First 21 Mile Day

Stats: Friday night 4/15, MM 342.1

(88.9 new miles, 350.9 total miles)

 

On Max Patch bald, "we could see for miles and miles
and miles and miles and miles"

I made it just short of 90 miles this week in 5-1/2 days, quite an accomplishment. Included was a 21-mile day that felt really good. I hope I can keep this up, or close to it, so I can finish in September. Yes, I definitely plan to finish!

After my zero day Saturday, Mary started out with me again on Sunday morning. We hiked up to the bald at Max Patch, about a mile hike, uphill but not too steep. The views from the top were amazing! We had a 360 degree view of the Smokies and Tennessee, mountains in every direction. The pictures don’t quite capture it. It was a clear day, hardly a breeze, very quiet.

 

 

We enjoyed God’s creation for a few minutes and took some pictures, then Mary headed back to her car for the drive to Virginia and I continued on the trail. Made it 17 miles that day to Deer Park Mountain Shelter. Had a few climbs but overall not as difficult as the Smokies.

I hadn’t fallen yet, but Sunday I fell twice. Right after I left Mary I slipped and fell on the muddy trail, fell on my side. Later in the day I was walking along, watching where I was going, but missed something sticking up on the trail. Tripped on it and fell face down, luckily it was my hard head that hit the ground so I was OK.

On Monday made it 14 miles through Hot Springs to Spring Mountain Shelter. Had a difficult climb out of Hot Springs. Rained Monday night, so I decided to stay inside the shelter to get out of the rain. Small shelter, only held 5 people so I was glad to get there early and get a spot. Heard the mice running during the night, off and on, along with the rain.

Tuesday it rained most of the day. Tough hike, a little over 15 miles to Jerry Cabin Shelter. Stopped raining so I camped out. Met about 25 or 30 people there, and had a chance to dry out my stuff. Hiked with High Life much of the day.

Wednesday was my 21-mile day, very nice day for hiking. Didn’t plan to go 21 miles but felt good all day so I kept going. Someone had set up a van and was handing out Trail Magic: beer. Had a beer because I only had 3 miles to go at that point.

Made it to a camping area at Low Gap. Settled in a little later than usual, very tired. Ran into Caboose and her father, Sweeper, who I’d talk to earlier in the hike. Also met two brothers, Fro and Curly. Hard to find a level spot, many of the camp sites are angled. Set up so my feet were downhill, not too bad but I kept having to scoot up in my sleeping bag.

With only 20 miles to go until Erwin, my next zero-day stopping point, I decided to see how far I could get. I was hiking with Amber, a Marine, and her dog Theodore, a really nice dog, small and well behaved. We had a lot of good conversations as we hiked. She glided up hills with no problem, while I was huffing and puffing. I had to stop after 14 miles because I was tired from my big day on Wednesday, and she kept going. 

Thursday night stayed at No Business Knob Shelter. Hardly anyone there when I got to the shelter and set up my tent, then about 15 people showed up.  I figured I’d have a shorter day to get to Erwin on Friday and I looked forward to that. Only 6 miles to hike on Friday.

Arrived in Erwin around lunch time, and Moondog and Billy (Moondog’s brother-in-law) picked me up. His mom and sister both live in the Erwin area. His sister had a feast of a lunch for us...after I took a shower, of course. Enjoyed meeting and spending time with them.


Then stayed with his mom Friday night and she took us out for a nice dinner. His mom is 93 and in good health, really enjoyed meeting her too. Then Saturday went back to his sister’s to hang out and have a day of rest.
 
Moondog was sick all day Saturday, praying for him to get better quickly. We planned to leave Sunday but I may be leaving without him so he can have an extra day to get well. I will hopefully meet up with him on my next zero day, when Mary comes to visit me next week.

I’ve lost weight now; my pants are loose, and so is my pack around the waist. It’s nice to need a smaller size, Mary will bring them to me next week. I'm glad I’ll get to see her again.

The knee is doing better, day by day it’s different. I know the prayers are working because I’m able to keep going. Please keep praying. I’m still enjoying the challenge and seeing the miles count down, and having fun. I am blessed for sure!

I texted a few more pictures to Mary but they didn't go through. Until next week, here are a few pictures of the different hiking terrain.