started hiking on the F. S. road and about mile later two gentlemen came by but said they were only going a little further and I told them if they were going to the top of the hill, I would take it and jumped into the back of the Pickup. When they stopped they told me they would not be here long and if I waited, they could take me into town. I waited while they were hunting Ramps, a member of the lily and  onion family.  It was their family tradition to come up here in the spring for the Ramp hunt.






 Back to the Super 8 and start making plans to get home. I met Lumber Jack (for his chain saw snoring, I guess) in the lobby as he was signing up  for the night. I had met him just before Fontana Dam. I told him to come to my room and I would give him some of my food and other supplies that I no longer needed.  He was grateful and that he no longer needed to go to the grocery store for supplies. Glad I could do a little trail magic before leaving town. I would have left most of it in the hiker box, but this was much better.

For those who have followed my adventures, thank you and I hoped you enjoyed them as much as I did.  I am disappointed that I had to end my hike, but I am not disappointed in my accomplishment.  I am 66 years old, on my first backing adventure ever, and hiked over 300 miles in the woods, through the rain, freezing rains, snow, sleet, high winds and freezing temperatures and love it (well, most of anyway). I met a lot of great people along the way. Will I attempt this again?  Probably not.  This was a test of, by, and for me, and I passed!



 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Too windy to cook?

Friday, May 03, 2013
Destination: Indian Grave Gap
Starting Location: Uncle Johnny's
Today's Miles: 8.50 Trip Miles: 289.92

Eight and a half miles to a stealth tent site just past TN395/NC197. The trail has followed and crossed the TN/NC border for ever. This is not a good tent site an add to that the wind @20-25 MPH and higher gust made for an iffy night, but I was hiking up hill and carrying four liters of water, about eight pounds, while looking for a place to camp. I passed up a lot of good sites but did not have enough water for setting up camp for dinner, breakfast, and starting off in the morning. Setting up the tent I saw the rain fly was still wet for a few days ago and I had forgotten to get it out and let it dry. The wind soon solved that problem. I met Stretch, Pantry, and Slow 'n Steady during the day. They were hiking together and they found found the good water source at the highway, but they back tracked to find a campsite and  I walked north and found this one. I had to walk back down the trail 75 yards or so to find a place out of the wind just to cook dinner.

 After settling into my tent I discovered that I had not packed my Nexus 7 tablet very well in my pack and had cracked the glass screen. About 20% of the screen was working and responding to the touch. Everything was viewable, just could not use the touch keyboard for text entry. Tried short hand code to update my Facebook followers and the response I was "you talk funny". So much for that! The wind is howling and gusting. Reminds me of the three little pigs and the wolf huffing and puffing to blow their house down. But my Big Agnes tent is holding up very well. It will make for a bad night for sleeping though! Getting dark, so I will settle down for some rest, if not sleep!



 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

More Recovery

Thursday, May 02, 2013
Destination: Uncle Johnny's
Starting Location: Uncle Johnny's
Today's Miles: 0.00 Trip Miles: 281.42

Decided to recover another day.  I left Hot Springs too early and that cost me in time, miles, and a doctor visit.  Took the breakfast shuttle for some biscuits and gravy and just hung around until the dinner shuttle and went for the KFC AYCE buffet. It is not very exciting to hang around a hostile for very long so I am ready to leave as soon as I feel like it.


"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Four miles adds Zero to total?

Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Destination: Uncle Johnny's
Starting Location: Erwin TN Super 8
Today's Miles: 0.00 Trip Miles: 281.42

Zero miles even though I walked four miles with an overloaded pack to get to Uncle Johnny's. This was a test to see how I was really feeling.  If it had gone well I would have started up the mountain, but it wore me down so I got a private cabin an settled in for the night. Will have to wait until I am feeling much better before heading out. Busy place and I see a lot of familiar faces.  According to their pack scales, my pack weighs in at forty one pounds and a little!  Weigh too much!


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Drugged up in Erwin

Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Destination: Erwin TN Super 8
Starting Location: Erwin TN Super 8
Today's Miles: 0.00 Trip Miles: 281.42

Another zero while I'm taking all the drugs and waiting to get better. Still coughing a lot and a lot of stuff is coming up so I guess I need that extra day after all.

As I was walking a mile up the street to the China Kitchen for lunch, I ran into Nema  again from way back. She highly recommended the CK and it was good.

Took the time to sort through my stuff and have some to send home. I have got to get my pack weight down!  I have too much food now but not enough for a bounce box*.  At least it will go down as I travel. 125 miles to Damascus, VA.  Trail days there in a couple of weeks.  Looking forward to that, just hope I don't catch something there. If that happens, I might have to give up this living in the woods thing!

 Here's to feeling better!
 
*Bounce Box - Sending or mailing things up the trail ahead of yourself so you don't have to carry them!

"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

More drugs.

Monday, April 29, 2013
Destination: Erwin TN Super 8
Starting Location: Erwin TN Super 8 
Today's Miles: 0.00 Trip Miles: 281.42

Another day, another zero! Feeling a little better but the cough is getting worse. I'm here for one more night regardless. By mid afternoon I decided to go to the Urgent Care center that I think is related to the hospital here. It was a good two mile walk one way, but, the weather was good and I did not carry my backpack!  Got in pretty quick and confirmed that I had a bad cough  and bronchial congestion resulting from the cold. Rx's include an inhaler, codeine based cough syrup, and a about the strongest antibiotic you can get to clear up my lungs. I ask how long to stay off the trail and he said at least 48 hours, so add another zero! Scales there say that so far I have lost 15 pounds on the trail, so on the way back I stopped at "Hawg 'n Dawg" for a pulled pork barbeque lunch.


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Medicinal purposes only!

Sunday, April 28, 2013
Destination: Erwin TN Super 8
Starting Location: Erwin TN Holiday Inn Express
Today's Miles: 0.00 Trip Miles: 281.42
 

 Another zero, I'll never get there this way. Called Miss Janet (a trail angel that helps hikers as much as she can) for a ride over to Super 8, about 4 four miles away in the rain! I got a room to myself to recover. AK and Ducky smoke, not much and it didn't bother me, but no smoke is better! 

  

Rain lasted all day as I walked down to Walgreen's for some OTC aids, and some ice cream.  I informed the clerk that it was for medicinal purposes, after all, I was buying it in a drug store!








Weather appears to be clearing up for the next few days and I would like to get back on the trail. Will decide tomorrow on medical attention.

 
 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Trail Math

Saturday, April 27, 2013
Destination: Erwin  TN, Holiday Inn Starting
Location: Stealth camp on Rich Mountain
Today's Miles: 2.00 Trip Miles: 281.42

When does "eight = two"?  When counting miles on the AT!  Woke up early after a rough night sleep. Had lite rain/sprinkles last night, off and on.  I was warm and dry but the weather and hiking has had an effect on my cold.  I discovered that I had lost my voice when I started talking to myself!

I had 50 miles to go to get to Erwin so I started.  Two mile on, I stopped, made a command decision, turned 180 degrees, and started hiking south back down the mountain.  There was no way I was going to make it fifty miles the way I was feeling.  Five miles  down the mountain that I had just climbed to the hostel that I had missed yesterday to get a shuttle to Erwin in case I need medical attention again.

I had to wait several hours for the shuttle driver to get back but that gave me time to get a sandwich for lunch and get some rest. I the mean time three other hikers arrived, two of them I knew, looking to shuttle to Erwin and now I only had to pay $22 instead of the full cost of $66 for the run.  Nema, who I have not seen since Neel Gap, came in a little later.  She had been delayed in Hiawassee with a cold that she most likely caught  from me.

We made it Uncle Johnny's Hostel but there was only tent space available and I was not interested in tenting in the rain with this reoccurring cold.  So Alaska, Ducky, and I walked a mile down the road to Holiday Inn Express and share a suite with one bed, a sofa sleeper, and a roll in. I got the roll in, sat on it and thought I was going to hit the floor, but, it was warm an dry.


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Guns alllow for man hunts only?

Friday, April 26, 2013
 Destination: Stealth camp
Starting Location: Stealth camp on Rich Mountain
Today's Miles: 11.20 Trip Miles: 279.42

Sign eating tree.  No guns except for man hunts?

Some times I think trees have a very mischievous mind of their own.  Before, one leans across the trail so I would run into it, and today I see this one eating a Posted sign.

Did 11.2 miles today. I was going to stop at the Hemlock Hostel but was not convinced that I was at the right place to turn so just continued on another mile or so. (it was the right road)!

My stealth skills need work. Last night there was a full moon and some hikers like to hike  by the light of the moon.  At true midnight some some of those night hikers walked by.  A light lighted up my tent for a second and I heard a voice saying, "There is someone camping over there." I was awake already because of a hiker w/dog that had passed just 10 minutes earlier. Meet the night hikers up the trail this morning.  They said they hiked without head lamps for most of the night.

I did not plan to hike as far as I  but was running low on water and the next source listed was at the next shelter.   I finally came across a little spring a few feet below the trail, on a very steep slope!  I collected and treated 2.5 liters and continued on up the mountain with five more pounds on my back!  Now to find another good tent site! Good tent sits are hard to find when you are climbing a mountain as there are not many level areas on mountain sides. As the terrain started to level of I found a site that would work that was about two miles shy of the shelter.  Set up, cooked and was in my tent by 1900!  Within five minutes it started to sprinkle a few rain drops, my timing was pretty good. Hope to get a good night sleep!


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Leaving Hot Springs

Thursday, April 25, 2013
Destination: Stealth camp on Rich Mountain
Starting Location: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs
Today's Miles: 6.00 Trip Miles: 268.22

Decided to leave today even though I am not fully recovered. Started with big breakfast at the diner and did six miles in six hours. It was a steep climb so I took it easy. Made 1,250 gain to 2,500 ft elevation and set up camp in a nice spot just off the trail. The weather has been great today and I had plenty of time to rest and set up. I will be using my tent a lot for the next week as there is a noro virus problem in the shelters in the 70 miles between Hot Springs and Erwin.  From reports, it's a twenty-four stomach virus.

Saw my first snakes today. Water moccasins in dammed pond where I got water! I stopped at 1530 so

1830 and time for me to get some sleep.

 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Happy Birthday to Me!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Destination: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs
Starting Location: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs
Today's Miles: 0.00 Trip Miles: 262.22


Happy birthday to me, number 66 and counting! And feeling every day of it today! Feeling bad all day and had a terrible night last night. Coughing and hacking and awake most of the night. Glad I have a private room! Started chilling mid afternoon and took a few vitamin I and felt lots better!



 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Zero in Hot Springs!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Destination: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs
Starting Location: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs
Today's Miles: 0.00 Trip Miles: 262.22


Zero in Hot Springs!  More regular town stuff.  Had a great breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Diner! Bought a bag pump for my sleeping pad after Yukon loaned his to me a few days ago at one of the shelters.  It works great and  will be much better for inflating the pad!  It will also help keep the moisture content lower and less chance for mildew.

Weighted myself on two different scales today an I have lost somewhere between 10 and 40 pounds! Both scale varied widely each time I stepped on it!


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

The Laughing Heart Hostel

Monday, April 22, 2013
Destination: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs
Starting Location: Bluff  Mountain tent site
Today's Miles: 10.90 Trip Miles: 262.22

Up and out by 0745 after a cold breakfast. No other tents were in site this morning and I think only one hiker past by after I set up last night.  I met Prayerwalker  less than a quarter mile up the trail as she had just broken camp and was coming onto the trail and we hiked together for a while but she soon got ahead of me. I caught up with her when she stopped for lunch.  I joined her and had my lunch as this was a great spot.

I showed her a US Army wrist band that I found on trail a day or so back. She said it was hers, that she had lost a couple of days ago. She said she used it to remember which way to turn when leaving a shelter, by putting it on her left or right wrist to indicate the direction after spending the night at a shelter.  She was glad to have it back! Maybe if I had such a system I would not have done Jacobs Ladder the second time!

I got to Laughing Heart Hostel, about one hundred feet from the trail and at the very edge of Hot Springs, but it was nearly full. I wanted a private room because of my cold. Prayerwalker  had just gotten the last single and they only had doubles left but 'Chuck Norris' gave me a deal for being alone and doing two nights.  When I arrived a hiker told me to see Chuck Norris, the operator of the hostel, and when I stepped inside I knew him as soon as I saw him.  He could have passed for the real Chuck Norris' brother! 

The rest of the consisted of town stuff and I picked up my food drop. I now have 17 pounds of food. Will have to bounce some of it to Erwin, the next trail trow. I met Glo Bug, Tin Man, and Yukon, the remains of the group I started with.  'Spider' was tire of going so slow and moved on and Gweejo had been picked up by his wife and and rested in Hot Springs for a while before skipping ahead to Erwin to avoid the noro virus that hikers were picking up at the shelters between the two towns.

Laughing Heart is the best hostel on the trail so far and Chuck is a great host!  Very informal and there is a full kitchen, dining area, and a TV room with lots of DVDs.


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Not another cold?

Sunday, April 21, 2013
Destination: Bluff Mountain tent site
Starting Location: Brown Gap
Today's Miles: 12.40 Trip Miles: 251.32

Had plans to meet up Prawerwalker at Kale Gap and saw in a the shelter log just before there that she was over an hour ahead of me.  I stopper for a rest and did a 0.2 mile side trail for water refill.  When  I got to Kale Gap and did not find her I knew she was having a good day and hiked on.

I hiked on myself and made it half way up Bluff Mountain before stopping to set up camp.  This would put me within eleven miles of Hot Springs, which should be an  easy hike since I have already done a lot of the elevation gain for Bluff Mountain and once I reach the summit it would be an easy down hill as that part would not be too steep.

At the base of the mountain, just after Lemon Gap, I spotted some wild onions and thought they would go good with my Red Beans and Rice for tonight's dinner so I started gathering a few.   As it turned out, I ate a no-cook dinner as I was too tired to cook.  Didn't think the onions would go well with peanut butter and Pop Tarts, so they ended up being tossed!

During the night last night I felt scratching in my throat and I knew that I had picked up another cold,  from Standing Bear Hostel this time, and it is slowly beginning to effect my speed a little as the day wears on.  I figure that I still have at least one more good day of hiking, before the cold has very much effect on my speed and stamina, and that will get me to Hot Springs..  I will have to zero there  to deal with the cold and hopefully get it under control early.



 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

No rain today!

Saturday, April 20, 2013
Destination: Brown Gap
Starting Location: Standing Bear Hostel
Today's Miles: 9.80 Trip Miles: 238.92

Up ant by nine and did 9.6 miles to Brown Gap after a Jinny Dean Sausage and coffee.  My resupply and bunk  total came to $42 and I'm not sure that was right.  Could have been off in either direction.  My hiking genes have been  dominate and my analytical genes have been edging toward recessive  since being on the trail and I wasn't thinking very well this morning.

I have seen these structures in the west before but did not know what they were.  As I approached I noticed a sign stating they belonged to the U.S.  Department of Transportation.  Later I heard some one mention the FAA, and then it was clear.  They are used to track aircraft via their transponder units.  (That's what I think, anyway.)

 


Praywalker left the hostel at least thirty minutes before  I did, but I caught up with her on top of Snow Bird Mountain just after passing the FAA unit. She had been there for while because she found a cell signal and was updating her journal and uploading photos and videos, otherwise I can't keep up with her.




We hike together for a while and later we camped together. After getting to Brown Gap and setting up camp then fixing and eating dinner I was getting chilly so climbed into my sleeping bag.  It wasn't dark yet, but, close enough.  A couple join us soon after and set up for camp.

 Note: Was awakened by a loud "ROLL OVER" from PrayerWalker's tent around midnight. The guy in the third tent must have been snoring very loud, she said it wasn't me, and I didn't hear it. PW had not gotten a good night sleep for the last two nights because of loud snoring and just couldn't take it any more.  I laughed about it the next morning!


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Leaving the Park!

Friday, April 19, 2013
Destination: Standing Bear Hostel
Starting Location: Davenport Gap Shelter
Today's Miles: 3.80 Trip Miles: 229.12

Short hiking day, in the rain.  Standing Bear Hostel is a "Rustic" old farm stead with the old buildings converted for hostel use.  The bunk house was tight, with every thing close together, and full.  The resupply room was on honer system.  Recorded things and prices as I picked up stuff and add
 in  the bunk then stuffed the envelope and dropped it off as when I leave.

   Lots of rain all day so hikers are huddled everywhere. PrayerWalker came in later having hiked all day in the rain,  wishing she had made the big miles yesterday.  We shared a Degorno pizza later for dinner and it was great.

"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Caged in!

Thursday, April 18, 2013
 Destination: Davenport Gap Shelter
Starting Location: Tri Corner Knob Shelter
Today's Miles: 14.80 Trip Miles: 225.32


"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."   - Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Down hill from here!

 Caged in! Wow, 14.8 miles in one day! Quite a record for me! And in only 9.5 hours! Good hiking day, great weather, feeling really good, and more down than up. Prayerwalker and I had been hiking together today and she stopped at the first shelter we came to, not wanting to push for a fifteen mile day.  The elevation peaked @ 5,000 ft and then down to 2,600 ft. Good thing my toe nails were trimmed very short!

As I was resting about three hundred feet form the summit a young lady came by and we talked for a short while.  She had to have her dog shuttled around the park (no dogs on the trail inside the park) and was in a hurry to get to Standing Bear Farm, a hostel just outside the park,  where it would be waiting for her.  Water was scarce on the trail, but I had treated a liter near the shelter I passed so I made it with out problem.

Today I lost the long sleeved pullover shirt I found in the hiker box back in Franklin.  I had taken it off and placed on my pack, under a strap, but it must have gotten pulled off by some mischievous tree.  Trees have been playing jokes on me for the entire hike.  Recall the one that I ran into because it moved into the my path when I wasn't looking!  Oh well, someone will find it and make good use of it.  Spring is on the way, or so I am being told, and long sleeves will not be needed much longer!

 The shelter for tonight is caged in to protect us against the bears! Until the last few years all park shelters were caged when park management  learned that people were feeding the bears through the chain link fence.  Stupidity still reigns supreme, even in the woods.  This eventually led to the removal of the cages, and this is the only one remaining.


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Waiting out the rain!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013
 Destination: Tri Corner Knob Shelter
Starting Location: Pecks Corner Shelter
 Today's Miles: 5.20 Trip Miles: 210.52

Started with the intention of doing 13+ miles but gave that up when I got here and it started to rain. Had a snack, settled in and waited til time to to cook dinner. Someone woke me up and asked if I could move over a one space so the three of them could be together. They apologized for waking me but I told I had to get up any way and fix dinner. Group of four a little after dark.

 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Tuesday, April 16, 2013
 Destination: Pecks Corner Shelter
Starting Location: Ice Water Springs shelter
Today's Miles: 7.40 Trip Miles: 205.32

Today's hike was tough, I guess because I went to bed without dinner last night. I took Charlies Bunion side trail for the view. A day hiker there offered me some summer sausage, cheese and a piece of great bread. Tasted good!

Met PrayerWalker there. I had read dome of  her journal online. We hiked together for a while. The gang showed up at the shelter and spent the night.


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Happy Tax Day!

Monday, April 15, 2013
Destination: Ice Water Springs shelter
Starting Location: Gatlinburg
Today's Miles: 10.60 Trip Miles: 197.92

Had breakfast Buffet @ Bennett's.  Good food. Back to the room and packed up everything and could not find my head lamp so I picked up one at the outfitters before getting on the shuttle.

Got to clingmans Dome and on the trail around 11:30 and was on my way.  Meet some hikers at Indian Gap and a little later at New Found Gap (NFG) where they were debating going into Gatlinburg.  When I mentioned that I had eaten at Texas Road House she said, "I'm going to Gatlinburg!"

 At NFG I saw the interp board or new versions of the ones I had seen way back in 1970. The ones that introduced me to the Appalachian Trail for the first time.

 With the late start and having to make a half mile hike/climb up to the trail (that did not count) 10.6 miles put me at the shelter just after dark so it was good that I bought the new head lamp. I used the lamp the last 200 yards, just for safety. Set up and go to bed without any supper.

Found my lost head lamp rolled up in the sleeping bag, will have to send it home. The new one has a red lamp feature which other hikers will appreciate.


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Yes, we have no wide shoes today!

Sunday, April 14, 2013
Destination: Gatlinburg
Starting Location: Gatlinburg
Today's Miles: 0.00 Trip Miles: 187.32

Decided I need another day to get all the rest I need and get chores done. Wanted to do a breakfast buffet that I had heard about but found out where it was too late so settled for KFC for lunch.

I went to NOC outfitter to look for shoes but found nothing that fit. Why is it that outfitters, and manufactures don't carry shoes and boots in wide widths? Don't they know that some hikers do have wide feet.  Did my grocery shopping and later back to NOC to find thinner socks in hopes that they would help with boot.. My right foot big toenail has been banging the toe box of my current boots. It has darkened, don't know if I will lose it or not. Trimmed it really short on the day I noticed it and that did help.

 Signed up form tomorrows free shuttle while I was there. Got the last slot. Went back to Texas Road House for dinner, got a big salad but could not eat all of it. Maybe it had something to do with that pint of ice cream am had eaten earlier! Planning for next few days looks like 10+ miles the first day out with a late start.

"All that is gold does not glitter,
 Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Can trees move?

Saturday, April 13, 2013
 Destination: Gatlinburg
Starting Location: Derrick Knob Shelter
 Today's Miles: 10.10 Trip Miles: 187.32

The highlight of the day was walking into a tree. So concentrating on the trail that I didn't see it leaning at a 45* angle across the trail. My hat's brim also blocked my view and BAM, top of my head right into the tree. Next thing I know, I'm sitting on my butt! I just sat there and laughed at myself for a minute or so. Now to get up with my pack on, not an easy task, nor is it a pretty site to watch! Fortunately, there were no spectators around! 

Something seemed crazy with the altimeter. I know I did the 500 foot climb, but the altimeter said I had not, so I readjusted the altimeter to my way of thinking and continued on... right up a 500 foot climb, so, I re-readjusted the altimeter again!

Made it to Clingmens Dome an caught a ride heading for Gatlinburg for the night, sharing a room with Laura and Charlie at the Grand Prix. Saved me having to my own room so I treated them to dinner at Texas Road House. I had the ribs and they were great. Charles bought the beer. May take another zero tomorrow depending on the rides back to the trail and need more rest.

"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Not the wrong way, again?

Friday, April 12, 2013
 Destination: Derrick Knob Shelter
Starting Location: Mollies Ridge Shelter
 Today's Miles: 11.70 Trip Miles: 177.22

 Record day today with 11.7 miles! Earlier, I hiked for quite a while without seeing a white blaze and was getting ready to make a major decent and I didn't want to go down an have to climb back up. I had turned a number of times to look for a south bound blaze without seeing any. So, I turned and started south, looking for a white blaze, and saw one in about 200 yards so I turned North again and  went down the mountain.  It was a steep drop and required slow going.

 I stopped and made dinner on the trail because I was running late and didn't want a lot to do when I get to the shelter. Got to the shelter just before dark an just had time to set my pad and sleeping bag. Good night, I'm tired!



 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Batten down the hatches!

Thursday, April 11, 2013
 Destination: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Starting Location: Birch Spring Gap camping area
Today's Miles: 6.10 Trip Miles: 165.52

Up and out early enough, but miles are hard to make. I wanted to make it to Russell Field Shelter, but a storm with high wind is coming in so I stayed at Mollies. Full house to over flowing. Rain started just after dark with winds and lightning. Lots of familiar faces here tonight.



"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

The Smoky Mountains National Park

Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Destination: Birch Spring Gap camping area
Starting Location: Fontana Hilton
Today's Miles: 6.00 Trip Miles: 159.42

Up at sunrise and out by nine to do six miles into the GSMNP. Lots of rules to go by in the park and I knew I couldn't do 12 miles today so I settled in early. Upper 70s and 10 lbs extra food made for tough hiking so I just took my time and rested a lot.

Running low on water, I spotted a little puddle spring so I stopped an topped off. Half mile later a good stream was running across the trail. Oh, well, I didn't know! At one point I just dropped my pack, laid down on a big rock, and rested for 30 minutes. I was dead tired by the time to to start setting up the tent. This is only the second time for the tent. I did get a good night sleep and much needed rest. Note to self, "Trail food is getting really, really bad. Must do something about that!"



 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hilton

Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Destination: Fontana Hilton
Starting Location: Cable Gap Shelter
 Today's Miles: 6.00 Trip Miles: 153.42

Can you find the hidden lake?

Fontana Lake

 Up and out by 9:45. Arrived at the marina, a mile shy of the Hilton, and called the resort shuttle for a lift to P.O. and the General store for mail drop, a little resupply (mostly day snacks) and do laundry.  There was a $3.00 charge per head, but it was worth it.

When I stepped on the porch, people started talking about my Jacobs Ladder episode and trying to give me a new name but I would have none of it. I just called them wimps for only doing it once! Damn, I was going the wrong way!

Messed around a little more talking with the others, breaking down my food drop, eating snacks, and then caught the shuttle back to the trail and had one more mile to do before the Hilton. A 10lb food drop can add about 20 lbs to your pack weight, or so it seems.

There was a crowd at the shelter but most tented so the shelter was nearly empty. A few hikers were heading out around 10 pm to start a night hike into Smoky Mountain National Park.  Tomorrow I enter the Smokies.

 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Jacobs Ladder, Part Deux

Monday, April 08, 2013
Destination: Cable Gap Shelter
Starting Location: Brown Fork Shelter
Today's Miles: 6.10 Trip Miles: 147.42

Looking for the trail!

Is easy here...

But,can you find it here?
 Hint, look for the hiking pole scratch marks on the rocks.

 The day started out great! Up at seven, out by eight! The hiking was great!  There seemed to be a lot of South Bound hikers this morning for some reason.  When Jacobs Ladder was mentioned, I told them that they were not there yet and warned them of the steep climb.  I continue hiking for an hour or so and then I saw some power lines that I recognized!!! Damn! Was I  going the wrong way? Waited for a hiker to come by and confirm my suspicions, and damn, I was going the wrong way!  I got turned around and headed north again with Jacobs Ladder ahead.

I stopped for a break and to text try to contact Tore, with whom I was to share a room tonight, left voice mail and sent a text. Up and on my way again and doubt suddenly set in... "Was I going the wrong way again?"  So I stopped and waited for another to confirm or relieve my fears and before long a familiar face, Whirled Peas, came along and convinced me that I was going north.  What a relief! I had planned to make it to Fontana Dam tonight, but damn, I was going the wrong way.

So,it was back up Jacobs Ladder again. But I have to say that it was much easier earlier in the day! I ended up back at Brown Fork Shelter around noon and stopped there again to have lunch and resupply my water and change my plans for making it to Fontana Dam tonight.  I made it to Cable Gap Shelter, which was familiar.  This is where I hiked to last year on one of my training hikes when I came east to visit family.  Later, the Hart family arrived, and there were a number of new faces.  Taylor had acquired a trail name, Pink Panther, for her love of  pink!

So, 11.1 mile only count for 6.1 official miles but I will add five miles to my hiking credit... Damn, I was going the wrong way. But, I refuse to change my trail name!

 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien