Lance Creek to Neels Gap

woke up at crack of dawn, and busted out a half day hike to Neels Gap. super easy day, hiking over Blood Mountain was nice and not as hard as feared. Hung out with Ryan, Kelly, Matt, Baltimore Jack, hunter, Ethan, sheepdog, Butterfly, green Giant, Cape, Jesse James, Poppa, Turbo, and Poho, and others I can't remember all the names. We sat around the outfitter at Nells Gap, called Mountain Crossings, all day and joked and ate. the sun was warm, and the rest was therapeutic for our suddenly overworked bodies. my appetite was strong, I think I ate 3 lunches. At night, all the hikers gathered around "Baltimore Jack" Tarlin, as he told many stories from his time on the trail and doled out advice for eager beginners. Baltimore Jack hiked the AT 9 times from 1995-2003, and along with a hiker named Wingfoot, is the alltime Leader in total hikes on the the trail carrying their backpack. he is a very smart, opinionated man, with lots of colorful stories filled with comic flair, like the time he got a room at a Hostel in Duncannon PA called the Doyle Hotel, and opened the door to find a dead man in the bed. Although he doesn't hike as much anymore, he clearly loves the trail, and if he feels in someway the hike or the footpath is being compromised , he is quick to add his opinion. Sleeping at the hostel was a problem as the bunk room accommodates 20 hikers and some are simply not fit enough for the trail. One in particular is FedEx, who weighs 275 lbs, is older, and carries a 75lb pack. he snored and farted all night. nobody else slept.