(3/12) Town and Trail
Leaving the comfort of town has always been difficult for us to do. It’s almost like getting out of bed for work on a cold morning. We want to be hiking but the initial discomfort of beginning the hike slows us down a little. After waking up around 7 am, we went to breakfast at the same diner where we ate dinner last night. I got so much food that I could barely finish it, and I almost didn’t need to eat the rest of the day.
While at breakfast, a man who had through hiked in the past came over to talk to us. He shared his love of the south and asked us about trail magic then paid for our breakfast. It’s surprising and encouraging when a total stranger is that generous with us. The only way that I can think to react is with gratitude and a growing desire to give the same generosity to others in the future.
After breakfast we went to the grocery store to buy our resupply. We got about 4 days of food, enough to take us to Erwin TN. Then we went back to the room, packed our stuff, and got out on the trail. Hot Springs is a cool hiker town. The Appalachian trail literally runs right through it so we followed the AT makers on the sidewalk and headed north.
Before too long we were back in the woods, regaining elevation and very aware of the 4 days of food in our packs. We climbed back up to nearly 4000 feet and had a cool view of the valley between us and the next ridge, with the French Broad River running through it.
We took our time today, only hiking around 13 miles given our later start. We got to a campsite at 4:30 pm and set up for the night. Before too long Bear Paw rolled through and asked if he could stay at the campsite as well. We all ate dinner and he shared some of his past and his reason for hiking.
Tomorrow we will wake up earlier and hike a bigger day. The plan is to go around 21 miles and take a decent chunk out of our hike towards our next zero in Banner Elk NC. It will probably rain for the next several days, but we couldn’t expect the good weather to hold out forever.
Goodnight.
Walker
While at breakfast, a man who had through hiked in the past came over to talk to us. He shared his love of the south and asked us about trail magic then paid for our breakfast. It’s surprising and encouraging when a total stranger is that generous with us. The only way that I can think to react is with gratitude and a growing desire to give the same generosity to others in the future.
After breakfast we went to the grocery store to buy our resupply. We got about 4 days of food, enough to take us to Erwin TN. Then we went back to the room, packed our stuff, and got out on the trail. Hot Springs is a cool hiker town. The Appalachian trail literally runs right through it so we followed the AT makers on the sidewalk and headed north.
Before too long we were back in the woods, regaining elevation and very aware of the 4 days of food in our packs. We climbed back up to nearly 4000 feet and had a cool view of the valley between us and the next ridge, with the French Broad River running through it.
We took our time today, only hiking around 13 miles given our later start. We got to a campsite at 4:30 pm and set up for the night. Before too long Bear Paw rolled through and asked if he could stay at the campsite as well. We all ate dinner and he shared some of his past and his reason for hiking.
Tomorrow we will wake up earlier and hike a bigger day. The plan is to go around 21 miles and take a decent chunk out of our hike towards our next zero in Banner Elk NC. It will probably rain for the next several days, but we couldn’t expect the good weather to hold out forever.
Goodnight.
Walker
Check out Tyler’s blog too- https://tylerat2020.blogspot.com/?m=1
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