First off let me apologize for my last post I will go back through and spell check it again. I didn't have enough time or battery to worry about it when I sent it off initially. Said problem will be history post haste.
My initial plan for April fools day was to write a fake report about my surviving a vicious attack and or capture by rednecks. I had anything but a "deliverance" experience on the first.
Because I am behind a few days I am gonna do a crash course on each day day and then make some individual posts with pictures and then other off topic random shenanigans.
4/1
Beautiful weather accompanied by a trip into Franklin, NC (hey, it's Franklin..).
Stopped at outdoor 76(kick ass outfitters) for a replacement pair of socks. Ran into a few friend ps replacing gear and getting new shoes. Outdoor 76 has bar inside of store with beer on draft. I enjoy a cold one while my friends make their purchases. When we complete our business there we make a trip to the grocery store getting a ride from a gentleman who calls himself "intents". Intents chauffeurs us around town for the afternoon collecting all supplies we need and even helping my hiker friends make a hiker box to send forward. This kind trail angel then treats us to lunch at huddle house. He drops us back off at the trail head after a delicious lunch that he pays for. I tried to give him some money but he refused to accept. While checking my data book, intents notices I have the lesser of the guide books. Before he pulls away he hands me the much better 2014 thru hiker northbound guide.
This is by far my favorite trail magic moment I have encountered. Intents drives away and I am off to my next shelter.
4/2-4/3
These 2 days are spent with a small group of hikers I have travelled at similar pace with. All of us hike at different speeds but always end up in the same place. On the 2nd, we hike past a shelter completely overrun with flies of some sort. We hike down the trail looking for a bald or an open campsite. We settle on making a rogue campsite off the path that seems to have been used only once before. The campsite is chosen in hopes that the sunrise will come up right in front of us. The morning of the 3rd is cloudy. My alarm to wake me up for the sunrise is quickly silenced and after peeking my head out my tent I realize that there will be no majestic sunrise on this day. Back to bed.. We a all sleep for a few more hours and then it's off to Nantahala. We all plan to rest and recoup there for the day as our little group will be splitting up. One of us is going to the casino, another is staying for a hiker festival in Nantahala, and the rest will be moving along. W get to NOC (Nantahala outdoor center) just after noon and take the rest of the he day to enjoy the beautiful sun the cool river passing by and a few drinks. This is the ultimate hiker spot. The general store sells beer and wine and as all the hikers file into town, we all end up sitting together watching kayakers pass by. We exchange stories of weather endured and wildlife seen. The main topic no matter where you go among hikers is always gear.
What worked and what didn't. What was replaced and how much weight was dropped. The collection of good times endures the entire afternoon and even into the night as the sun drops. I get my shower and a hostel bunk. This is my favorite stop thus far. This little hiker stop is clean and beautiful, full of pleasant hikers and tourists. The night wears on and we all crash after hours of just relaxing, something none of us have done since the beginning of this trip.
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