Is a bank outside a grocery store an appropriate place for a nap?: Day 34 – 38 on the Path of the Apalaches

Another blog? So fast? Oh yes!

Day 34: Uncle Johnny’s in Erwin, TN (344.5) to Rizal Maple Gap Shelter (348.8)

For some reason I did not sleep at all. I was very night, going around and turning, stressing that I was no longer asleep. In the morning I was in a bad mood and was not fully prepared for the day.

I did my best to turn it early. I have a great delicious coffee that I asked badly. The local place had a wonderful rest menu … unless you are vegan. Fortunately, the wonderful barista redone my drink even though I was my fault and walked to Dunkin Donuts to get some food.

The next task in the list was to resupply in the grocery store. Honestly, in the real world (or in the matrix as we sometimes call it), even when I am in a good mood, I cannot support buying edible. I bore myself so much and I can’t keep organized. When I am tired, it will simply not happen. Then, I bought one thing and decided that I would solve it later. A nap in the Balanco outside bank sounds much more attractive than any food.

My next task was to look at the shoes in the outfitter that is now part of the shelter. I knew my altas were ready to quit smoking. They already hurt Achilles so much that I could barely sleep and feared put them in the morning. Unfortunately, my exhausted brain, again, said «calculate later», and quickly stopped looking at the shoes.

While the shelter is rebuilt and open and some local companies have returned, much of the community needs help to stand up. Miss Janet, an iconic path of trails in this area, has a wonderful list of resources on its site to help cities throughout AT – Thepeoplearetherail.org – If you can help.

A bridge that was part of the Apalaches path was completely destroyed by the storm. Fortunately, the ATC hired a ferry to help hikers through the Dangerous River and save us a dangerous road walk.

I packed one of the few things I bought at the store, vegan pepitas, and I walked, still in a bad mood and tired. Fortunately, the people with whom I was walking knew how to help. Tagless asked everyone to say something so they were grateful at that time. When my turn arrived, I couldn’t stop listing things! From the overwhelming support of my family at home to the little joys of seeing a snail along the way. I finally felt like me again.

He was not the only one who was totally exhausted, so when the idea arose to stop all those who agreed early. The crew tried to play another DND round, but the snoring exploded and the day was made.

Day 35: Arce curly gap refuge (348.8) A TENTSITE 2 miles in deviation (362.6)

After finally resting, I was ready to go! The fact that I had very little food to spend the next few days was coming at the bottom of my mind, but there was not much I could do. And I still had sweets, so it was fine!

The first long break was in Beauty Spot. I had one of my few snacks and took the time to design my Tyvek earth sheet and really relax.

Later in the day, I arrived in the oneka mountain area and the pine forest was absolutely impressive. So much so, I took another break and put my sore feet!

I entered the desire for the next section. The damage along the path has been humiliating. Hundreds of large trees demolished as matches, lying directly along the path. The amount of labor that was needed to clear even the small path through these areas is something that I can barely understand. Thanks to all community members, volunteers and fellow hikers who made possible through a possible trip this year.

Thanks to the detailed comments of Farout of the famous ICE Man, we were able to find a great camp throughout the detour. I had dinner, I prepared the camp and I saw the two now traditional episodes of King of the Hill.

Day 36: Camp along Detour (362.6) to the Sigilo Gap Gap site (380.8)

There are probably one million ways to walk really. Some people do it in sections for several years. Hikers can go to Nobo (destined to the north) or SOBO (destined to the south). More and more every year makes a flip-flop for reasons such as abdominals, climate, less impact on the path. Some love a shortcut, a road walk or take a path that used to be part of the at: the retro. There are even a couple of opportunities to get into the water adjacent to the path and rowing, known as aquatic.

And then some are purists. Those who walk each white fire to the white fire. In fact, there are probably a thousand ways to be a purist. It really depends on you at the end of the walk. What should you do to look back and feel that you achieved what you came for?

At this point on my walk, I am a single shape, without packaging, purist.

But today I had to make a decision: to make a very steep and very slippe up up and downstairs under the rain or the road of the road. I walked by road. This climb was already part of the detour and I felt good by making my own call here. I was already out of the AT. So take my purist card if you wish, but I think we all walk our own walk.

After the hard decision was made and the detour was over, I experienced a cannon event through Thru-Hike! I saw the red Etts!

These little youth triples are iconic on the way! They went out in the rain and motivated the ground like confetti! I was terrified to step on one, so I took my time, detecting more and more with each step.

For one of the first times on the way, I also had enough service to call my grandmother and dad. The support I have from home is incredible. I cried a little because of how bad their feet hurt and my grandmother reminded me how stubborn I am and that my painful feet would not get out of this. I continued with renewed energy.

An imminent storm approached and still had to go down for Roan Mountain. The shelter at the top of the mountain is closed, so it pointed to carvaders.

I stopped to see the ruins of the Cloudland hotel. What used to be a popular complex, built in the 1880s, is now a large open space with some evidence of foundations. I took a quick break to put my feet up before barrier by Roan Mountain to do the day!

Thanks to the hikers who came before me and the clear instructions they left in Farout, I could find a big big camp. Even better: it was blocked from the wind and had a stream running through the water.

Two of my favorite hikers and other Trek bloggers: Skip and Groovy, joined us. After a small non -explosive incident with another hiker stove, we all crawl into tents and sleep through the storm.

DAY 37: SIGILOSO IN CARVERS GAP (380.8) FOR US 19E and MOUNTAIN HARBOUR B&B (395.6)

I woke up so ready to address the day (Read: I arrive at a place with food because I am so hungry and I did not buy food in Erwin)! I packed and walked back at the beginning of the path to use the boxes bath there and I saw my first path of the path!

I heard that Roan’s highlands are absolutely impressive! I just listen to that because the fog rose quickly before climbing the first climb.

With very little in terms of views, the magnetic attraction of a place with real food was even stronger! Fortunately, my tramilia shared some snacks with me no matter how much I protested, but the rumor on the path was Mountain Harbor B&B has a vegan sandwich!

Basically I ran all the way there.

I quickly stopped to take a couple of photos of the fog that was trampling. I wasn’t raining at all, but the air was very humid.

I finished North Carolina for the last time, I took a quick photo, and again Zoom was around US-19E!

I met the B&B at 2:00 pm and discovered that the kitchen did not open until 4:00. However, I waited a couple of days, so I could wait two more hours.

I asked about getting a transport service somewhere for new shoes and quickly learned that it would be quite impossible (or too expensive!)

While waiting patiently for the kitchen to open, I enjoyed sitting around the fire with other hikers. The B&B shelter was ruined by Helene and are building a new one. It was sad to hear about the loss of the old barn, but it rang as if the people here had some incredible things!

Just before the kitchen opened the wildest happened! Trailmix approached me and my tramilia. Someone was willing to pay part of one of the rooms in the main house like Magic de Padreos and, since we literally ran here, we were the first on the list! I explained that my friend Chef was losing his university graduation ceremony that weekend to be here with us. We gently and with enthusiasm the room and food was even more delicious knowing that we had a real bed, private bathroom and bathtub of jacuzzi to enjoy. Thank you very much, John, for the magic of the path!

To top it off, Shannon let me know that I would have vegan options at breakfast the next day! According to comments in Farout, Mountain Harbor B&B has the best breakfast throughout the path!

I went to bed overflowing gratitude. A real food, new friends, a comfortable bed and a breakfast waiting in the morning. The magic of the path is really magical.

Day 38: Mountain Harbor B&B (395.6) to the Mountaineer Falls refuge (404.4)

A commentator in Farout said something like, he would never hesitate or go back to sleep in a real bed if that meant that they could have the Break Harbor B&B breakfast every day. I understand.

Shannon explained all the propagation and told me what dishes were vegan. I had two dishes full of fresh delight that I can dream of for the rest of my life!

Before reaching the path, I got hooked to the general dollar for some high secret supplies for a high secret celebration. Besides, I have food because I never want to be hungry on the road.

While we walk, we arrive at the 400 mile score! Each of these is very exciting right now.

The next stop was a waterfall adventure. I soaked my feet and had a snack before carefully climbing the top and assimilating everything.

I also stopped the river to look at some rebirth. However, I did not spend too much time there, because I was finally ahead of the chef and needed to reach the shelter before him!

In the shelter, I take out the secret graduation limit I did, the mixture of certificates with which it helped me and all the party supplies that I smuggled here. The people who were already in the shelter were everything and even donated a glove to make a party balloon!

We celebrate the graduation of the University of Chef along the way, in a shelter, with strangers that quickly become friends. Honestly, it was much more fun than listening to a lot of people you don’t know are called through the stage!

Everyone went to sleep in the 3 -story shelter. We still didn’t have a plan for tomorrow, but I made reservations in Boots off for the next day! Let me begin the emotion of the days of the path!