April
28, 2013
Day
13 – Long Branch Shelter to Winding Stair Gap, Franklin7.3 miles, 109.8 total
This morning was miserable. It
was cold and raining and we had over seven miles to get to Chris’s car. So... we just did it. Wet and cold, and once we got there, we drove
into town and got a room at the Budget Inn – yes, there is one in Franklin,
too.
And boy am I glad we did. It
continued to rain the entire day, all the way through to 10 p.m. Literally all day. For lunch, I had a nice 16 ounce NY Strip
Steak, medium-rare, courtesy of Chris Rasmussen, and a 32 oz Highland Gaelic
Ale. Delicious.
Oh, and speaking of special treats, at the Blue Ridge Roadhouse , there
was more trail magic. In a box, donated
by a “Trail Angel” was more food free for AT hikers. I got three fantastic Mountain House meals
for future dinners.
After lunch, we caught the daily shuttle to the local outfitter, Three
Eagles, and to Walmart. Excellent place
to resupply, especially on CLIF bars (98 cents at Walmart, everywhere else
$1.98 – ridiculous.)
Anyway, it was a nice day drying out clothes, tents bags, and shoes in
our room. Alana, Rider and I split a
room so that it was a little cheaper. We
also cranked up the heat all day. That
was lovely.
At only 8 miles this was another short hike but might be the most challenging yet. Steady rain despite the rain gear my I get wet... especially my feet. Plodding one... count to one hundred, listen to the ear worm running through my brain, more counting, one foot, two foot, 99, 100 for the umpteenth time. Winding Stair Gap where are you.
ReplyDeleteI've never been so happy to see my truck as I am this day. Wet, tired and hungry. Looking forward to getting into town, a shower, a hot meal with REAL BEEF!.. and the mandatory mug (or was it two) of beer.
I leave Adam, Alana and Rider and head toward Spruce Pine where I'll participate in a Kairos Reunion before heading for home... my wife, my kids, and my dog are all happy to have me home... and while I'm glad to be home I really wish I was heading further North tomorrow...
I'm hoping to Join Adam later this year, probably in the 100 mile wilderness and then up to Katadin. We'll see...