Day 18: That’s why they call it Smoky’s

Yesterday all the terrain and views looked the same as before. But today we saw for the first time why they call it Smoky’s.

That’s not the only contrast with yesterday. Because yesterday the terrain was flat and easy, today it was rocky and hard. Today we walk a little slower.

The rhythm between us also separated further than normal. I often walk a little further ahead, because my pace is a little faster and my dad likes to stop a little longer to take pictures of butterflies and stuff, but he usually catches up to me in a mile or two. However, today you can really feel the difference.

I wanted to go a few miles, but my dad wasn’t feeling it today. I got the impression that he missed his home and his wife very much. So he wanted to stop a little longer than usual to have some reception. Which I understand. We’ve been here for a couple of weeks and I miss my girl all the time. We decided to choose a point along the way where we would meet again.

This worked very well. He had all the time he needed and I was able to take some longer breaks, which I don’t mind.

At the meeting point we ran into a group of hikers from the section. They were really interested in the hiking business we were doing. We talked for almost an hour and they still had all kinds of questions, but we really had to go. I’m sorry!

Normally the first kilometers are the easiest and the last ones the most difficult. But today it was the other way around. We walked to the camp quite relaxed. There aren’t many people today, it’s just that Taylor is here too. We met him at the Grove Lodge in Franklin for the first time and have been walking with him from time to time. A quiet afternoon. That’s pretty good for a change!

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