Government Shutdown Trip B - Day 3

Up at 0700 but I didn't hurry out of the room. A front came through overnight and drenched everything within about 100 miles. Colder temps also followed so I wasn't sure what direction to drive to get the most out of the rain-shortened day. Renewed my hotel for a few more days (had to help the mother of the manager with the credit card machine). Ate leftovers for breakfast. Waited in town much longer than I'd wanted to while the clouds raced overhead... Eventually (0930) decided on a Georgia hike and made an effort to get as close to Springer Mountain as I could to fill in some gaps I still have near the Southern Terminus. Used US-64, GA-68, US-76 and US-19 to reach GA-60. This was the long way around but I wanted to have a chance to choose the section, based on the conditions. And, boy, was there weather - between Franklin and the AT Trailhead, I passed through rain, thick fog, snow flurries, heavy winds and warm sunshine! Stopped to check out the section that started at Woody Gap but decided it was too windy. Drove a short distance to Cooper Gap Road (AKA USFS-42) and found the AT crossing at Gooch Gap by 1130. Headed SOBO with clear skies and cool temperatures (three layers and gloves). Just as I started, I encountered another hiker (Tom, from Gainesville, FL) who was just crossing the road. He was doing a loop hike with only a few miles on the AT and I was only able to stay with him for a short time. Passed five other section hikers that were all going in the other direction - almost none of them talked to me. Near Cooper Gap, however, I met one who was taking his time and was chatty - he told me he had three months to kill and was going to see how far he could get on the AT (NOBO) before he had to go back to work. His daily mileage was pretty short (8-10 miles) and he was worried about the incoming snow storm (expected on Tuesday). I gave him the advice that I could and wished him well. After that, I didn't see anyone else. There was some climbing today but it wasn't too difficult - the trail was nice and smooth with barely any mud or ice. I got great views of Springer to the west (through the trees, so didn't take pictures) and made great time - probably almost three miles an hour all day. As the sun started to set, the temps dropped a lot. The icy winds were pretty strong every time I came through a gap or on the ridgeline of the mountains (Justus and Sassafras) and had cooled me down a good bit. But it got real when I started to see the water in puddles starting to freeze before my eyes. Fortunately, the sun still kept some areas warmer - it was only in the hollows where I truly felt cold. Earlier in the day, I'd decided to push as far as I could on distance, hoping to take advantage of the fact that the road paralleled the AT for almost the entire hike. In the back of my mind, I also hoped a Trail Angel would be willing to give me a ride back to my car - I'd seen three cars on the way and thought I would find another one when I finished my outbound leg. With the worsening cold as a motivator, I turned around at Hightower Gap and hiked back on the gravel road (USFS-42) back to my car. I think the road route was a little shorter but it was hard to be sure because my pedometer quit a few times (and my phone shut off because it was so cold). This also meant that I didn't have any guarantee that the road I'd picked was actually the right one - I walked about three miles before I saw the AT blazes in the woods (and breathed a sigh of relief). Unfortunately, no cars came along so I had to walk all the way back. Finished at my car again by 1745 after close to 17 miles - and finishing the last 8 miles in less than three hours! I was SO COLD when I got in the car that it took 30 minutes to get warm. When I got done with my hike, I found I had received a huge number of emails and some texts - it was strange being "in demand" after having so much solitude recently... Used GA-180 to cut off some of the distance during my backtrack to the hotel. It was light enough for me to get out of the mountains and back to the GA-NC border before it was full on dark. Stopped for gas in Young Harris (1855) and then used GA-69 and US-64 to reach Franklin. After I got to my hotel room, found out I had a HUGE blister - hoping it doesn't slow me down at all over the next few days... Ate leftovers for dinner and talked to Brenna on the phone for a long time. Watched some TV before bed (2300). Today I felt as strong, limber and full of endurance as I ever have - it was so great to be out on the trail with such extended daylight! AT Today = 8.60 miles / Grand Total AT = 1320.72 miles