From this point on, I leave home behind me.

So, I’m back in Franklin as I’ve hiked my way back in from Hiawassee, via Dicks Creek Gap trail head.  I was dropped back off there on Monday around noon.  I only planned to do 5 miles into the first shelter.  It was a solid 5 miler with enough elevation change to get my heart pumping and see how the knee has come along.  All went well, pain free and I enjoyed the walk through fog and a light drizzle.

Met some new people and ran into a guy I met at the hostel the tornado night.  He was just getting started then……I’ve apparently forgotten his name (*note to self* maybe you should start writing names down since you are bad with them?).  Also met the boys from Jersey, Chester chip??, critter and Guac.  Cool guys and they set the pace for the rest of my walk.

Venturing out on a foggy morning with the promise of clear skies later on that afternoon, I anticipated crossing the GA-NC border within the first part of the morning.  It would be the first milestone of achievement to pass on this venture.  Finishing the first of 14 states and starting the second.

I must say, this “achievement” was met with a bitter-sweet feeling.  You ask why bitter??  Well, let me tell you.  NC welcomes you with a serious climb.  It’s not the longest, but it’s got some steepness to it, enough to put your pounding heart in the back of your throat.  The fact that the top was masked in fog made it feel never ending…..a grueling climb into the nothing.  This climb and one that comes right after it left me a bit drained for some time afterwards.

I eventually came upon Muskrat Creek shelter and popped in for lunch.  I had the pleasure of seeing Sipsey and Animal again as well as meeting “Tom for now”.  It was really cool to see Sipsey still on the trail and getting to talk to him again.  Animal was panning for gem stones, something I’ve always wanted to do!  I watched and got a brief tutorial on how it’s done.  Very interesting to watch, and even more interesting to see how many little rubies and amethysts he was plucking out.  I ended up spending about 2 hours chatting with Sipsey and Tom.  In truth, I needed the rest.  Tom, like me, was a talker and kept the conversation flowing.  He’s a very interesting guy from Massachusetts.

I moved on to Standing Indian shelter where I met back up with the Jersey boys and others.  The weather had cleared to sunshine during my lunch break and made for a beautiful 5miles to Standing Indian.  Ended up with 12.2 miles this day and fell asleep to the sound of coyotes and occasional owls hooting.

The next morning I felt a twinge in my knee while breaking down my tent.  I got a bit worried, and set off at an easy clip.  I was planning on 14.4 miles with the possibility of doing 16.2, all depending on how the knee faired.  I got to the next shelter (Carter) at 7.6 miles and realized one of my new teva sandals had fallen off where it was attached on the outside of my bag.  I was very displeased to say the least, but shit happens.  I was not about to go backwards to look for it, it could have fallen off anywhere along there. 

I moved on to the next destination and WOW what a day!  Some amazing views, a rock scramble to the top of Albert Mountain and a fire tower atop of it.  Such fantastic rewards for my longest day yet.

I popped into Big Spring shelter and saw Jay and his wife again.  It was early enough and the next shelter was only 2 miles downhill.  Why not, let’s make it 16.2.  WELL……apparently that shelter isn’t built yet and I ended up pushing on to Rock Gap shelter for a 20 mile day.  I was BEAT!  Also, during that stretch I neglected a hot spot on my foot and developed a nasty, large blister on the bottom of my left foot.  I’ve never had a blister on the bottom of my foot before.  The new shoes have done their damage, now time to heal.  I also reached another accomplishment during this day as I have now hiked over 100 miles. WOOHOO!

I ran into everyone else again at this shelter, all bitching about the non-existent one.  Also, we had a trail angel show up with freshly baked chocolate and Angel food cake.  So Delicious!   This push left us with only a 3 mile walk to the trail head of Winding Star Gap at US64.  It also, put me a day ahead of schedule.  My dad picked me up at the gap yesterday and we squeezed everyone in for a ride into town.

I’m taking a zero today to get new camp shoes to replace the tevas (probably getting some crocs) and nurse this gnarly blister on my foot.  I’ll be back on the trail tomorrow.