109 miles in.

Hey everybody, as the title suggests I'm into 3 figures mileage wise and also into state number 2. Georgia has gone and I'm into North Carolina, it felt quite exciting to cross the border, don't get me wrong there was no great fanfare just a sign on a tree but for all hikers, crossing a state border gives you a great sense of satisfaction and pride. Every step is a step closer to Maine but those solitary border steps seem so much bigger. 

I had some nice feedback from the last blog thanks including a note from the mother of one of the guys I've met along the way. South wind is with his good friend Owl and we seem to cross paths every few days travelling at a similar pace and those pair are going about it the right way, not going too fast and enjoying the experience. Nice guys who it's been a pleasure to chat with, Char O im sure you're very proud of your son and you should be, he's a great bloke, and thank you for the kind words.

Okay last time I wrote we were in Hiawassee for the bash which was good fun but weirdly on Saturday lunchtime I started to feel restless and couldn't work out why and then it dawned on me that it was because I was stationary! I wanted to get walking again! It's strange how the trail can get hold of you. Sunday morning I got up early so I could call home, I timed it for lunchtime as I knew the family would be together and it was nice to talk to them from thousands of miles away but I was slightly jealous, I miss my mums Sunday roasts! And all the family of course! At 9am five of us were in the van and on the way back to where we got picked up at Unicoi Gap...

That days hiking started with 2 massive climbs and it wasn't long before I was sweating buckets and blowing hard but got to Tray Mountain in the end and had a little lunch at the top with my companions Cheddar, Wild Horse, Scout and Maniac. Maniac later forged ahead but the rest of us along with Sunshine all camped at Addis Gap; a lovely little secluded campsite next to a stream. We'd done 11.3 miles first day back and it felt good. The next day we did a steady 9.9 miles to Plumorchard Gap shelter but lost Wild Horse and Sunshine along the way as WH wasn't feeling well which was a shame. The last 4 miles were tough and I fell behind myself but I met Brother Blood and between us we encouraged each other up the long incline, eventually beating the bloody thing! I feel a good friendship was formed that afternoon, it's what the trail does, brings people together. After a literally freezing night the night before in my Hammock I stayed in the shelter which was only slightly warmer but it did save me time in not setting up or taking down in the morning.

Tuesday was the day we crossed the border, as I said earlier it felt good, it was a nice warm sunny day and although it ended with a steep climb followed by a tricky descent which had me cursing as it was particularly rocky we still managed 12.2 miles. Just before the shelter we met some section hikers who had just finished and had excess water and food which they dished out to us. More Trail Magic. We stopped at Standing Indian Shelter which was a bit cramped but once again better than being completely frozen!

The next morning I shot up Standing Indian Mountain, inspired to get warm as the morning had been bitterly cold again. Once I'd reached the top the next few miles were a lovely slow descent down a ridge path and the morning flew by, today was going to be a personal best, I could feel it. The miles flew by and we all caught up with each other just as  we got to Albert Mountain where there's an old disused fire tower. That was the hardest climb yet, short but steep and literally clambering up boulders but getting to the top was worth it, the views were amazing, it was like being on top of the world, however when the wind blew I hung on to the stairs for dear life and raced down to terra firma!! After that it was all downhill to Long Branch shelter where 14 of us crammed in and although it was another cold night I was the warmest I'd been for 3 nights. That day we'd hiked 16.2 miles. That personal best had been smashed and although my feet were screaming at me the rest of me felt good!

Cheddar and Scout were up and gone at 5.30am but I waited for daylight, the plan was to get to Franklin for a night or two at the Budget Inn. I set off on my own and in 3 hours under murky skies I cleared 7.8 miles by 11.30am and arrived at Winding Stair Gap just as the free shuttle pulled in, brilliant timing! The bus took me to the Budget Inn and when I arrived Scout and Cheddar had booked the room and paid for my share which was very kind and much appreciated. Then to great delight Wild Horse and Sunshine appeared and the gang were back together. I then had my first taste of Bojangles which was a chicken style fast food place, I was ravenous after 4 nights of trail food and gorged myself. The rest of the day was spent resupplying and chatting and the day ended with a quick drink in the Hiker Bar which disappointingly closed at 9pm but still managed to catch up with Brother Blood before closing.

And so here we are in Franklin, a bigger town than I imagined and lots of hikers, I've ordered an under quilt for my Hammock from the outfitters so that I'm not going to be cold anymore, $175 but I'm sure it'll be a good investment as the Smokies are going to be very cold. Talking of the weather it's getting very cold and last night there was apparently a foot of snow in the mountains so we are all staying here tonight and maybe even tomorrow until it starts to warm up. The helicopter has constantly been flying overhead and the word is that at least 3 people have been rescued and flown out in the last 24 hours so no point in rushing back into it. The only problem being that staying in town costs money, it's a dilemma but with such a long way to go it's best to be safe than sorry so hunkering down looks to be the best option.

So 109 miles in and apart from the people already mentioned I've met other great people aswell; George and John (whose birthday it is today so probably have a beer with him tonight!) Slowpoke and Hot Rod, Jason, Puck, Pumba and Timon, Bonnie and Clyde, Shepherd, Rainer and her mum, Pebbles, Ismail and Purple Bear. 

I'm growing a nice bit of facial hair and I've decided I'm not going to shave until I get back! And I've lost a few pounds which I'll probably put back on whilst in town but that will soon go again! Talking of which it's time for pizza so I'm going to sign off and bid you farewell for now. It's 100 miles to the next proper town visit and it's all through the Smokies so probably won't post again until then. If I've got decent signal I'll still be on the other Social Networks so follow me there! Once again thanks for reading, hope you're enjoying the trail as much as I am!

007!