There was the soft sound of rain on my rain fly this morning when I woke up. It was soothing and I rolled over and went back to sleep. I woke up to the sound again, but this time I remembered what I had done. I had listened to some stranger when he said it was supposed to be clear over night. I had left my bag sitting out, unprotected. 

I hopped out of my hammock, ripping the mesh a little, and retrieved my bag. Luckily, while the bag was wet, the inner line had done its job and all my clothes and gear were still dry (enough).

By that point there was no use trying to go back to sleep so I packed up and left. It was cold and wet (my least favorite combination) so I skipped breakfast and hit the road. I threw a few power bars in my pocket figuring those would get me through the 13 miles to Erwin. 

After the first few miles, the day cleared up. The sun came out and shined down on me as I walked through the forest. I was the first out of our site and there weren’t any other sites nearby so I saw no one all day. Over each rise and as I descended each ridge, it was just me. It was lovely. 

The wind gusted over each ridge – threatening to blow my hat off and making the trees sway this way and that. Their creaking, while creepy in some ways, was a beautiful score to walk to.

The only negative of the day came when McKay texted. His foot is still acting up, he said. It looks like another day off for him is in the cards. the hope is when he makes it to town he can get a new pair of shoes and be back on track in no time flat.

I came into Erwin after 5 or so hours of hiking. It was crazy to say that after the last two 20+ mile days, the 13 I did today felt like an easy day. Almost a day off. I strolled into the hostel at 1pm, feeling fresh but ready for a shower and a microwaveable sausage, egg and cheese on pancakes (this post brought to you by Jimmy Dean’s breakfast sandwiches).

I spent 30 minutes restitching my hammock back together. A seamstress who just so happened to be hiking and staying at the hostel told me my handy work was “probably going to hold.” Thank you, 7th grade home ec!

The rest of the evening was spent running errands, eating fast food (a double cheese burger, large fry, large milkshake, and a beef burrito) and sitting around a campfire at the hostel. It was an interesting crew but still a good time.

Reunited with Salt Daddy and Jackrabbit, we drank the beer we had picked up in town and made plans for tomorrow. 

Key stats:

Miles: 13

Elevation gained: 2,100 ft

Mile marker: 344

Non smelly Jamies: still none. This stench never clears