Date: 2018-11-11
From: Tanyard Gap

To: Garenflo Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

My flight to Asheville NC was wonderful. For the first time ever I chatted with the stranger next to me for the entire leg into Charlotte. A nice man named Terry who moved to Asheville 6 years ago but has a brother and his Mom in Keene NH. I grabbed some Panda Express in between flights for my dinner. When we landed in Asheville I called Judy at Lightheart Gear. I have a rain skirt I purchased from her that isn't keeping me dry. I called Judy early in the week to see what I could treat it with. She was disappointed that it wasn't functioning properly and offered to meet me at the airport to exchange it for me. Amazing customer service! By the time I deplaned and got my backpack from baggage claim Judy was out front. A very kind woman and it was such a pleasure to meet her. I absolutey love the hiking skirts I have from her and I've sold a few for her as I've been a walking advertisement for them on the trail. We exchanged the rain skirts and she offered to take me in for the night which was so kind. But WE and Leeanne were waiting around the corner for my text message so they could take me back to Hot Springs NC where they had the camper. It was about an hour ride back to Hot Springs and a little after 11pm when we crawled into bed. They had my bed all made up for me and I was instantly comfortable. They were getting up at 3:45am to drive to the trail so WE could hike the 20 miles she was supposed to hike today. She did hike today, after getting up at 3am but walked the wrong direction on the trail. As the sun rose she realized it was on the wrong side of her, and thus she hiked the 9 miles that we planned to hike together. I'm sure she cussed herself out for getting up so early to hike only 4 hours! I slept until 8am after having some trouble sleeping. After breakfast I chose a shorter hike that WE had already done and Leeanne dropped me off at the trail at 10am. I walked back into Hot Springs, along the French Broad River and right to the camper, about 6.6 miles. The hike was fabulous! It was easy with small ups and downs in sunshine and wonderful temps in the upper 40's and low 50's. I smiled. It felt so good to be back on the trail working toward my goal. It was lunch time when I got back to the camper so I made a turkey sandwich and after I ate I opted for another 5.9 mile section on the other side of town. Leeanne dropped me off and once again I walked back into town and to the camper. What a cute little community Hot Springs is. A few restaurants, an Outfitter, a Hot Spring where you can soak in a tub of natural hot mineral water and some other assorted businesses all within walking distance. I stopped at the Laughing Heart Hostel to say hello to Insect who was there taking a zero day. It was great to see her. At the camper I settled in, showered and when Leeanne arrived back after picking WE up we went to the tavern in town for dinner. I can't believe how much I ate. It's like my hiker hunger was on pause and I hit the reset button with my 1st day of hiking! I even had ice cream for dinner....but not a whole pint! WE and Leanne had quite the adventure today. On only 3 hours of sleep Leanne couldn't find the pickup spot or plan B pickup spot they'd agreed upon after GPS wrongly directed her and the sign for the hostel didn't seem clear. GPS told her to park and walk a mile. So with the 2 dogs she set out walking. Meanwhile WE was already at the hostel which was plan B pickup and the hostel owner drove her to where she thought Leanne might have ended up parking after not getting a response from Leanne by phone. The car was there but Leanne was a mile up the trail by the time WE found her, walking in Crocks with sundown nipping at her heals. WE took the dogs and ran back to get the car while Leanne hiked at shorter route to the road. WE tripped and fell, losing the keys temporarily and one of the dogs ran off scared by his retractable leash that was following him. She eventually found the keys and caught up with little Speck and saved him from his leash and rescued Leanne from her 1.6 mile hike in Crocks. Day 2 of WE calamity! I just have to laugh at the thought of it all playing out as poor little Speck runs away from the leash he's dragging!Tomorrow calls for rain and we have an 8.4 mile hike planned. I should sleep better tonight after hiking and being more settled in.