Date: 2005-04-14
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Nolichucky River (Erwin TN)
Miles today: 16.9

DAY 34Last night was cold! When I woke up in the middle of the night, my sleeping bag was wet from snow blowing into the shelter. There wasn¢t much I could do about it, but curl up, with the knowledge that tomorrow night I would be indoors in Erwin, Tennessee. Unbeknownst to me Michigan came into the shelter while I asleep. He must have had a struggle getting here in the dark, snow, and cold. I haven¢t seen him since my Zero Day in Hot Springs. Another ¢old guy¢ in the shelter. The Tennessee morning dawned bright and clear. What a contrast from last night! It was going to be a nice day for the mostly downhill walk of 16.9 miles into Erwin. About two miles before the Trail reaches the Nolichucky River, there is an overlook into the town of Erwin, 2000 feet below. It looked like the town is directly underneath, but there was still a long steep descent ahead. The quiet of the wilderness was replaced by the sounds of traffic and a railroad. I saw no one during today¢s walk except for an older woman out for a day hike. She was struggling with a minor injury and moving slowly downhill. She declined my offer of help, but asked me to let her brother know she was on her way down, but it would be a while before she would reach the road. Her older brother was waiting at the road crossing below with a car. So I continued down the mountain and eventually reached River Road at the Nolichucky River. The woman¢s brother was waiting at the road, but he was not in any physical shape to go up and help her down. I let him know the circumstances with his sister. I asked if he wanted me to go back up and assist her but he didn¢t think it was necessary. I hope they both are okay.Uncle Johnny¢s Nolichucky Hostel is located right at the Trail crossing of the road at the River. I stopped in to look at the hostel and perhaps stay there. However, I decided quickly that I wanted something a bit more upscale after five day¢s of hiking. (¢Why stay in a hostel, if you can stay in a hotel?¢) I walked back to the road and tried figure out how to get to the Holiday Inn Express which was somewhere in the vicinity. As I stood there contemplating, a car came by and stopped. The driver offered me a ride without me asking, and I was quickly whisked to the Holiday Inn Express, about three-quarter mile from the Trail.            I checked into the very hiker friendly Holiday Inn Express. As a hiker, I receive a free pint of Ben & Jerry¢s, along with a very attractive rate for a nice room. I get a free continental breakfast tomorrow morning as well. There are other hikers here as well: Jersey Jones, Larry and Matt, Jersey Judge and Acronym. I have spent the afternoon cleaning up, doing laundry, and soaking my sore legs and feet in the pool. The long downhills today, with net drop of 3400 feet, have battered my legs and feet.With the cleanup work done, it was time to think about dinner. There is a Long John Silver fast food place next to hotel along with a gas station convenience store. Dinner tonight was the Grease Spot Special: fried fish, french fries, and an equally fat and calorie laden dessert. I also picked up a few items at the convenience store to tide me though to my next town stop, which is at US Route 19E, about fifty miles ahead.I want to spend tomorrow night at Miss Janet¢s House, in Erwin, Tennessee. ¢Miss Janet¢ is another of those Trail institutions I have wanted to meet. The problem is I haven¢t figured out how to get to Miss Janet¢s House. So right now, I don¢t know exactly what I will be doing tomorrow. I definitely plan to hike tomorrow.