Date: 2018-05-06
From: Garenflo Gap 

To: Hurricane Gap 
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

I slept in late again this morning hoping to let the rain pass. It was still cloudy, but no rain when I finally got started about 11:45am. There was a shuttle taking us from Garenflo Gap to Hot Springs NC. because of the fire. I chose to take the Papa Big Swig shuttle instead. We made a quick pit stop at Bluff Mountain Outfitters. I was thrilled to see a large selection of Dirty Girl Gators. No more dirt and pebbles in my trail runners!  Buying my Dirty Girls made me think of Daddy Shakira. He¢s the one who first introduced me to them. I had planned to text him this evening. It¢s strange how things happen, because as soon as I turned my phone on after hiking there was a message from him. He bought his plane ticket for Damascus today. I really do look forward to seeing my original Tramily. It¢s been a while. Just as I got myself ready to start walking, the rains came again. I put on my raincoat and left out from the southern most point of Hot Springs. I followed trail signs right down the center of town. It¢s a very small town, but the community really serves us hikers well. The signs led across a bridge over French Broad River. I hopped onto the real trail there. It runs parallel to the river for about a quarter of a mile or so. The river made me wish I had my kayak with me. She was a swift river with a few small rapids. So inviting!  About 30 minutes into the woods the rain quit falling...never to return. That was a gift! Seylor hiked with me again today. She doesn¢t mind her wet dog smell, but I sure do!  There were several tents set up along the river. A few folks had their dogs tenting with them. Seylor doesn¢t always do well with other dogs, but surprised me today and did just fine.  There were also two big signs posted near the river protesting a pipeline being considered in Virginia.  I¢m understanding that if the pipeline goes in it wil affect the A.T.  I need to do some research on this.   My first climb was up and away from the river.  It was a never ending doozy! Nothing too bad came after that though. I ran into two thru-hikers up there at Lovers Leap. They were Danimal and Jess. We had some quick chit chat and covered for each other to potty. I took a couple of photos up there. Today¢s featured photo is of French Broad River from Lovers Leap.  Shortly after lovers leap the terrain changed. The path became wide and oftentimes was soft with fallen pine needles. There was a mild fragrance of pine in the air too. Those things combined made for a pleasant hike.  Shortly I came upon a dam wall. I hiked up the hill to find it was holding back a small pond. To this minute I don¢t see a benefit from holding that water back. But anyway, Seylor immediately decided that pond was her swimming pool. So much for no more wet dog smell!  We hiked on and the trail turned into a grassy field. Eventually I walked on a dirt road up around and through the field for about a half mile. This area used to be tobacco and hay fields. The Forest Service purchased it in 1970 and now it¢s a brood area for turkeys and grouse. I see and hear a lot of turkeys and grouse every day. I guess the brood area is working! The space really was beautiful to see, but all I could smell were ramps. Ramps are wild onions, and they are pungent! I had a nice wide path most of the rest of the day. When I had about 2 miles left I met a couple of day hikers who had seen a bear in the exact area I was heading to. It didn¢t even rattle me. I made sure my mace was accessible, and I hiked on yoyo-ing all the way! I never did see a bear.  When I made it to Hurricane Gap I waited about 5 minutes and Papa Big Swig arrived with my chariot. He had made ham and beans in the crockpot for dinner. My belly is full and my heart is happy! I¢m one lucky girl! I¢ll be getting my big pack ready tonight, because tomorrow I¢m setting out for a few days.Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?