Date: 2015-04-09
From: Betty Creek Gap, NC

To: Winding Stair Gap, NC
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

The morning began just after 6:30am for me. Whether it's my sleeping gear or just being anxious to put in more miles, I've still yet to sleep soundly on the trail. It's still not a problem, though, because it doesn't take long for the endorphins and sore muscles to wake me up. Rock Boat and I were off at 7:30am and heading for Mt. Albert 2 miles away. Three-fourths of the climb would be pleasant, offering awesome views of the surrounding mountains, most located a few hundred feet below us. However, the last fourth of the climb would prove to be nearly vertical as hiking sticks were soon deemed worthless. The climb wasn't bad on the legs, but the quick gain in elevation left our lungs wanting more. After some hand-over-hand climbing, the mountain gradually leveled off and we strolled over the 100-mile mark together, exchanging smiles and high fives in the process. On top we met up with Moosehead, Clementine, General Burnsides, and members of the Hiker Family. A fire tower rests on the 5,250ft summit and offers a picturesque 360-degree view of the surrounding terrain. It was neat to look back over where we've come from, but also a bit intimidating looking at the mountains to come. After spending 30-45 minutes on top gawking at the views, celebrating the milestone, and placing a few phone calls (it was my mother's birthday today - happy birthday again, Mom!) we were soon rushing down the mountain to escape the hordes of gnats that swarm you as soon as you stop moving.The remainder of the day consisted of gradual inclines and declines through places such as Rock Gap, Wallace Gap, and eventually Winding Stair Gap. The traveling was, once again, uphill and relatively level making the miles bearable for my knees. We couldn't have asked for better weather as highs climbed into the 70's. Rock Boat and I flip-flopped with Moosehead and Clementine throughout the day and, as is her style, Star Crunch silently appeared from the rear in the last quarter mile of hiking, scoring a ride with us into town via a shuttle in the process. Six of us (Rock Boat, Moosehead, General Burnsides, Star Crunch, Jeopardy, and myself) climbed into the free shuttle service provided by the Budget Inn in Franklin, NC. Zooming down the mountains into town, it was a unique experience traveling the distance that took us ~6 hours of hiking this morning only ~20 minutes by vehicle.The Budget Inn leaves a lot to be desired, but it's a little slice of Heaven on a hiker's budget. We quickly shed our clothes, showered (separately), and then Rock and I walked half a mile to Ingle's and purchased a few goods to last us a few days until our next resupply point. The menu today included: pb&j (together weighing just shy of 2.5lbs...oops), moon pies, granola bars, 2 rice mixtures, ibprofen, and a Gatarode that would be downed in the store parking lot.The crew of 6 walked into the nice downtown area, a street lined with quaint shops including a brewery, an Irish museum (which Moosehead found particularly interesting seeing that he wears a kilt), a bookstore, a custome-made jewelry shop, a gem museum, and an outfitters store, Outdoor 76, which had it's on small room with a selection of local NC brews. What better way to shop outdoor gear than with a cold beer in hand? I enjoyed a glass of Duckrabbit as we all hung around the store, exchanging stories, listening to Double Back play the guitar (one of her much-appreciated talents on the trail along with singing), and grabbing a few pictures. General Burnsides did his best at pretending not to be drunk after 1 beer. We then walked across town to a Mexican restaurant called Mi Casa where we spent over an hour diving into endless chips with salsa and queso, our entrees, and several maragaritas. Food was excellent, the convo even better.As we began our walk back to our hotel, we randomly ran into Fiddler, Air Lock, and Cherokee who are staying at another hotel for their zero's tomorrow. Even a couple days without seeing hiking companions seems like a long time. Friendships are a fragile thing on the trail - you never know if the person you meet will be around for 10 minutes, a few days, or if you'll run into them months from now. I've been fortunate enough to share time with this group so far on the trail and every day is a treat. Star Crunch and Double Back, along with Fiddler, Air Lock, and Cherokee as already mentioned, are all taking zero's tomorrow as Rock Boat, Moosehead, General Burnsides, Jeopardy, and me continue on. We expect to run into them again in the future - maybe a few days or a week - but the uncertainty keeps the relationships fresh.We all stopped and grabbed a few beers on the way back. Moosehead, in a random act of awesome, bought a lottery ticket and promised 2 boys in front of him that he'd split the winnings with them if he won anything. Unfortunately he didn't win anything, but watching him interact with the boys, who were more than happy to participate, just helped show the genuine cool side of the type of people you'll find out here.After returning to the hotel, we all found some chairs and set up shop in a little grassy knoll area tucked away behind the hotel. The beer went down easy as we all got lost in good music and good convo. We were able to find out a little of why each of us were out here trying to do what most people have no desire in even attempting. It's currently just after 11pm and we've all since retired to our rooms. Rock Boat is nearby watching Sports Center and talking with his wife. The morning will come soon as we'll need to be up by 6-6:30am. It's tradition for a local church to treat hikers to an all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes and bacon. For free they will pick us up, spoil us in food, and return us to hotel before we head back into the mountains.Tomorrow should be anywhere from 11-16 miles and the weather calls for rain. The breakfast should definitely boost what may ultimately end up being a spirit-soaked day. The kindness of people may truly be the one thing that can stand face-to-face with Mother Nature and put up one hell of a fight.