The Views

Day 11: April 1, 2015

Weather: sunny and warm

Miles travelled: 0

Total miles on AT: 106.1

I just hung around Franklin all day, not doing much, all day. I was walking back from the dollar store when some guys stopped to tell me about a hiker hangout later that day, but I ended up not going because I didn't want to go alone.

I ate at a mexican restaurant and they put me in a back room away from everyone else. I didn't think I smelled that much!

Day 11: April 2, 2015

Weather: foggy and cloudy all day, crazy wind

Miles travelled: 14.7

Total miles on AT: 120.8

I caught the 9am shuttle back to the trail, feeling refreshed. My feet were great, I had started taking ibuprofen regularly and combined with the break and new insoles, I felt no pain. It was more foggy in the mountains than in town, and at points I couldn't even see my feet clearly. I love seeing so much water everywhere though. 

My feet started really hurting at about mile 10, and I got really frustrated because I was hoping they wouldn't hurt so soon. I wanted to at least keep up with the people I started with, but they got ahead of me and I'm not going to be able to catch them anytime soon. 

The summit of wyah bald was incredible, it was paved and had a parking lot. I walked on the side in the dirt because pavement hurts. The views were really nice though, from a fancy tower. 

When I got to the shelter, there were a lot of people there and they were being loud (bottles of liquor were involved) so I decided to sleep in my tent for the first time. It was really nice! It was windy and rainy but I was warm. I kept thinking a creaky tree would fall on me though. I liked being able to get up in the morning without bothering anyone.

Day 12: April 13, 2015

Weather: cloudy and crazy windy

Miles travelled: 10.6

Total miles on AT: 131.4

The sunrise was incredible, no picture could capture those colors. I didn't know the sky could make such a deep red color. I started strong and early, refreshed from a good night of sleep.

I listened to an audiobook all day, "Elsewhere". It's a book that's really for young adults but it's easy to follow and I liked the distraction from my feet, which were killing me again. That's why I stopped so early. I took a lot of breaks to rest them.

I spent an hour and a half sitting on grass in the sun with some other thru hikers, talking and eating. At some point, someone drove up with trail magic: pizza, cookies, soda, beer, chips, and fruit. It was so nice. I was re-energized by it and flew the last two miles.

I really like all the people staying in the shelter tonight, and it's supposed to thunderstorm, so I decided to pass up my tent privacy to be "social" but mostly dry and warm. I had really yummy spaghetti for dinner, it was my favorite meal yet. It's been fun to talk with everyone in the shelter too, they're so nice and normal and about my age, it's kind of unusual.