Mar. 24
Last night's storm blew any remnant of warm weather far away from here. It was brrrly cold and windy when I began walking today. I always hike in my shorts but up top I had on my wool short sleeved shirt, arm warmers, hat, and my rain coat with hood cinched around my chin to keep me warm. I should have put my gloves on as well as I kept having to tuck my hiking poles under my arm to hide my hands in the sleeves of my coat for warmth. The trail was strewn with debris today from the storm. I stopped a hundred times at least to move branches off the treadway to make walking easier for other hikers. In a few cases there were huge hardwood trees across the trail that I had to detour around. Glad I wasn't out there last night!
Shortly before noon I reached Fontana Dam and decided to hitch a ride to Gatlinburg, TN for a day's rest to recover from some health issues. If it's pouring rain tomorrow, as the forecast seems to indicate, they I'll spend another day here in the real Gatlinburg of the south. I'm not going to break my rule again: "Never walk out of town in the rain." I'll let you all know what my cultural studies investigations reveal here in the honeymoon capital of the south.
It is very satisfying to have reached the Smokies already and to have the legs feeling good. There are still lots of challenging hills left in NC/Tennessee but I feel I can make the climbs and descents without too much trouble.
Mileage to date : 164.4
I’ve had to trade in my C Tire pom-poms for an industrial strength pair. Give me a “B”.......Keep on trekking. Look after yourself!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot harder to leave in the rain than it is to be out there and it starts to rain. Wrestle yourself a bear and make a pair pants. Either that or 100 squirels.
ReplyDeleteStay warm stay dry bro.