There hasn’t been much service recently so day 14 and day 15 are coming out today!

Mr Seaton dropped me off at the parking lot this morning where he had picked us up yesterday. “You sure you don’t want another honey bun?” He asked as I hopped out. He seemed a bit disappointed when I said no, but was willing to settle for giving me a banana. 

I said hey to the few hikers that were sitting there, all of whom let me know they were just waiting around for the trail magic to start all over again. I broke the bad news that they’d have to wait til at least 10:30 when the Seatons brought McKay back after breakfast.

One of the hikers was Sunshine. I told her that I had actually run into a friend of hers from home the other day – Jackie. She had given me a soda, 2 oranges and a banana that were earmarked for Sunshine. When Jackie couldnt find her, she had given them to me. “Oh my god, I completely forgot to respond to her text! I’m so glad she at least gave them to you but man, do I feel bad.” I guess Jackie was out just wandering the woods looking for Sunshine while sunshine ignored her texts. I let her know it made my day at least and Sunshine and I posed for a quick picture to send to Jackie. 

I left the group and got back on the trail – the first mile of which was a paved road. It felt weird to be walking along pavement, clicking and clacking my poles as cars drove by. But it was just a quick detour, I soon found myself turning off into the woods and climbing high into the smokies. 

By the first step uphill I was questioning everything I did yesterday. Being a bit intimidated by the stories I had heard of the smokies, I had resupplied a lot of food. When McKay picked up my bag this morning he couldn’t hide the shock of how heavy it was. And as I started to climb, I felt every pound. There must have been close to 45 pounds sitting on my back. At least 4 pounds of which was probably peanut butter. 

But with no other options, I climbed. Watching the dam fall away further and further behind me.  It wasn’t a steep climb, but it was long. For the first 6 or so miles, the trail seemed to always be going up. I passed group after group sitting on the side of the trail, chugging water, catching their breath, or just generally looking defeated.

I caught up to Cosmo. “Are you going up to the fire tower?” She asked, referring to a tower at the top of the climb that is known for having one of the best views of the whole trail. When I told her I was, we walked together a bit until it was time to drop our packs and climb the thing. 

When I say the tower was terrifying, I mean it was TERRIFYING. The whole structure shook with every step up the 75 or so feet to the top. And when I finally made it to the top, the floor of the tower itself looked rotted out. I’m not usually scared of heights, but I politely told Cosmo to get the hell out of my way because I needed to get down as quick as I could. The view was incredible, but I valued my life more than the vista beyond. 

The rest of the day passed fairly uneventfully. The once hot day turned to a cool afternoon as I climbed higher and higher into the mountains. As I came over one ridge I couldn’t hold in my surprise. “Holy shit” I cried out to no one in particular. The whole ground was covered in a blanket of white spring flowers. The growth was so dense it looked like a fresh snow had just fallen.

I was exhausted by the time I made it to camp. And was surprised to see McKay roll in not 10 minutes after me. He must have been flying up that hill! 

Dinner was more dehydrated food while sitting with Milkshake, Ratatouille, Salt Daddy, Jack Rabbit and bunch of other names that sound pretty odd. 

In the smokies you have to stay in the shelter because it makes it easier for the bears to know where to find you. So I’m writing this from a fully filled 12 person shelter. Ready for the chorus of snores to begin. 

Key stats:

Miles 18

Elevation gained: 5,400

What I’m most thankful for: most of us shelter dwellers got a shower yesterday