Journal Entries

Day 31 - Spring Mountain Shelter to Jerry Cabin Shelter

15 miles

Today was hard. Terrain was not very inspiring and we were feeling the pressure to make 15 miles to this shelter.

The Ridge trail was as strenuous as described and we went hard to get over the ridge before it started to rain, which it did. I strained my feet on the rocks, pushed harder than what felt comfortable in my soft soled boots.

We came into Jerry Cabin Shelter shortly after 6 pm in the rain and fog, tired out from our long day.

I managed to give myself a nice sponge bath while @toesalad was cooking supper.

We ate an apple cobbler for dessert tonight, something we picked up on our last trail stop. We went straight to bed after doing up dishes in the foggy dark.

The shelter is full of people we've never met.

Crossing NC 208, TN 70. A temporary hiker convenience store, Mom's, set up in an old rundown building.

Leaving camp

Making my morning coffee.

Day 30 - Hot Springs, NC to Spring Mountain Shelter

11 miles

We left the hostel at 8:30 this morning. It was hard to feel motivated after last night's thunderstorms and the forecasted rain for today.

I enjoyed my morning coffee with Lumberjack and Flipper.

On our way out of town we stopped for breakfast at the Take Out Grill, by the French Broad River. We ate a huge hiker breakfast. I thoroughly enjoyed my kale and 4 pieces of french toast. Left the dinner to start our hike in earnest around 9:30.

It was a boring, uneventful day and an unremarkable camp. Bloodroot & Red Hawk and Seven are here tonight. I'm considering stopping blogging while we're on the trail. This is a hard thing to consider.

Tenacious Bling had sore legs today and was kind of mopey. (She didn't complain once when hiking with the families last week.)

Padawan has an irritated eye.

@toesalad made a great veggie red curry supper with rice.

@toesalad 's amazing trail cooking

Looking back at French Broad River, Hot Springs and Bluff Mountain.

Walking the AT right through Hot Springs, NC.

Leaving Laughing Heart.