Date: 2018-11-16
From: Spivey Gap

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 19.5

There was a fresh coating of snow on the ground when we arrived at the trail head at 6:35 just before sunrise. I was fueled with an egg McMuffin, hash browns and orange juice from McDonald's and ready to go. I stepped onto the trail and passed a sign confirming our hike today would be 19.5 miles and the forest was immediately beautiful around me. Crisp white snow was sprinkled on every tree and plant. The trail was defined by it. It was a chilly 24° but I was warm in my layers. We started the day with an ascent and as it progressed I found myself changing layers frequently. Largly it depended on what side of the mountain I was on as to wether or not I was putting layers on or taking them off. We stopped at 2 shelters today, both right on trail. At the No Business Knob shelter we made hot chocolate and I had a snack. It was around 10am. WE ate her sandwich but I was holding out. 5 miles later we hiked down a hill and into Erwin TN by the Nolichucky River. On the way we saw 2 hunters out looking for their bear dogs which had run off after a bear in NC towards TN. We stopped at the popular Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel at the bottom of the hill. The day had warmed nicely and the sun was shining so I enjoyed my sandwich on the deck at a sunny picnic table while WE enjoyed her snack and a Pepsi from the machine. Attached to Uncle Johnny's is a small outfitter. I got my passport stamped and purchased a nalgene bottle because I'd dropped my sport top bottle at the shelter and being so cold it broke. I haven't been carrying the smart water bottles I used to because the mouth is small and if I have to refill in the cold I may have to get my hands wet which could be a bad thing. So I was carrying 2 sport top 20oz wider mouth bottles from EMS. After we lingered a few minutes I filled my water at the sink, used the warm restroom and we headed off across the river and railroad tracks and back into the woods. It was different on this side of the mountain, warmer and with little snow. The mud appeared under the leaves again, or should I say hid under them. It took me by surprise and I went down with a thud whacking my right forearm on a rock and my right thigh on a root. Ouch! I stood and brushed off and when I caught up to WE reported my misfortune. We stopped again for a break at Curly Maple shelter, just long enough to eat a Luna bar and pee. From here the trail conditions became difficult. Being on the dark side of the mountain we encountered snow and ice where this time it was WE who went down. I heard the noise behind me and backtracked to be sure she was okay. She was sitting on the trail head dowsed in snow but with no visible injury and so I burst out laughing. I couldn't stop! Until she told me she'd hit her face on a rock and was afraid her nose was bleeding. Then I looked closely and still not seeing injury I laughed again. It's not really funny to fall. Injury can be severe but aside from bruised bodies we both escaped. I was tired and silly. We were both a bit silly for the rest of the hike making up a story about WE tripping me and in retaliation me punching her in the nose. When we got to the trail head where Lee was waiting we pretended to be mad and acted out or little skit as a gag for Lee. I did surprisingly well but WE couldn't hold back her laughter and when I looked at her I blew it but not before we had Lee in full belief. It was good fun but Lee vows to get us back when we least expect. At the camper Lee ran out for propane while WE and I took turns watching the dogs e taking showers at the bathhouse. WE cooked burgers for dinner and it was lights out soon after. It was a long day and I hope I sleep well because it's a 16 mile day tomorrow over Roan mountain. I spoke with Brian and our cat Billy still isn't well but after another trip to the vet and some more hydration he's improving.