The next day was to be our biggest mile day yet of 12 and a big portion of it was downhill. Some would think that downhill is great, but in the hikers world we would rather have uphill then down. This is because of most humans weakest bodypart...the knees. When you go down mountains there can be large angular steps and small rocks that roll under your feet and slick roots that twist the ankles funny. With 11 miles downhill and a lot of pressure on the knees it was a very painful day.
I caught up to Marly which never happens because one of her knees was really hurting. I gave her my knee brace because mine were holding up at the time. We finally got one big uphill and found a man named Tater handing out sodas on top of the big hill. It was only 11:30 and had 6 miles left. It should have been really easy, but those downhills caught up to my body and the pain in my left IT band and knee was intense. Some weekend day hikers passed me limping down the mountain and asked if I was alright. They were so kind and gave me a whole bottle of IB proffen and an ace bandage. They even offered to carry my pack down the hill to the next gap. I couldn't let them do that but I took the painkillers and ace bandage.
I did make it down the mountain and Marly was waiting so patiently for me. We then hiked 1.1 more miles to the next campsite on a beautiful mountain. It was a bit windy but we managed not to blow away.
Day 9 we got to cross our first border!!! Back in my home state of NC goodbye Georgia. It was not a bad hike to the border of about 8.5 miles but I did go really slow to not push my leg. Marly waited for me at the border and we took some good pictures. After that only 3 miles to the shelter, but 2 very steep hills to climb to get there. 12.5 miles that day!
We have been making some great friends along the trail and a lot of then were there that night. We make fires every night and have been having some great times around the fires.
Day 11 the plan was to hike 8.5 and then 7.5 the next day into Franklin, NC. But all of out friends were doing 12.1 to Rock gap and then 3 ish the next morning. So we changed our plans which turned out to be great!
This day we climbed up the intense peak of Albert Mt and at the top was our 100 mile marker!!! We hung out on the top for a while 1 because of the great view and 2 because these nice spring break hikers gave us food! We made bagels with tomato sauce and cheese slices and salami for the meat eaters. What an awesome lunch! The 6 miles down to the next shelter were not too bad but the knees started to hurt toward the end of the day.
It was the warmest night yet on the trail and all we had to do was hike 3.5 to Winding stair gap (which didn't actually have any winding stairs...). It was raining a little but at least it was warm. We got up early and started to hike in order to make the 11 free shuttle to the Budget Inn. When I arrived (last of the group) all my hiking buddy's were missing. Turns out they were sitting on the shuttle bus waiting for me. I got there at about 9:45 and the 9 bus had stopped for my friends who arrived before me and the bus was fine waiting for me to arrive too!
What a nice shuttle bus driver! When we got to the Budget Inn we ran into some of our other hiking friends who are a day ahead of us! It was such a wonderful reunion and we were so glad we got to see then again.
It has been an interesting community of people on the trail. Everyone is so nice and you are instant friends. You end up spending 2 or 3 nights with the same people and you feel like best friends. You hike and cook and sleep with the same people and get really close really quick. It doesn't matter how much you really know about them because you know what you have shared together. I have learned and gained so much already from the folks around me on the trail and we are only on day 13. I can't imagine what I will learn in the next weeks to come and I am stoked to find out!
Next adventure is the Smokies! Can't wait to see what these beautiful mountains will bring us!
Chels! It is so much fun to hear about all of this! Wow the friends, the moments of breathtaking beauty, the sore knees, the patience. Just wow! I'm thinking about you! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
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