Singing in the Rain

· Travel

Singing in the Rain

Day 27; Mile 341.

It's been quite an eventful week. I hiked down out of the Smokies to perfect weather and great views, coming into Hot Springs, NC on Tuesday after a 26 mile day. In the last mile or so I saw my first rattlesnake, right on the path. it gave me quite a fright! Hot Springs itself is a beautiful, sleepy little town reminiscent of places along Route 62 in SA. It also provided me with my first cappuccino on the trail.

Moving on from there I walked two 20 mile days to reach Sams Gap early Saturday morning. There I was picked up by Marius, a friend from highschool, who'd driven down from Raleigh to visit me. We went to Asheville for the day, and explored its downtown area. It's a really lovely city - something between Kloof Street and Woodstock - and it was great to be back in proper civilisation. It was a strong indicator of the degree to which I've become a city person.

Marius dropped me back on the Trail Sunday morning, and I set of to cover the 24 miles to Erwin. An afternoon thundershower initially made for wonderful hiking - cool rain, thunder rumbling overhead, green all around - and I couldn't help but sing as I walked. It started properly pouring, though, and when I got to the next shelter I waited out the worst of it there. When I got to the hotel in the evening most of my stuff was somewhat damp, including my passport, so I spent some time cleaning and drying everything.

Today I head out again. Hopefully I'll make Damascus, VA by the weekend.

Enjoying a last beer with Buffalo Joe Enjoying a last beer with Buffalo Joe at the motel in Gatlinburg (he was only hiking as far as Hot Springs).

Catching a ride on the back of a pickup Catching a very cold ride back to the trail on the back of a pickup. I had shared a room with Heat Miser, on the left.

Spotted outside a hiker hostel Spotted outside a hiker hostel.

Beer and a burger in Hot Springs Enjoying a beer and a burger at a tavern in Hot Springs.

The ArtiSun gallery in Hot Springs The ArtiSun gallery in Hot Springs, where I got my first cappuccino :-)

Trail Magic My first Trail Magic - kindly strangers leaving things for hungry hikers to enjoy.

Trees fighting back Trees fighting back...

Good advice Good advice: "Go everywhere, Study everything, Fear nothing"

Tea Room in Asheville An awesome Tea Room in Asheville where we drank an Oolong tea specifically good when starting solitary journeys or climbing mountains.