Date: 2015-04-21
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Today we got back into the Smokies and they were apparently happy to have us back because it was a spectacular day. After checking out of the motel and saying goodbye to Cherokee's friends at the front desk, we went to the all-you-can-eat (ayce) breakfast buffet a couple of blocks over. We had scoped it out the night before to make sure it wasn't some sort of rip -off and it looked good. We got there as soon as it opened (along with at least 6 other non-hiker tourists) and it did not disappoint. I still don't feel like hiker hunger has really kicked in but I did have three plates of food, so.... I had 2 pieces of French toast, three pancakes (stroopwafel size so it sounds like more than it was) two pieces of smoked sausage ( really good but weird to eat for breakfast) some bacon, some potato with onion and a ton of fruit. It was goooood. And it was a good thing we got a good breakfast because we got a very late start hiking.We thought we had arranged a shuttle but it didn't work as planned (it's becoming a theme). Eventually we did manage to get the shuttle, after many phone calls and an hour later than planned. But I feel we can't complain about the hassles because it used to be that you could only hitch hike and that has to be more trouble than shuttles.By the time we were back at Newfound Gap and ready to hike, it was 11:40. The gap looked very different in the sun than it did 2 days ago!As per usual, the first part out of the gap was up. And right away, it was great. It was windy and cool but pretty great for hiking and the trail was in surprisingly good shape. There was barely any mud all day! I was really surprised that there was no more mud given how horrendously bad the trail had been only two days ago, but aside from some minor spots, the trail was in quite excellent condition. Go figure but I don't complain.And the views! In my awol guide, I had counted no fewer than nine (nine!) views between the gap and our destination for the day and today the trail delivered! The most spectacular was probably at Charlie's Bunion, which have panoramic views to the west. I tried to use the panoramic feature of the phone camera, we'll see how that worked out. And then a little bit later we had views to the east that were just as splendiferous. For the rest of the afternoon (the clear and sunny afternoon!) we walked that ridge with alternating west and east views of the same valley from different points along the ridge. I think I took more pictures today than in the past 6 or 7 days combined.The shelter we were aiming for was again far off the trail and when I got here, it was empty. A major change from earlier when things were always crowded. Now, a couple of hours later, the shelter is full and some people are tenting. It promises to be quite cold so I'm happy to be inside (such as it is) with 12 other warm bodies.When I told Cherokee the other day that I had been in my sleeping bag with all my clothes and still was cold, he offered me a sweater he was about to ship home. It is fairly heavy and pretty bulky but right now I am very happy to have it. It think it will be an all clothes kind of night again. We are at 5555 ft and the temperature is supposed to get down to the mid thirties. It's 7:24 and already I can see   my breath. It's going to be hard to get out of the bag tomorrow morning! We only have 13 miles planned so at least there is no rush.Today was a good day. I may consider giving the Smokies another chance. But they better play nice tomorrow too!Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?