4/26 Wednesday: Hogback Ridge shelter to Spivey Gap campsite (15.6 mi)

Im on the trail by 0800 today...I wait for the T-storm to pass but another is on the way...So I put my raingear on and resolve to walk in the rain...:( I stopped in for a hot lunch at the Bald Mtn shelter shivering from the dampness, alone at first but joined within 30min by a couple of new hiking partners, Steve (Michigan) and RoJa (Maine)...I took off my boots to wring out my socks...GORETEX DOES NOT MEAN WATERPROOF... After a 90min stay I put my cold wet socks back on and head out with Steve and RoJa for the campsite about 6 miles away praying for the rain to stay away... Well the Lord smiled on us that afternoon and though we saw precious little sun, no more rain fell until after we pitched our tents and had supper...great timing on our parts... We experienced torrential downpours this night with severe T storms...We all stayed quite comfortable in our sleeping bags and tents.
PICTURES:
1. A lull in the rain allows me to take a pic of a Tennessee welcome sign at Sams Gap I-26.
2. A pic of lunchtime at the shelter... This young lady and these two gentlemen joined us late and decided to spend the night there thinking it was gonna continue to rain...Was a renovated shelter sleeping 10, 5 up and 5 down...Nice job AT volunteers...
3. Thats from L to R, Steve, me, and RoJa at the Spivey Gap campsite just before the rain chased us into our tents...LOL