Hi all,
I will be close to Hot Springs, NC tomorrow, from my vantage point on Max Patch Mtn
I think I can see the outline of it. I have made it through the Great Smokey Mountain park and have just begin to hike the outer edges and am just west of Asheville NC. There were many mornings I saw why they call it the Smokeys. Everywhere else clear sky, but clouds that look like smoke rings around the mountains, and when you reach their summits the cloud is surrounding you as well. The weather has been beautiful and warm. Some cold nites up on the mountain tops but warm in the valleys. Clingmans dome still had some snow and ice, around the summit, We hitched a ride with a thru hikers husband, he is following her along in their pick-up, so at the Newfound Gap he offered to take us into Gatlinburg. There is an outfitters post there and he offers free showers. Had time to look around, have a diet coke with LOTS of ice, a good shower and rest my feet out of my boots. Picked up my food supply from the post office and then just rested and waited on the shuttle. Phone service was good, so I got to talk to home. That I think is the hardest part, not talking to home as much as i want. The shelters have been pretty full about, 10-11 of us each night. It' s good to spend time with people after hiking mostly in solitude all day. I have not seen any people for two days, Kim wants to know if I took a wrong turn, funny. I passed up the shelter I planned to stay at today and am hiking to the other, from the way it looks all the others have done the same, so I anticipate fellow hikers at the next one. This one is not very clean, and I dont want a bear to come visiting. SO, I press on its another 5-6 miles before I make it and it is 5:00 pm so hiking will be fast and forward. It is very cool all of the scenery, I just came through an area where you hiked the rim of the mountain so you could see for miles, lots of moutains and valleys, all showing the signs of spring color. Had service so I got to talk to Kim for a few minutes. I am getting all of the texts even if my phone is off, so you can send me a message, I like to read them when I turn on the phone. I am going into Hot springs for my food pickup, and I plan to have a good fast food meal and another diet coke. Too bad that doesn't come in freeze dried. Sleeping has been ok, I stay in my tent around the shelter, but havent had to spend the amount of time inside of it like before, been nice enough to sit out until sleep time. Usually really tired, so sleep comes fast. Starting to hear the night noises of the woods.
Nice lullaby.