Date: 2014-05-03
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.7

   It was really chilly last night so we didn't get to sleep for awhile. When I got up, I took out Little Champion to feed him and I had this bad feeling in my gut because it we my first time sleeping with him. But I kept checkin throughout the night to make sure I wasn't squishing him and I felt him move before I finally fell asleep. He wasn't moving when I took him out and he looked dehydrated. I should've fed him in the middle of the night. It may have been too cold for him but I did have on three layers. I really hope I didn't crush him. I felt awful about it. We buried him at the base of a big tree behind the shelter though. Dan had a dream about him too that he was normal size but still had baby features like closed eyes. Then we saw a big mouse at a shelter today and said it was Little Champion reincarnated!   Getting ready in the morning was real slow and nice. We stayed in our bags for awhile because it was so chilly. Once more people left, Ben put on Sufjan Stevens and Iron & Wine on his speakers and it was such a great, chill start to the day. I'd like to do that way more often.    The beginning of the hike wasn't so bad and we did the first 3 miles quickly. It felt a lot quicker than yesterday so that was great already. Lots of steep downhills that roughed up the knees a little. The one huge climb for the day wasn't as bad as we thought it would be, or we felt really good taking it on. There's an observation tower at Wesser Bald that had 360 degree views for miles and that was incredible. We spent a little bit of time there and took a longer break at the shelter soon after where I left my phone by accident. I realized it maybe a mile later. Luckily, Dan got to the shelter right as we were leaving so I assumed he would've seen it. We stopped where we were on the trail and waited for him. When he finally came he said, "Taking a break already?!" And we laughed and I said, "I was hoping you'd have good news. I left my phone at the shelter." And he was like, "Oh yeah, I got it for you. I almost forgot." We were pissed but laughing. I'm so glad he was there and saw it.    The downhill after the Wesser Bald ridge was so atrocious. Rocks just straight below each other that you have to get down to. Then there were soft, slippery pine needles all over the trail. It was just slow going for that part. I was on my own for a few more miles from there and I really liked it. One area was just so green and lush, it felt like hiking in Hawaii. I did think there was a bear or creature of some sort nearby once because of branches moving and some loud sound so that freaked me out a little bit but I never saw anything. Those last downhill miles weren't so bad either but I wasn't so sure of how far I had gone. Eventually, I caught up to Ben at the camping area near the shelter one mile shy of the NOC. Josh and Michelle were there too so I rested up and chatted with them before pushing on into "town" (it's not really a town).   The Natahala Outdoor Center is like a great vacation area. There's a huge river going through that experienced kayakers do routes on. They have an outdoor bar where a band was playing great music and jamming all evening, a huge outfitters, expensive convenience store and restaurant, and then a hostel and lodge. You can do ziplining, kayaking, white water rafting, a ropes course, and probably more stuff. It would definitely be a great place to come back to. Lots of people are here and they all smell good. It's weird.    When we got here, we ran into Pyro and Wonkers, Nap Time, Heather and David, Featherweight and 40 oz. (who I met when we stayed in Franklin) and some other hikers. It was great to see them all and catch up a bit. Ben and I walked off to find where we'd set up camp. He had been here before and knew of some spots but they turned them into an actual campground. We found some space near the river downstream and let Josh and Michelle know. Dan came around that time too so we all set up there. Radio Flyer and Jet Power showed up soon after and we told them about the spot too so we have a great little camp area.    After roaming around and getting sad over the extreme prices, I walked up to the outdoor bar and they had tasty-sounding sides for $1.50. Ben got hummus with kettle chips and I got baked beans and steamed kale. It was all so good and so cheap! We went back to camp after that anyway to cook our actual dinners. I called my mom on the way and talked to her for almost an hour. It was nice to catch up and hear about her trip to Italy. After dinner, I washed some clothes in the river with Radio Flyer and we talked a little about veganism and related things since she worked at an animal hospital.    I walked back over to the bar area and found Ben, Dan, Josh, and Michelle hanging out by a fire with a bunch of other people around. It was a nice setting. The band started playing again and I eventually went up to that area so I could charge things and write in my journal where there was light. It is after 10 now though so it is far past bedtime but we had an eventful afternoon and evening so it's been worth it for sure. Tomorrow is likely to be a really short day anyway mostly because it's completely uphill and will be long in time. And tough. I hope my body will cooperate with me though. I'll just make sure to take a ton of breaks. The bridge over the river has lights strung across it so it looks really pretty here and I love hearing the sound of the rushing river all along this place. Maybe it'll help me sleep well!