Date: 2018-04-17
From: Tellico Gap 

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center 
Miles today: 7.9

Instead of fixing breakfast in our camper this morning we chose to try the campground lodge restaurant. This was the best decision of the day! As we were walking in guess who was getting ready to walk out? Daddy Shakira and Flower Boy! There they were standing right in front of me. TRAMILY!!!!! Yes yes yes! I only had time for a quick hug and a selfie, but it was great seeing them! I was happy that Papa Big Swig finally got to meet them too. Breakfast for me was an order of pancakes and bacon with an extra side of bacon. Yes, I ate all of the bacon! The pancakes were more than I could eat though. 3 giant multigrain pancakes smothered in butter and syrup were promptly shared with Papa Big Swig, and I still left a portion on the plate.  My hike started at Tellico Gap. A Gap always means... going up!  Elevation was 3859ft. It¢s certainly not the highest, but still a decent climb. However, I¢m noticing these climbs aren¢t draining me like they used to. It¢s really happening, I¢m getting my hiker legs! It was a short hike today so I just moseyed along enjoying my time in the mountains. There was still some snow at the tops, but the trail was clear and surprisingly dry. The sun was actually hot up there. I got all the way down to a sleeveless shirt today. What a drastic change from yesterday! The breeze was gently blowing and it all just balanced out to perfect hiking weather.  There were several spectacular views today. Above is a photo of just one of them. As dad would say, ¢this is God¢s country sis¢. Some of the views are better than others, but there¢s no such thing as a bad view, because this IS God¢s country. I¢m still tending to my feet every couple of hours. Except yesterday was way too cold and wet. Somewhere around 1pm I came across a nice boulder to sit on, so I took off my shoes and socks, grabbed my trail mix and soaked in some splendor. About that time a southbound hiker showed up. I recognized him to be one of the hikers we had given a ride to yesterday. He remembered me right away as well and said ¢Hey there Blue Raccoon¢. It¢s funny how folks start knowing you by your trail name. Turns out he was doing a flip flop today so he could go back and check on his hiking partner this evening. Last night was bitter cold with lots of wind and snow and his buddy ended up with hypothermia. It happens frequently. I¢m still so thankful to be slack packing a few more days. Sleeping in the warm camper is a gift. Today¢s hike ended at the Nantahala Outdoor Center where Orlando had arrived about 30 minutes earlier. We start together and end together, but we each hike our own hike out there. The N.O.C. is a milestone on the A.T. It¢s basically an outfitter on the trail, but they are right on the river and offer kayak rentals, lodging, a general store and more. I signed the thru-hiker book and read for a minute to see who had been there before me. It¢s just a hiker thing to say you¢ve been to the N.O.C. Papa Big Swig was there to get us at 4:30pm sharp. He did a little trail magic for another hiker before taking us back to the camper.  It was turkey burgers cooked on the foreman grill with potato salad for supper. Then a cream cheese frosted brownie for dessert. Compliments of Papa Big Swig. He¢s spoiling us!  Tomorrow I will put my boots back on. In closing I want to wish my granddaughter Lucie a very happy 6th birthday! I love you little princess!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?