Date: 2017-03-29
From: Low Gap Camp site, NC

To: No Business Knob Shelter, TN
Miles today: 14.6

3/29/17 No Business Knob Shelter, TNMiles hiked: 336.5, Miles to go: 1853.3Today was a great day on the trail. Although, I think the earth must have shifted on its axis during the night. My tent was on a 2-3 degree slant when I went to bed; however, it must have shifted to a 20-30 degree slant after I fell asleep. I inchworm slept all night. I would wake up at the lower end of the sloping tent, would pull myself back up, fall back asleep, and wake up in a heap at the bottom of the tent again. Not the most restful...We awoke to full sunshine and warm temperatures. I hiked all day with First Sergeant. What a great guy! He's a thirty year US Air Force veteran who is about my age. We talked all day about our kids, grandkids, wives, careers, etc. Although I really like all the young adults I've been hiking with, it was nice to talk with a contemporary. As an added bonus, we hike the same pace. We started climbing straight out of the campsite and climbed for quite awhile. Near the top of the climb, the trail got pretty rough and rocky. We finally reached the top of the climb and found ourselves on an open bald. What a surprise! We all had somehow missed in the guidebook that we would be crossing a bald. It was beautiful, with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. It was every bit as pretty as Max Patch. First Sergeant and I were the first ones there since we were the first out of camp. Soon Lumber Jill, Darwin, and Oz joined us. We all just hung out for awhile taking pictures and enjoying the full sunshine. The rest of the day was spent in conversation and hiking on pleasant trail that had more downhill than uphill. We still had a couple of pretty big climbs; but, I think the trail legs are beginning to kick in. They weren't too bad. I decided that we were having such a good day that we were destined to have trail magic when we crossed US 19 at Spivey Gap. I told Oz, Lumber Jill, First Sergeant, and Legs about my premonition when we all stopped at the same place for lunch. Alas, when we reached Spivey Gap - no trail magic. Bummer. First Sergeant and I continued hiking in the warm sunshine as the rest of the crew passed us one by one. We did come upon Lumber Jill sitting on a log having a snack about 4 miles before the shelter. So, the three of us finished out the day hiking together, discussing plans for a town day in Erwin, TN tomorrow. We reached the shelter about 4 pm and found several nice, flat spots for our tents. Yay. After we had eaten and were cleaning up, Machine arrived. He had hiked a 21 mile day to catch up. The first thing he said was, "Hey, did you guys get some of that trail magic at Spivey Gap?" I knew it! I knew there was going to be trail magic at Spivey Gap! Apparently, the person arrived right after we passed through. Bummer. Maybe next time. In a little while, Winter, who also put in a 21 mile day, arrived. There are now about 12 - 14 people settling in for the night. Some of them in the shelter and some of us in tents. Tomorrow - a six mile hike into Erwin, TN. Town day - yay!Little things (all good):Town day!Good conversation making the miles disappear. Spring flowers beginning to appear. Rushing mountain streams. Second graders who have chosen my blog for their 20 minute daily reading assignment.