Date: 2017-03-28
From: NOC

To: Telico Gap + Nantahala Mountain Lodge
Miles today: 8.1

From Fatboy:We decided to flip flop, slackpack, SOBO (southbound), from Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) to Telico Gap today. We had breakfast at the Lodge and then loaded into the Subaru for a ride to the NOC. The roads in this area are very narrow and tortuous. If you drive them every day this must be normal. If you live in Corpus Christi, Texas, where all of the roads are flat, straight, and wide, it's similar to riding a rollercoaster with other vehicles playing chicken with you all the time. If I said the experience was thrilling and terrifying in equal parts, that would be accurate. We actually had a shuttle driver in Franklin who turned into oncoming traffic from a stop light on a divided highway at night. I was riding shotgun and Ginger was in the back seat. I stated as calmly as possible: Make a U-turn now. The driver made the turn and we all rode down the road happy to still be alive. It made me much less concerned about bears.Our slackpack started on a great note. Our packs weighed about 5# each and we both had brand new, comfortable shoes. The hike was almost all up hill which is much less painful than down hill on my knees. We left the NOC and headed south. That was kind of fun because we met quite a few people that we'd seen on the trail and Fatboy was almost giddy with being able to hike without pain. That lasted until about noon. After a couple of short descents, Fatboy's knees turned to jelly again and his feet returned to pulsating pain with every step. We did ascend Wesser Bald Tower and were treated to spectacular views and a reunion with Tequila Sunshine and Happy Feet. Fatboy hobbled down to Telico and Steve drove us back to the lodge.Dinner was excellent and enjoying a hot shower and a soft bed after a painful day hiking was a special treat. Papa Smurf and Henry The Viet Nam Vet are staying at the lodge too now and we all shared stories and fellowship after dinner. The day started on a high, passed through a low, and ended on a high. Kinda like some stretches on this trail through the mountains.From Ginger:I got to reattach my American flag charm -- a gift offered from a Recovery friend's Red Wing boot -- to my new boot. I did it in the car, seated next to Vietnam Vet. Decided that was fitting, since the flag was from a vet who survived the same war.Nathan and I often have different experiences, mentally and or physically, on the trail. Sometimes we don't know it until we're checking in with each other in the evening. I didn't realize he was still suffering, even with the boost from new shoes. I know, however, that my elation showed. I couldn't stop smiling. And, to date, I've had my favorite Trail experience. We climbed a very steep section (remember, going SOBO today) up to what's called the Jumpoff. You don't know you're there until after some hand-over-hand, creative pole digging and lifting, your head pops up and you pull yourself into a view that literally took my breath away. I was already panting, and taking in that vista nearly made me sob. THIS is what I came to see. To be surrounded by. To be inspired by. To witness that God created and it's just waiting there for us to appreciate if we dare. To use the word "awesome" or "amazing" doesn't cover it. Truly a spiritual moment for me.