North Carolina – It hurts a lot

Where do I start?

How about the first hill? My close hiking friend, Smoky Mountain Angel, warned this would happen. I thought to myself, but really, how hard can it be? Well, let this Hoosier girl tell you. It’s like NC told GA. «You think you’re tough? Hold my beer.»

Let’s start with Albert Mountain.

Yowzers. Still, in my opinion, the most difficult climb to a cool fire tower. Albert Mountain is where I also hit the 100 mile mark, which I felt “very good«. The next toughest climb for a fire tower would probably be Mount Cammerrer. But that’s in Tennessee.

Which brings me to the Smoky Mountains

In the Smokies, you’re in North Carolina or Tennessee. It’s hard to tell the difference. Due to freezing weather and high winds, I had to wait 3 days in Bryson City, North Carolina before I could enter. 3 DAYS! When I got to the Smoky Mountains, it had the most beautiful weather and views, and it was, you guessed it, very good!

ZERO setbacks.

I may be exaggerating too much. No, I don’t think so. I remember looking at the TOPO on FarOut every morning and thinking: Really? Up, down. However, there are really interesting things called «gaps» in the middle. That’s usually where I take a quick break to “get psyched” for the next hill. Or, as I often say, CLIMB the mountain. This time, there was a «Cookie Lady» who lived in one of the hollows and baked fresh homemade cookies for the hikers. this was indeed very good!

Now, let’s talk about the PEOPLE!

If it weren’t for people like the “cookie lady,” I don’t know if my mental game would have been able to pull it off. I am going to highlight an incredible blessing from each group that made me feel «very good» when the trail was trying to KNOW ME!

The trail maintainers

I first heard about Steve with Unicoi Shuttles when I was in Franklin, North Carolina. It’s actually in Erwin, TN, but it’s traveling all the way to Franklin, all the way to Roanoke, VA! Everyone talks about Steve and how wonderful he is, and they’re right! What I didn’t realize was how much work you do as a trail maintainer. I first tried to hire him while walking down a mountain to Uncle Johnny’s lodge, thinking I would need a shuttle across the «non-existent bridge» to the lodge. He was honest and friendly, making sure I knew where I was going. I later hired him for a shuttle and got to know him a little better. We talked about all of Helene’s damage and how much work has already been done, but there is still so much more to do! Then he showed me the section they are working on next. That’s when my heart hurt. heart. When I was able to walk through what they had done and what still needed to be cleaned up. I am still speechless from the devastation and what the communities went through during this. I am so grateful for people like Steve, the Heroes, who continue to go out and clean the roads almost 2 years later. Very good.

The angels of the path

The Six Pack hikers. Yes, you know I’m a fan! Every year, I pick a couple of YouTubers to watch, and in 2025, they were one of them. As a former Director of Student Ministries, I have led many student backpacking trips, and they are NOT easy! The logistics alone are difficult enough, and then you add the physical and emotional needs. Let’s say Beacon (the mom) is my HERO. When he texted me to tell me he wanted to meet up and give me magic on the trail, my heart nearly exploded. It was the PERFECT moment! One of my hiking companions had just returned home and the other was sore. Remember, North Carolina is TOUGH! We saw a good time and it just “turned out” to be Palm Sunday. This would have been a big day for me at my job at home, so I was feeling a little homesick too. The day before, I met a young woman whose tent failed in the freezing rain, and I knew I had to invite her. Let’s just say the Six Pack Hikers did not disappoint! They are the kindest, most generous and attentive family I have ever met. They brought breakfast sandwiches, fruit, hot chocolate, coffee and let us warm up in their car while we ate. Excellent! They then packed us up for 16 miles and met us again that afternoon with Jimmy John’s sandwiches, chips, drinks, and cookies. We had great conversations and so many laughs! It was exactly what we needed! However, what I needed most was prayer, and Remy made sure we were all covered. Excellent!

Hostel owners

Bookmaker @ The Rambling Roots. I know we’re not supposed to cover up any certain business, so I’m talking about her as a person! The bookie is a hiker. He climbed the AT in 2015. He speaks the language and understands it. When I first met Bookie, I learned that she helped a young man named Shotgun, who she had been hiking with, get home. He is a 19-year-old from New Jersey and was injured. She took him home. I quickly thanked him, I think with a hug. That’s how she met me. Then I met a young woman who worked at her hostel and discovered that she was doing a “stay job.” He had a small injury, not much money, but he didn’t want to give up the road. Bookie made that happen for a few days. It happened to me again with another hiker while I was there. How do I know this? I was sucked into the Rambling Roots vortex for 3 days!

Their hostel/house is very beautifully decorated. Each bunk is private and has charging stations. There is 2 private rooms. Lots of toilets/showers. A large living room. Free pancakes and coffee every morning. Did I mention the SETTING? Plus, if you ask him nicely, he’ll even “charge the stars.” I can’t tell you what this is. You’ll have to find out when you get there! Excellent!

HIKER PRO TIP: I was sucked into the vortex while packing BACKWARDS from Stecoah Gap to the NOC. Trust me. If you’re not a purist, you’ll thank me after thanking Bookie. It was originally his idea!

North Carolina

You tried to defeat me and I still LOVE YOU! My Border Ballad dedication to you is: It Hurts a Lot by John Cougar Mellencamp. I’m still hiking. I continue to love and live the dream. Your hills are incredibly tough, your views are stunning and your people are VERY GOOD!

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