Date: 2018-04-12
From: Whistling Gap

To: Erwin
Miles today: 13.3

Day 37Got up before light at around 6:00 to get packed and going. Even though we are heading into town it isn't a short day, and we want as much time in town to get stuff done since we won't zero there. Cereal, Pop-tarts and tea and we were off to climb up to a spot they call High Rock, a steep, rocky summit with great views. The sun was just peeking over the mountains as we approached the rocky summit. Soon we were down to Spivey Gap and then started the climb up along the Oglesby Branch Stream. Once we reached the top we started a long descent out of the mountains into town. About 9 miles of mostly down with a few short ups to get to an adjoining ridge. The day warmed quickly and by lunch at No Business Knob shelter we had stripped down to shorts/skirt and t-shirts. The long sustained downs are tough on our knees, but we made good time and took few breaks. When you first see Erwin until you actually arrive is a long time as it is a series of switchbacks that seem to go on forever before you finally arrive. Grabbed a quick Ice Cream novelty and Gatorade at Uncle Johnny's when we arrived as we were really sweating in the hottest weather we've had yet. Uncle Johnny's shuttled us over to the Super 8 where we got cleaned up and did laundry. "Jack Rabbit" had told us about a burger joint called Pal's just down the road that had great burgers and milkshakes, so as soon as we were cleaned up we headed out to find it. Several other hikers had got their order placed and were at a nearby picnic table enjoying their food. We walked up to the drive thru window and placed our order and were told to back up and wait and they would let us know when it was ready. With food in hand we headed to the picnic table to join the others. They were a good-natured group (Jo, Two, Hemlock, Jack Rabbit, Sandals & Ninja Snail), and they are all zeroing tomorrow and were enjoying some burgers and milkshakes before heading to the movie theater to see Ready Player One. They invited us to join them at the movies, but we declined as we wanted to rest as we will meet Mary's sister April and brother-in-law Phil tomorrow and then head back to the trail later in the day. The food was great and certainly hit the spot. Back at the room we worked on catching up on journal entries and tried to figure out the next resupply spot for the upcoming leg of the hike. I'm having a little trouble planning because they are predicting heavy rain and then another round of cold Saturday night, Sunday, and into Monday. This is when we'll be heading up Roan Mountain and into the Humps. Roan is 6,200' and the series of balds are all over 5,000'. The high elevation will likely mean we will have some snow to deal with. One, we have had enough of the snow and cold, and two this was one of my favorite areas of the trail in 2011 and I would like to go over in good weather. I guess we will get close and there are a couple of bail out options if things don't look good. I like having things all planned out, but I guess we will just have to be flexible. Well, off to bed...Note from Mary: The mention of the cold, rain, snow etc reminds me of a little diddy we've made up to the tune of 9-5..."Hiking 9-5 what a way to hike the ATYou would think that we could get going a little earlybut the rain, sleet, snow and cold won't seem to let ussometimes we think the weather is out to get us, yeah..."