Day 51: Multiple magic

• Wilson Creek shelter (741.8) to Mills Gap Overlook (750.5) Lodge Otter Picos
• 2243 feet rise, 1704 feet decrease

Today it may have been the strangest day of backpackers we have experienced. We are learning that on the path of the Apalaches, the experience is both people and the forest.

While we walked, we marvel at how well preserved the corridor and the surrounding areas are. We also marvel at the amount of goods, services and supports surround the way.

Why is the Apalaches region much more developed than in 1975?

In 1975, the trail of the Apalaches was quite remote. Much of the built environment has expanded as a result of urban people looking for a close, but rural or wooded atmosphere.

The people of the city have always appreciated their rural retreats from the heat and formality of the city. For example, 1800, the Supreme North Carolina Court He celebrated his summer sessions in the Morganton mountains, NC.

Population increase, available income and telecommunications

As we are frequently asked how things are different now compared to 1975, we have thought about it a lot. Our response is undoubtedly the human environment in relation to the path. Although we have no answers, we have three assumptions of why this is so changed.

First, the US population has increased from 216 million people to 338 million people. Of course, not all the 122 million people are grouped near the path, but some of the AT states have grown dramatically. For example, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New Jersey experienced annual growth larger than average Since 1970.

A second reason why there is a greater environment built near the path can be related to the distribution of wealth. As the population has grown, so has the number of individual network individuals. Among those individuals, 2 of 3 has a second house For vacation use.

A third reason is related to technology that allows people to work remotely. This is called those called the Pandemic effectBut it is prior to pandemia. Those of us who fight to obtain any connectivity while the walk can laugh, but in reality, communications are well above what it was.

Get going

We were taking slugs this morning. It was cold, in the 30 years. At 8:20 am, we challenge our wet hiking clothes, we consume our chia and protein breakfast, and we packed ready to get water, which was half a mile of the path.

When we have to break the hiking to obtain water, the historian filters the water I already often write. Today, we assume our usual roles and, once watered, we undertook some serious boots in the ground schedule.

Arriving at Blue Ridge Parkway

We expected to march at a rhythm of Sprightly without playing today. Today we arrive at the first intersection of Blue Ridge Parkway. I expected to be able to eat on the Picos de Otter Lodge. That would require approach to obtain the right time.

When we arrive at the park road, we observe parked trucks in the middle of the road without humans. It was a bit creepy. I commented that we had no way of knowing if the zombie apocalypse had happened. We allowed the truck’s doors if it had happened.

Actually, it was Sunday and this Parkway section was closed. The trucks would resume work tomorrow.

The first magic of the day without exception of the day

In the next crossing of Blue Ridge Parkway, there were people. People with food. Food for us. Magic of the path! Johnny Shofar had pancakes full of fruits to the size of a cafe pan and mountain dew had fresh fruit, donuts and wooden crosses. I don’t think any other apple has tried so well.

Mountain Dew shared with us, spent his summers with a friend who lived not far from us in the rocky mountains. The world is really small.

When we left, Johnny blew his horn and Shofar mountain dew provided good prayer for our trip.

Some dissipated news

We have our hiker Hager Hunger Bellies with the next food opportunity, Otter Lodge peaks. The map was a bit incomplete in details, but I remembered having passionately been there when I was a child. I wanted to share a good memory with the historian.

We reached the Otter Overlook peaks and at the intersection and there was no accommodation. What I did not understand was that the shelter was not on the road, only in the point of view.

There was a very nice gentleman who was taking his eyes. He asked about our walk. The geography also explained. The shelter was 6 miles in the park. Not in the direction we were going.

Maybe we can try

We walk. I was sad. I was very sad. After being together 50 years, it is something strange for us to share new and old experiences.

After a more walking mile, we returned to Parkway. Seeing how sad he was, the historian said: «Let’s call and see if they have a room for the night.»

«That will be expensive. Really expensive,» I replied.

«It’s important,» he said.

«How will we get there?» I replied.

«Just see if they have a room. Then we can solve it.»

I called. Yes, they have a room. We have a reservation. At that same moment, the gentleman talked with units. You are happy to take a walk! More Magic of Trail.

Lodge Otter Picos

We arrive and we are assigned a beautiful room.

When we were children, my mother had extracted a promise that we would be willing to eat cheap food for the rest of the week if we wanted to have lunch on the Lodge Otter peaks. We agreed. Now I was going to have dinner and a room and a bathroom!

I sent a text message to my sister who was as excited as. He reminded me that he had a corn shell doll on his desk that had come from there when we had lunch.

The shelter was clean and freshly painted, but did not change much since it was built in 1967.

Dinner and more gifts

After our showers, dressed in our best babero and tucker, we go to the restaurant. This has to be the first time I took my long John shirt to dinner.

We select soup, salad and crustini for snacks and the special steak for an incoming. The food was less expensive than we feared and quite delicious.

During the service, our waiting staff discovered that we were finishing the path of the Apalaches. She lit up and said: «We have you.»

We did not understand. She returned with even more magic. All lodge staff had signed a hanging wall for us.

After food and gifts, an older couple and the woman’s sister began to sing and play mountain music. His voices were as a velvet together, bringing life to the mysterious ancient songs.

When we left, we thank you for your music. They invited us to sing a song with them. We are both singers, so it touched a deep cord in us to share that moment.

Adrift

As every day, we end up with gratitude for the next dream and the restoration it can bring. Every day is full of unexpected events that bring us joy and sometimes suffer.

The nights have acquired a new meaning since we started walking. During the magical time in which we are asleep, our bodies and our minds are working on Rek work with our bones, muscles and memories so that we can get up and taste another day of this unexpected and magical life that we are living.