Well, it's been three days now and we're still here!  I heard somewhere that 30% of people drop out in the first 4 days.  That figure is probably not exact, but you get the point.  It has been a tough but rewarding few days.  Got a couple small blisters and Stew's knee was bad today, but that seems to be the norm around the hiking crowd here.  I'm loving my boots, which have saved me from rolling my ankle a couple of times.  Our tent seems to have been worth every penny too, as we were the only people I've found who stayed dry that first night on Springer when it rained for hours and the wind sped like a freight train over us and down the mountainside.  We're camped half- way up Blood Mountain tonight at Slaughter Creek and just watched a red sunset. Tomorrow we head for Neels Gap where there are showers and food!  :). Life is good!