Date: 2017-10-30
To: Boots Off Hostel
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

10/30Boots Off Hostel13 milesI was worried about waking up in time. Sierra had said she would poke me when she got up. But I kept waking up and checking my watch. I woke up at six and turned on my light inside my bunk, being the first to wake up. Imitating Fearless, I wore most of my daytime clothes to sleep for a faster start. I had to wrestle my bra on under my clothes, but I was up and about quickly. I stepped outside the nice warm bunkhouse to visit the bathroom and once again wished the bathroom was attached to the bunkhouse. It was about 28 degrees and there was snow on the ground, but it felt warmer than it did yesterday with wind and sleet. My feet were icy last night. I'm coming to realize that my sleeping bag is fine. My feet's problems will not be resolved with more insulation. I'll have to add heat to the situation with hand warmers or a hot water bottle. After a breakfast eaten while sitting in front of a heater, we all bundled into the Hiker Hauler - Jim's Suburban. As we drove up to higher elevation, the road turned icy and I couldn't watch. Fearless, sitting next to me, was highly amused when I covered my eyes. She was less amused when we stopped and they had to get out into the snow. They looked miserable setting out into the snow. Jim and Seiko and I drove on to Wilbur Dam where they let me out. The hike was quite pleasant until I got to Pond Mountain. I mean, it was still nice walking, but it started getting snowy. Snow led to wet, cold feet. I wished that I had brought my waterproof socks. I didn't take any breaks, wanting to get to lower elevation. When the temperature rose, ice water starting dropping out of trees and I bundled into my rain jacket, skirt, and pole covers. Laurel Creek was really roaring with the recent rains. When I got to Dennis Cove Rd, I was surprised to see Seiko. He said he was waiting for a hiker. I said it was nice to see him and turned to head up to Kincora. Then he let me know that I was the hiker he was waiting for. Heh! I was so surprised!  After a miscommunication he turned around and took me to Kincora to get my package from Goddess, then drove us back to Boots Off. Tommy, Fearless' husband, was waiting for her across from Shook Branch Park when we pulled up, so we said hi. Then Seiko dropped me off and I went in to open my package. It was full of wonders, including a Halloween headband to wear tomorrow, many many snacks, a card, and Caramel Kiss Vodka. I was blown away - and absolutely needed no additional food!I texted Goddess to thank her, then caught up with everybody else to go out to dinner. We went to El Charolais in Elizabethton for some fairly spectacular Mexican food. We almost all got Margaritas. I got Huaracha and a chorizo taco, which were stunning, as well as a less exciting tostada. JD was sitting next to me and suddenly started feeling poorly. He put his head down near his knees and started sweating heavily. He said he needed to lie down and put his feet up, but he couldn't do it there. I organized Sleepy Bear and Tommy to haul him out to the car while I paid our bill. I left to sit with him while everyone else paid. He felt better as soon as he lay down, which was a relief. On the way back we stopped so I could buy denatured alcohol. I put down my foil and stove at the bunkhouse to test it. I put just a little in the stove and lit it to make sure I had the right product. It made quite a flame without the pot on it. Within a few seconds four alarmed men were behind me, thinking the bunkhouse was on fire. I apologized for not alerting them first, but assured them it was under control and would burn out in seconds, which it did. Whoopsy! No harm done though, other than to Jim's nerves. I packed as much as I could, but the sleeping bag has to go low in the pack. Tomorrow Tommy will drop me off at Dennis Cove Rd and I'll be on my own again. I think in good weather I'd rather sleep in the woods anyway, but I'll sure miss everyone else.