Date: 2016-04-01
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: light rain

Day 40 - Hogback Ridge Shelter to Erwin, TN 2.4 miles 4/1/16Crazy night. Didn't sleep well. We were crammed into the shelter and then the rain started. Very loud but eventually I was able to get some sleep. Then around 5am I woke to the sound of Cheetah constantly pulling Velcro apart. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. A mouse was chewing on the wall beside her so loud that it sounded like a zipper being pulled up and down. At that point I yanked Cheetah onto my sleeping pad. I hate mice so much and they are my kryptonite on this trail. Somehow fell back asleep til around 7am. Agua was up and out of the shelter around 6:30am. He hiked slow, low mileage with us yesterday so I'm guessing he is trying to push some miles. We got moving around 7:30am. Snap slept in his tent bc he hit the shelter after it had filled up. He so easily puts a smile on people's faces. Also, his most recent photo was used by Appalachian Trials on their Instagram blog. We headed out of camp around 9am. This left us with 2.5 miles to hike in an hour. Easy terrain too. We left Riptide and Honeybuns back at the shelter.I had surprisingly fresh legs so I went a little faster than Cheetah and Snap to hit Sam's Gap right at 10am. Didn't want to miss Eggman. I followed Otter and Smalls (2 Tennessee boys) into the gap. Low and behold there was trail magic. An amazing man named Quiet Paul (2006 AT thru hiker, Carolina Mtn Club member) was cooking 6 eggs per person and half a plate of hashbrowns. So delicious. Cheetah and I both had a cold beer with our breakfast. Paul said he does trail magic every year for 10 days I that same spot. Cheetah and I have discussed annual trail magic plans after the 100 days. It's an amazing way to stay connected to your original hike while maintaining a dynamic relationship with the trail.Eggman was able to fit Snap and Riptide in the car as well and we headed to Erwin. It was a 30 min drive thru windy roads and beautiful landscape. We stopped at a gas station to repay Eggman for his ride with two 6 packs. Uncle Johnny's hostel was busy. It sits right on the Nolichucky River and it was fun to run into familiar faces (i.e. Green Hornet, Palendrome, etc). I picked up new trekking poles from REI and I think they're going to work. They are men's so they're not as skinny as mine but we shall see. I will send my broken poles back to REI so they can reimburse me. We were sitting in the sun when we saw Corncob and Rhodo roll up with Mama Corncob. She looks like one of his sisters and is amazing. She had a bunch of food so we gave Snap a hug and headed out with the crew. Johnson City is about 20 mins from Erwin and we are staying in the Comfort Suites. Mama Corncob went above and beyond (even this is an understatement). She booked Cheetah and I a suite. We have a jacuzzi tub, king size bed, and completely separate room with wet bar, couch, tv, desk, etc. Great real estate for laying out the stinky clothes and tents. Then she pulled out the food. Dear god I almost died...Brie, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, FRUIT, guacamole, beer, champagne. OMG. THEN Mama Corncob showed us the Walmart clothes she bought us so we didn't have to wear dirty clothes until laundry. Wow, overwhelmed and happy. She is amazing. She also brought face wash, shampoo, Epsom salt, razors, etc. I caught up a little on Trail Journals and then hung out with everyone after showers. We decided on Mediterranean. Great decision. I got dolma with lamb meat. So good. The place was caused Babylon and was BYOB so we enjoyed some wine. Brought some leftovers home. Got back around 10:30 and I finished up Trail Journals. Called Truitt who was a sleepy puppy. Then talked to Mr. Keegan via FaceTime with Cheetah! Exciting news! Mr. K is planning on riding his motorcycle down to Erwin on Sunday and then hiking with us on Monday. YES! Can't wait to see him great day!