Date: 2019-03-31
From: Rock Gap shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap / Franklin
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: light rain

A nero in the ghost town of Franklin to avoid frigid weather. I have a very restless night in the shelter. We are packed in like sardines. Between the brother hikers streaming video in their nearby tent and snoring from other shelter dwellers, I put in my ear plugs for the first time. Halfway through the night I throw off several layers because I'm sweating, even though it's just as cold as the last few nights. Rain showers intermittently pummel the shelter and some drops hit my face and gear. I'm lying head out because the shelter leans back, so I gradually slide towards my feet. I rotate frequently to find a comfortable position for my back. Eventually dawn comes. I must have slept at some point because Clammy said I snored.It's supposed to drop into the teens tonight so we decide to head into Franklin. Our gear is three-season, not ready for sub-20 temperatures. Rock Gap is next to the shelter and Zen, the owner of Gooder Grove hostel, walks in to offer a ride. But since we have reserved at the Budget we demur and hike the four miles over to Winding Stair Gap to the main road into town.It's a crisp and comfortably cool morning for a hike. The hill between the gaps is steeper than it looks, but there's a sweeping view near the top. At Winding Stair Gap we regroup and prepare to hitch in pairs. But Zen drives up in his rented Sprinter van and offers a ride for gas money so we take the easy option. He takes us back to Rock Gap to drop a hiker and pick up others, then back to Winding Stair Gap to pick up more. Then into town to drop folks off at several motels. Finally we get to the Budget Inn. The rented Sprinter van will need a good vacuuming after this run.Waiting for the room to be ready we have burgers and milkshakes at Motor Company Grill, the only restaurant open in downtown on Sunday. We amble down Main Street where nearly everything is closed. The exception is the Outdoor 76 outfitters. I call home and at last get to talk with Sara and the kids while Clammy and Fast Lane upgrade some gear. Fast Lane gets new insoles with better arch support and is told to slow down!At the motel we dry out gear in the sun and some folks do laundry. I skip it since it's been only three days since Hiawassee. Then, pulling Clammy away from the UK basketball game, we head to Dollar General to resupply. The Elevations pizza joint we expected to find nearby doesn't exist anymore, so UNICEF and I get Mexican at Mi Casa. Yum! Once back we head off again to the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company, a Franklin and AT institution. Raindancer and Sassafras are here, Jo-o-oe! soon joins, and Joe, formerly known as Sinatra, who I camped with my second night, also appears. He got off at Deep Gap, 24 miles behind Winding Stair Gap, because he needs better shoes and because of the cold front. Raindancer has already replaced her shoes due to swelling in her toes. She dropped her old boots into the hiker box alongside two other pairs. From the same box I scored a new pair of insoles for my Altras. They happen to be the exact size I need! My old insoles have seen 800 miles and have little cushioning left so this is a pleasant surprise to buffer my feet until I pick up my new shoes at Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in a couple days. The trail provides!A few hours of trivial pursuit and cornhole later, including an epic double cornhole for the win which marks the highlight of UNICEF's life (in his words), the brewpub is closing down and we head back. First thing tomorrow the Baptist Church picks up hikers for a free pancake breakfast, so we will be well fueled for our return to the trail.