I left the Bald Mt. Shelter this morning all bundled up against the cold, the trail completely covered in ice and snow. Fortunately, I began the day at my highest daily elevation so things were going to warm up nicely as the day found its way. By 10:00 I could took off my gloves and coat. By 11:00 the arm warmers were off. At 11:30 my hat was off and sweat was dripping from my brow. At 1:00 I reached the town of Erwin where the temperature was an uncomfortably hot 84 degrees. Who is in charge of the thermostat around here?
There were exactly zero hikers on the trail today. What an amazing change from just a few days ago when the shelters were full with people tenting all around.
Once in Erwin I set about doing my town chores. First, do the laundry so that I'm presentable when I go out. Then review the food requirements to get to the next re-supply point. Then it was time to find a grocery store. Erwin itself is a small town that is spread all over hell's half acre. The walk from my hotel to the nearest grocery store was over a mile. As I walked there in the heat I got to wondering if there was any easier way to get back than walking with my arms full of groceries. Hmm, what's that, a pizza place across from the grocery store. That gives me an idea.
The conversation in the pizza place was as follows:
"Do you have delivery service to the Erwin hotel?"
"Yes we do"
"If I ordered a pizza, ran over to get my groceries, and came right back, would the delivery guy take me and my pizza back to the hotel?"
"Sure"
"I'll take a medium with pineapple, tomato and mushroom and I'll be back in 10 minutes."
Any way to save a few steps.
Mileage to date = 339.9
“...wise in the use of all resources.”
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