Date: 2018-05-21
From: Whitetop Mountain Road

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 47- Whitetop Mtn Rd (492mi) to Thomas Knob Shelter (498.4mi) It was hard leaving the comfort of the cabin, but everyone was really good about getting themselves organized and in the car to leave. Broken Seal and Ellen whipped up some delicious eggs with avocado and toast- very hipster! Benny was pretty adorable as we were leaving. He didn¢t realize he only had to pick us up tomorrow, not drop us off too. So he was all dressed and ready to go; instead he got to enjoy the solitude at the cabin. On our way to the trailhead, we went to the PO and I picked up an awesome letter from my cousin Laura. It was filled with glitter (like always) and was a true gift to receive! We returned to the point where we skipped ahead at Whitetop Mountain Rd. We could see the thunderhead clouds growing as we started and soon it was raining. By raining, I mean capital R-aining!!! Other than the five miles we hiked with Ellen and Big Mac on Wednesday last week, this rain put every other rain storm to shame! Most people would have had soggy moods but our parents really stepped up to the plate and were absolute rockstars! Big Mac has backpacked a lot before and knew how to cope. Still, he pointed out most people would call us crazy with the ankle deep water and thunder clapping around us. Ellen on the other hand has only a little backpacking experience and didn¢t let any of the weather or slippery rocks and roots damper her spirits. Honestly, it was impressive!It was a great feeling to reach the Thomas Knob shelter! There was a crowd there but we had a feeling most people were just lingering and would keep hiking on as it was only 2pm when we arrived. We were the first to set up and claim our floor space on the lower level. We¢d been able to keep our gear dry and changed into some of those layers before sitting on the floor to eat the regular tuna burritos. Ellen had yucked the tuna idea when shopping but she wanted the hiker experience and enjoyed the burritos too! Everything tastes better in the woods!The three of them put dry clothes on while I stubbornly was hanging out in my dry puffy for the upper half and kept all my wet clothes on my lower half. With everyone leaving Trail Days in Damascus, it made good people watching as a variety of groups passed through the shelter. As the clouds parted later in the day, we hung a bunch of our clothes in the trees branches to give them the opportunity to slightly dry. From behind the shelter, there was a terrific view of Mt. Rogers on our right, a long ridge extending out to the left, and then layers of mountains straight out across the bushy meadow. We spent a lot of time at that view feeling extremely grateful.Our parents continued to impress us when they finished their whole Knorr Rice Sides with instant mash potatoes. It was washed down with some hot cocoa. After settling down for the night, we were the last people to fit our food and smellies into the temporary bear box. Thank goodness!! It was a close race to la la land between Big Mac and Ellen with Broken Seal and I trailing behind. We are sad tonight is our last night with them but it is inevitable and this not bad way to wrap it up!