Date: 2015-03-31
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

It was a lovely morning! Great weather, nice and sunny. We didn't have to pack up a wet tent. It was great. We left camp somewhat early, I don't remember the exact time. But we moved along pretty quick. It was a pretty large do hill into the NOC. Which stands for the Nantahala Outdoor Center which is near Bryson City, NC. We passed Will and Way on the way down the mountian. Where theres a Will, theres a Way they said!! They are the cutest couple I have ever seen! I can't remember their real names, I know the wife's name is Becky. They are probably in thier 60s or 70s. They just truck along everyday and they are always in a great mood. I just can't get over the cuteness! I believe they've hiked some of the AT before...if not all of it many years ago. I keep forgetting to ask them. But looking at them I'm like I want a relationship like that. Doing something crazy like hike the AT with my sweetheart when I'm in my 70s. It'd be great!Sunny and I discussed them on the way down the mountian. We tend to talk more when it's a nice day. When it's cold and rainy we just kind of trudge along. But Sunny was talking about her relationship with her husband too. She talks about her husband a lot! I think it's great! They are so cutsie! And I'm a little jealous, hahaha. I want a relationship like that. After 14 years they're still very much in love. And he is so supportive of her hiking the AT. It's great to have that support and it makes hiking a lot easier. Anyways, after our discussions on love and relationships we walked into the NOC. The trail goes right through the outdoor center. We got there about 1030 am and stayed until about 130. We used restrooms with indoor plumbing. Relaxed in the sun next to the river. And eventually ate lunch at the resturant there. So freaking good. It was great break from the trail. I even got a grape soda that I was craving so bad. At about 130 we moved on up the trail. We wanted to get to the next shelter. Good Grief! It was a 6 mile uphill climb to the shelter. It took a good part of the afternoon. It just kept going up and up and up. And not a nice easy up, but a steep up where you just want to roll over and die. And the trail was such a tease too. You get to a point where you could start to see the "top" and you're getting a little excited. You put in one more burst of energy and you come to somewhat flat trail. You follow it around some trees and a few corners. And you're thinking just a but more and it will open up and it will be the top. You come to some bushes are wind through the leaves, you burst out of the underbrush and BAM...another giant hill to climb. After about the 6th time that happened I was ready to throw a fit. One that could rival my 2 year old nephew. But Sunny kept telling me I couldnt...so we pushed on.After what felt like forever we made it to the shelter. There was 1 other person setting up his tent and that was it. We set up our tents on somewhat flat ground which wasn't flat at all. A little bit later The Hoff, Honey Britches and her dog Freya came into camp. Followed by some of the Warrior Hike guys (and 1 girl) and Fancy Pants. We hung out at the shelter and made dinner and chatted. We looked at the weather and saw it was only 30% chance of rain...well that 30% chance showed up...in the form of hail! Yeah, hail! It was insane. It came down pretty hard for a few minutes. So awesome. But it stopped quickly and that was it. A nice clear, dry night!