Fri. 4/13 – The last two mornings were very cold. Yesterday, it was 25 on my little thermometer, cold enough that it froze water that I left out, and this morning perhaps not quite as nippy. It’s hard getting out of the tent on chilly mornings but I managed to get early starts both days. All the young guys sleep in till ten and still manage to catch me later in the day, kind of like the tortoise and the hare.
Today I did 16 miles – a record distance for me – which included a climb over Albert Mountain, the hardest work to reach a s/ummit yet. It was like climbing a cliff-face straight up for a half mile. I had to put my poles in my pack and use my hands to get up. Once on top, though, the view was spectacular.
I’ve been averaging about 12 miles the last few days. I pounded out more distance today because it will put me in close to the road to Franklin, NC. I will get up early tomorrow and hike four miles to US 64, where I’m hoping to catch the shuttle van into town. Along with a soft bed, shower, and greasy food, there is an outfitter in town. I’m thinking of getting a new sleeping bag; mine doesn’t seem to keep me warm anymore.
I’m still feeling pretty good. The mornings are when it takes a while to get the soreness worked out, but then I warm up and move okay. I hit another milestone today – 100 miles. I think I’ll keep going. I’m having too much fun to stop now.
