Date: 2018-03-22
From: Betty Creek Campsites

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

On Thursday morning we woke up to still bone chilling temps. The weather was expected to shape up during the day and the winds had died down dramatically overnight. The sun was trying it's best to poke through!Rob, Samesies and I packed our bags quick and took off. We didn't filter water, barely ate anything and just hoped for the best. We had to climb up and over Albert Mountain in order to reach a gap 10 miles from Franklin where I had planned to catch a shuttle around 11:30 to the hostel I had reserved. We began the straight and tough climb in the snow and ice. This was a beautiful mountain and even with the miserable conditions yesterday we were lucky enough to get great views and reasonably bearable conditions this morning. We trudged up the mountain "breaking" trail. Snow hadn't accumulated too much but it was still tough climbing over ice and snow without the proper equipment. The climb up was a quick 2.5miles but steep. On top we took in the views from a fire tower that still stands then quickly moved on once we began getting cold. We had about 6.5 miles left until the gap and that's all we could think about. We made excellent time going almost 4mph downhill. The miles went quick as the downhill was fairly steady. We didn't see any other hikers until closer to the gap where a few had stayed in the shelter overnight. Everyone seemed to group up, at least for the storm, just to stay safe. This was unlike normal when most hikers preferred to hike alone. They were aiming for Franklin as well. By 10:30 we had reached the bottom and were planning on waiting an hour or so for a shuttle into town. However, just as we had arrived, a pickup truck pulled into the parking lot. We heard someone say, "need a ride into town?" This was magical. The two people, John and Linda, happened to pull up at the exact time we needed it. Now if any of you managed to read my guest book attached to this journal, you may have seen Linda mention she lives in Franklin and would happily give me a ride once I arrived. I hadn't contacted her and hadn't updated any journal entries yet but by nothing slight of a miracle, they happened to be at the gap when we needed it most. You can't make this sort of thing up! Thank you so much to John and Linda. You guys are angels and the warm coffee and doughnuts they provided us during our ride were icing on the cake. Incredible!John and Linda drove us right to the hostel I had reserved. We arrived as many hikers were leaving after having waited out the storm. Even then, the hostel only had one spot for myself so Samesies and Rob found an opening at a different hostel. We said a quick goodbye and vowed to go grab some food in a few hours after a shower and rest. What great humans! John, Linda, Rob and Samesies!I got comfortable at the hostel meeting a few other hikers and one from NH! The only other hiker I had known from NH was Chef Gordan Ramsey so it was nice to know others were around. I took a quick shower, updated the family and began drying things out. The storm had blocked any access for me to contact home either by phone or GPS so it was comforting to let everyone know I was safe and warm.Samesies, Rob and I met for a few beers at the lazy hiker brewery. From there we went next door for a bite to eat at a cheap diner. They gave us a free sundae just for being thru hikers! We milled about the quaint town of Franklin stopping at the outfitter and trying not to spend all our money. We had a few more drinks at a bar attached to the outfitter! What a wonderful idea! Then I made it back to my hostel by 6 and began journaling and taking care of chores. I ran to Domino's for a $7.99 large three topping pizza for dinner and wolfed down much of it! Man was I hungry. The guys at the hostel were nice and we stayed quiet and went to bed early in the grand scheme of things (around 9pm) but late to hiker standards. A nice warm bunk and mattress was just what I needed. The plan was to go to a free all you can eat pancake breakfast held in town the next morning. The church in town does this every morning for a full month for free including a shuttle to the church! Such wonderful people!P.S: I'm attempting to do these journals on my phone. Typing is hard so I apologise for grammatical errors especially when my phone attempts to auto correct were to we're!I will do my best to update the journal at least once a week. It's impossible for me to update in the woods mainly because of phone battery life. My priority for my phone while in between towns is to contact home and to take pictures so unfortunately journaling is not top priority but I do enjoy it just as much as many of you do! Thanks for the support everyone has given me! It means a lot. Today (3/23) I am taking a zero day in Franklin resupplying food, resting and enjoying. I managed to pass 100 miles into the trail on the downhill from Albert Mountain and none of us even realized until we got to town! So pumped! Rain is in the forecast pretty much every day for the next week but I will push on! I will post one more quick journal entry for todays happening tonight before heading back out! Thanks!