Date: 2015-03-23
From: Painter Branch Campsite

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

A little rain last night but a beautiful day today. The sun was shinning and it was perfect hiking weather. It had a hint of cool that makes the day just more enjoyable to hike in. I got up early and was on the trail at 7:22am. I had a nice 1,500 climb out of camp. At the top was a grassy bald with an FAA tower. The views from the area around it we're beautiful.A couple hours later I hit the high loin of the day. It is an amazing stretch of land and rolling hills called Max Patch. As I was summiting the hill, I ran across a couple day hikers who wanted to know about how far I had come from, where I was going, etc. One woman wanted a picture of me even. People sometimes have never seen (potential) thru-hikers. It's pretty cool. Max Patch was absolutely stunning! Aside from doing a night hike in the Smoky's, this was unreal. It was just acres upon acres of hillsides and rolling lands, cleared of trees and left for grazing. The views of the area and the mountains in the distance were almost too much to take in. I wish you could have been there, relaxing on the hill, sun beaming down, cool breeze in the air. I'll surely remember this!We ate lunch at Max Patch (Grey Wolf, Shrugs, Axon, Victor). We were talking about the views of course. But we were really talking about how large our appetites have become! I have been carrying a lot of food...or so I had thought. I go through my food and I'm hungry still. I mean, I'm hammering down calories and eating all day but I still need to eat more. As much as I didn't want to leave Max Patch I knew the trail awaited. I hiked with Victor for a bit and we heard Fresh Ground was set up at Lemon Gap. Fresh Ground always has the food hook-up for hikers. Once we heard he was there, we put it into overdrive with Grey Wolf taking the lead. The miles couldn't go fast enough! When we FINALLY reach Lemon Gap, Fresh Ground was welcoming and ready to feed us. It was excellent of course. I had three hot dogs, 2 cups of homemade chicken & rice, a bunch of fresh cut french fries, and a couple cups of Kool-Aid. I was stuffed but had a couple snacks for the road too. It was only 1.3 miles from Lemon Gap to camp but I was dreading the hike after eating all of that. I ended up making it to the Walnut Mountain Shelter where I'm tenting but i wasn't looking forward to it. There are just two guys in the shelter and Paradox camping somewhere in the woods. Me, Shrugs & Axon camping on the hill near the shelter. We're making tomorrow short so we can nero (hike less than 5 miles) into Hot Springs. My feet have been feeling better but my right shoulder has been giving me an issue for the last few days. It's a pain, literally and figuratively, to hike with. I'm going to baby it and monitor it as I go. Today was pretty interesting though. It wasn't about the views though. It was today when I actually had it hit me that I am thru-hiker. For so many years is pass them on the trail and I admired their journey and was envious of their opportunity. Now, people as me questions about thru-hiking. People want to take pictures with you because it's not something everyone does. "Wow" is the repetitive word I hear when I respond to their questions. It really feels special and it puts into perspective what I am doing. It feels really good to be out here. It feels like I truly belong here. I'm so grateful of this chance and the support family members, friends, coworkers and perfect strangers. What an amazing experience!