Day 48 last day in TN

5 May, Day 48, 15.9 miles, Abingdon Gap Shelter at AT mm 456.7. It's nice having phone service two days in a row but it has just occurred to me that I now have to make way day of walking in the woods sound exciting. :) here I go.  Today our alarm clock was a very cool thunderstorm that passed by at 6 am. My tent is working great so the boys and I were snug as could be during the hour storm...lots of cool thunder and lighting. Some folks are getting new tents and bags when we get to damascus so they didn't enjoy the storm as much as I did. It cleared up enough for us to pack up without too much wet gear and hit the trail by 845ish. This section is not that difficult so it was a fairly easy day. That was alright as the rain and clouds stuck around for the first few hours. We were high enough that we were walking in the clouds and as such, walked more "through" the rain then "under it". I'm not sure if that is possible but the folks who left before us and were lower said they walked through a big storm where we were just walking through a wet cloud. We came across a very nice couple who had some trail magic for us so we enjoyed the cakes and sodas and chatted with them for a bit. We then walked a few hinder yards an there was another guy with trail magic so we had more soda and cakes. :) the best diet in the world is the AT Thru Hiker Diet...you can eat what ever and as much as you want of anything...the downside is you just have to walk 2200 miles. But we are all taking advantage of it while it lasts. :) so thank you Bob and Betty Davis and Patriot for the trail magic. Patriot retired from the USAF and was stationed at Offutt in Omaha the same time I was so it was nice talking with him...no I did not know him then. So jacked up on sugar we headed out again. We got to the shelter around 5pm and have set ourselves up for a relatively easy 10 miler tomorrow into Damascus. The standard town plan is in effect...try to get in by 1pm to get lunch, then resupply, laundry, shower, and have a few dinners and ice creams...I told you it was a great :)