Date: 2014-03-29
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: moderate rain

Day17: Wesser Bald Shelter (131.4) to Nantahala Outdoor Center (137.3)A fog seemed to cover everything, even in the shelter - everything felt damp and I felt clammy. To top it all off, we were visited by mice. Nothing seemed to be eaten, but Michael found mice turds on his stuff. It was warmer, I'll give it that, but just damp. Apparently, it was really foggy during the night. RW got up during the night and didn't want to venture too far from the shelter because it was very dark and foggy.The good news is that we just have 5.9 miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, mostly down hill, although that isn't necessarily a good thing! But only 6 miles.....We ate some granola for breakfast and packed up our damp stuff. We chatted with Tortoise and Paul, and we exchanged contact information. Paul had commented that he'd like to get out to Washington sometime. Then they asked if they could hike with us today down to the NOC. "If you want, but I am really, REALLY slow!" It wasn't too cold, just damp, so I wore my rain skirt but not the chaps. The skirt and rain jacket would keep me mostly dry, but not too hot, hopefully. I got to go first and set the pace. "Let us know if you want to pass us, if you want to get to the NOC more quickly!"Michael and Tortoise talked about college and jobs, while I focused on the trail! Before it started its descent, there were little ups and downs, with a bit of flat, which I liked! Then we hit more rocks. Slow and easy. More rocks, and now we're going down.A few places, Michael went first to help me get down over the rocks. We came to a switchback and ALL I saw was a cascade of rocks. Michael took my pack so I could crawl and scramble down over them more easily.Finally, it looked like maybe, just MAYBE, the rough spots were over and I took my pack back. Somewhere aong the way, Michael stopped to pee, and the three of us continued on. Tortoise was talking to me, and she asked, "So how are you doing?"I stopped and turned to her, "Well, actually, I'm getting off the trail at the NOC.""Temporarily?""For good! It's a tough trail and it's just not me. I'm glad I did what I did and hoped to go all the way, but I'm realizing that it's not going to happen. Michael will continue on, however."They were very supportive of my decision, and was glad that I had done what I'd done. Michael caught up with us and heard us talking. "Sounds like you 'dropped the bomb'?""Now I just have to figure out how to get home!" We talked about my possible plans, but as we came to sketchy areas, I had to stop talking and focus. There was a weird rocky spring flowing over the trail. I took it real slow becaue the rocks were positioned funny. It 'looked' easy but for me, rocks are NEVER 'easy'. Well, Tortoise slipped on the rocks. Fortunately, she didn't get hurt, just wet. Good thing it wasn't cold.A few more rocky switchbacks, and Tortoise said she smelled hamburgers! None of us smelled anything, but a few more switchbacks and we ALL smelled hamburgers. We heard a train whistle and cars! There's buildings in sight! Nantahala! We crosssed the road and stopped by the little store. Chatted a bit with Tortoise and Paul, then hugged and wished them well. I called Roberta, and she said she'd be there in about 20 minutes. Then who should stop by but Solo! He'd already been there a couple days. I told him that I'd be getting off the trail but Michael was continuing on. He turned to Michael and said, "Now you can burn up the trail!""Yeah, he won't have the 'anchor' with him.""Mom, you're not an anchor. You're more like rolling a tire!" (Thanks, son!)I called Marty to let him know that I was getting off the trail and why. I had a plan, with a couple other friends in North Carolina, maybe I can still visit them while I wait for a flight home, that I'd asked Marty to check on.Solo moved on and we headed to the restaurant, where we'd meet Roberta. We sat there and Solo came by again as well as Tortoise and Paul. Not too long after, Roberta came. She probably recognized us as Mother/Son Hiker Trash! We went in the restaurant for lunch and got reacquainted! Afterwards, she took us to her home - a warm, dry, cozy place with two cats! Who could ask for more?Showers, laundry, getting acquainted with the two cats-Mango and Little Black Cat (although she's not 'little' anymore), then dinner. So nice to relax after dinner and through the evening.Thank you so much, Roberta. This has been great!The Mum and....