Thu Apr 17, 2014 @ 18:00

Day 18 - Locust Cove Gap to Cody Gap

8.4 miles

Another beautiful day on the trail.

Today we resupplied at Robbinsville. Wendy Meyers (@hikingmama) picked us up at 10:30 am at Stecoah Gap and drove us into town. She hiked in to meet us on the trail, which was a pleasant surprise.

While in town, Damien shopped for the food we'll need for the first part of the Smokies, till we resupply again when we get off the trail at Clingman's Dome, approximately 48 miles away. I mailed Brienne's iPad to the Johnsons in Maine who are keeping all manner of stuff for us when we don't need it on the trail: clothes, gear and in this case, electronics.

While Damien finished shopping I took the kids for lunch to McDonald's. Eating at McDonald's is not a regular part of our at-home life but I think it might become more common during our hike.

I did internet work at McDonald's, taking advantage of the wifi. There is so much of that kind of work right now every time we're off the trail. We are establishing new norms and systems for managing bill payments etc. It's not exactly life in the woods.

Damien joined us at McDonald's with all the groceries and repacked all the food bags with Wendy and the kids on the outdoor patio. The Lost Boys showed up.

Left town at 3:15 and we were back on the trail by 3:30. Five hours off the trail for a resupply, not too bad. Wendy's help was fantastic and we couldn't have done it without her. After years of knowing Wendy online it was nice to finally meet her in person.

Out of Stecoah Gap we hiked Jacob's Ladder, a super steep calf killing section of trail, but we did well.

Took a break at Brown Fork Gap Shelter and arrived at Cody Gap, where we set up camp, at 6:40.

We did 4.9 miles out of Stecoah Gap, including the climb up Jacob's Ladder, plus .2 to the shelter and back to the trail, in 3 hours. I think it was our best ever mileage with that much food on our backs.

In bed by 8:30, sharing a tent with Damien tonight. It's cold tonight. I'm guessing it will drop below 0°C.