Date: 2016-04-03
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 42 - Spivey Gap to Erwin, TN 4/3/16 11.1 miles (slack pack)9:30am wake up in order to grab breakfast from the hotel in time. Did a lot of small odds and ends at that point. Switched out ziplock bags, packed clothes, sorted things to be sent home. I have decided to send home one of my long sleeve synthetics, Nike shorts, a large pair of underwear and then extra journal pages. When I'm finished with a journal I send it home as a keepsake for myself. I also rip out the pages of my AWOL guide that we have already hiked. Minimal impact on weight but it's something. We cleaned up the room and left the hotel by 2pm. Stopped at Jimmy John's for lunch, thank you Mama Corncob!Headed to Uncle Johnny's and picked up 2 small backpacks to slackpack with. Mama Corncob was nice enough to take our full packs to the Mountain Inn in Erwin. This is where Cheetah and I are staying with her father. Rhodo and Corncob got a room with Mama Corncob as well. Corncob plans on slackpacking tomorrow as well, but southbound. This way, he will walk back to Erwin and still cover new miles, while also allowing him to watch the championship game on monday.I threw a raincoat, headlamp, liter of water, SPOT, and wallet in the backpack and then Mama Corncob drove us up to Spivey Gap and we started around 4pm. I was a little weary about doing 11.1 miles at 4pm and making it to Uncle Johnny's before sundown. I was wearing shorts and didn't want to be uncomfortably cold. Complete opposite experience from what I expected. We were practically moonwalking up the mountain. We were able to push ourselves and not get fatigued. 30-35lbs makes a huge difference. This is the first time I have felt in great shape. My legs felt powerful and I was able to keep my breath the entire time. I have been drinking alcohol a lot less and eating semi-healthy out here. The strenuous days of high mileage with added weight has whipped me into tip-top shape. I compared it to the constant struggle and fatigue of soccer two-a-days and then how you feel stepping out onto the field for the first game. You KNOW you're in shape. Corncob and I walked together for a while which was nice. We discussed his potential psychology career after the trail and his concerns/expectations. I think he would make. Great therapist. Once Cheetah and Rhodo caught up we decided to run for a bit. We probably trail ran for a total of 2 miles. Once again, this felt amazing to do. In the past, seeing trail runners pass me made me question their sanity, but when you feel good it is an amazing experience. You are forced to become attached to the ground where you are placing your next foot. Are you able to decide quicker than your next footfall? It was truly fun. We hit the shelter about one and a half hours after we started. There we met Red and Blue along with a couple other hikers, Bear Bag, Sneaky Pete, etc. Quieter group than we are used to but all nice.Around the end of the hike we began to glimpse fantastic views of Erwin and the Nolichucky River. What a beautiful area. After this, I broke off from the group and continued at a light run. Hard on my knees and feet but the rest of my body felt good. I was met at the end of the trail by Uncle Johnny's huge blind dog, Jerry Garcia. He led me to the hostel and right into the big bear hug of Tom Keegan, Cheetahs dad. He had been hanging out on the front porch with Jay and Otter, sharing a beer. After loving on Cheetah and showering her with a father's kisses, we hopped in the car and drove the mile and a half to Mountain Inn. There was a feast of no small size waiting for us. All I can say is holy shit we are spoiled!Gazpacho, crab and lobster bisque, clam chowder, shrimp, clams, oysters, king crab, torta, hearts of palm, Cabernet Sauvignon, old fashioned's, and a homemade raspberry cheesecake. Tom drove back to the hostel to pick up a thru-hiker named Jay so that he could also enjoy the spread. They had worked it that Tom purchases his shrimp from Jay's Godfather. Such a small world. We feasted in the lobby of the Mountain Inn. So decadent. Put on some Ray Charles and laughed the night away. The food was the main event. Mama Corncob, Corncob, Rhodo, Jay, Tom, Cheetah, and I chewed down til 11:30pm. We cleaned up and headed to our rooms. Cheetah helped her dad put together his pick for tomorrow. His pack is pretty cool with its external frame. He also had his fathers poncho from WWII that he wore in the Philippines. Love it! We are finally getting to bed. Around 1am.