Date: 2014-04-25
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Good day into the NOC!I had a very good night's sleep and awoke refreshed and ready to hike. It rained briefly during the night, but it wasn't wet this morning so getting packed up and having a bite of breakfast went relatively quickly. I was back in my stride with no complaints from my Achilles. :-) There was a lot more downhill than up and I got into the NOC about 12:30, having hit the trail about 7:30.On the way down I caught up with two young women on the trail who were section hiking fron Winding Stair Gap to the NOC. They were fron Wisconsin and I later wondered why they had picked this section of the AT for their hike. I moved on ahead and they caught up with me as I was taking a break to video a 360 panorama of the wonderful views to both sides of the trail. So I included then in the scene, having them say their names. They asked me if this section was representative of the whole AT and I told them it was much less rocky and more gradual than much of Georgia.As I headed off ahead of them, the trail almost immediately became steep and rocky - just like Georgia! I also passed Dandelion, who I had passed once yesterday and who later passed me when I was taking my lunch and electrolyte break. She's hiking with her all white Alaskan husky/German shepherd mix dog. A beautiful dog! I don't try to talk much with solo young women since I want to respect the concerns some may have with a scraggly old man approaching them - even one as friendly and with as noble intent as I. :-)When I got to the NOC, I got a bed in the bunkhouse. This place is teeming with people! Most are here for the kayaking. First on the agenda for me was a hot shower followed by a trip to the laundry machines, where I started working on four days of journals. Then I went to the restaurant!As the hostess was taking me to a table, there sat Bart and Chosen One! They were just finishing but stayed and chatted with me until past when I had finished my lunch: the Mile 137.7 Hiker Special - a large open face double hamburger smothered with chile and a large side of fries. I didn't think l could eat that much... but finished it with no problem. :-0They're friends from Salt Lake City. The third guy, John, is from PA and had met them on the trail. He left them a couple days ago to go into Franklin for some gear changes, but will probably catch up. Chosen One hiked the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) last year and has friends who are making a documentary film of his journey. They're trying to get it into the Toronto film festival this fall. (Search Facebook for One Single Step.) That, of course, led me into talking about our son-in-law Scott's journey in the film making world.They're hiking on north this evening for a few miles, but I'll catch up with them at Fontana Dam. They have to wait there to pick up a package Mon or Tue.I also briefly saw the young women I'd met earlier and met several new hikers. Ive got two bunkroom mates, Alex and Mason, who are here for different courses pertaining to white water rescue. Of course I spent a lot of time chatting with them, too. So much for finishing my journals and getting to bed early! That's OK, the restaurant doesn't open 'til 8:00 tomorroe morning!The best part of the day was having a long chat on the phone with my Sweetie! :-)