Falling behind

It's been a pretty tough day, but it's hard for me to complain too much with so many sick people around. Of course I happened to be one of those people last night. I woke up 3 times to get sick, thankfully not in my tent. Please, oh please, never in my tent.
By morning my stomach had mostly settled, but I got no sleep and was now severely dehydrated. I went back to sleep after a small breakfast and some water. I woke at 11am and everyone had left camp except for Waldo, who had also gotten sick last night as well.
Before I could pack up Merry and Sweet & Sour walked by, Merry also just starting to feel ill.
I set out at noon with little hope of catching up to Mr. Fantastic. I fumbled my way down the mountain, which was actually quite an easy hike, only to miss my turn and waste time and energy. I added about 1.5 miles to my hike, and wasted 45 minutes. Backtracking up the mountain I finally found the correct path. I decided to aim for the first shelter, 5.4 miles from my last shelter, and see how I felt.
I stopped at the empty shelter for a long rest, and brief snack. My stomach still didn't want too much food, but I kept hydrating. After staying long enough to feel bored and a little bit energetic, I set out again. I just planned for 2 more miles to the next shelter, as it was already 4:30pm. Once I made it to the side trail, going the wrong way twice, I added another mile to my wasted energy.
I had heard good things about this shelter, and had even seen pictures of it online before I came out here. It's a repurposed barn that can hold 20 people. Add onto that the absolutely spectacular view from the bunk (can't wait for sunrise!), and a lady who brought some trail magic, and you have the makings for a great evening.
My neighbors on the sleeping platform are a father and daughter with 3 dogs. On the next platform over is Merry and Sweet & Sour, Merry feeling worse. Upstairs is a cavalcade of elderly war story telling gentlemen, as well as Waldo, who is also feeling slowly better.
Our trail magic for the evening was a cooler with Pepsi and beer, as well as a trash bag to dump our extra trash weight. Little things become big things out here.
I'm 6 miles shy of Mr. Fantastic, if he hiked to where we discussed. Tomorrow was supposed to be a quick hike into town to resupply and out. I'm not quite sure what tomorrow will hold now. I'm hoping to feel 100 percent early in the morning, and set off right after sunrise in an attempt to catch up. Plans have a way of evaporating out here though, so we'll see what happens.

Ass = Kicked

Everyone seemed to sleep really well last night, myself included. Of course nothing dried, so we were all very slow to start. The idea of pulling on cold, saturated socks, and then stuffing your feet in soggy boots doesn't exactly evoke any sense of urgency. Not to mention the damp shirt and pants, but thankfully those dry quickly when worn.
The sun came out almost immediately after I set out, which was very exciting. I passed Lavender as she worshipped the sun for a while (her words), but I told her I was "Too wet to stop", and we decided that should be an AT motto. After 3 miles I came to a road and met Dale America, an '02 thru-hiker. Mr. Fantastic caught up with me there and Dale offered us food. Nothing for me, a rice side for Mr. F.
Another 6 miles brought us to a shelter, and lunch. Bender was there, and we met Essay and Tender Fungus. They told us that Meta, Tapeworm, Dick Flap, and Stonechair had stayed there last night, so we're slowly catching up.
We took a long lunch to lay out some of our wet clothes to dry. Mr. Fantastic also watched part 2 of Dr. Horrible.. just one to go.
The first part of the hike had been easy at this point. At times we were pretty much jogging up the trail. The second part destroyed me though. A 7.4 hike up Roan Mountain, which is the last peak above 6000 feet for a long time.
By the time I hobbled up to the peak it was getting late. There was a bathroom and water fountain by the parking lot about a mile from the shelter, so we took advantage of that.
The shelter up here is very nice, but I had to set up my tent or the water would start to mildew inside of it. This is by far the highest point we've camped at, and it should be quite cold. We're back in evergreen territory up here, so it smells like Christmas again.
Today thoroughly kicked my ass, quads, calfs, and feet. Just when you think you're an old hat at this sort of thing they throw a mountain in your path! It's amusing that this has been our second longest hike, our longest being over Clingman's Dome. Clingman's is the highest point on the trail, and Roan is the second highest we've reached (maybe even second highest on the trail), so we really need to start planning our longer hikes on days that aren't the most difficult.
I've been moving slowly around camp tonight, but managed to force down some cold dinner and get everything organized and hung. Tomorrow is the downhill, and I'm sure my knees will be taught a valuable lesson (don't hike over a mountain). At least it's supposed to be sunny for a few days, and my shoes can finally dry out tomorrow morning.
Not much else to report on other than my final state of exhaustion, and my fear of blisters from wet socks. Tomorrow I'll take better care of myself, and tonight I will sleep like the dead (as I must have looked on my last lumbering steps up this mountain).

Out from the rain

It's a good thing that I write these at the end of the day, and not during the hike. There are some days, take today for instance, where the tone would be much darker. The day began with a drizzle. I didn't start hiking until 9am, as I'm always slow to pack up a wet tent.
I made it up to Beauty Bald and the skies opened up. Having nothing to sit on and nowhere to lean I didn't attempt to put my rain pants on. 10 minutes later I regretted it, and an hour later my shoes were soaked. Not much you can do at that point but stop avoiding puddles, and embrace the rain.
The rain was heavy enough today to stop me from having lunch, soak me to the bone, turn the trail to a mucky stream, and keep me moving. I'd sing to keep my mood up, and crisscrossed paths with James, Reidiculous, Lavender, Optimus, Wendigo, Bender, and Mr. Fantastic throughout the day.
I was happy to make it to shelter, and quickly took up space to sleep on. I have no more patience for the rain.
For a long while it was just Waldo, Lavender, Optimus, Wendigo, Mr. Fantastic, and myself taking up residence in the shelter. That worked out well since it's a small shelter.
We all ate, played a game of Assassin, and started getting comfy as fast as possible. It's hard to think about doing anything other than curling up when it's raining so hard outside the shelter. Reidiculous and Chief Kickin' Wing joined our little party a few hours later, and Pearl proceeded to roll around in the dirt and shake the mud off over everyone.
Tensions ran a little high at the shelter once people started vying to squeeze in with us. We had made room for a 7th, but there were 12 people once Golem joined us. He seemed pretty beat up, and very unhappy. He was going to sleep on the picnic table, but room was squeezed for him.
The rain makes everyone a little miserable out here. I'm just happy to have dry clothes and a dry place to sleep. Some people are pretty grumbly, but tomorrow may bring sunshine so why worry about it now. We have to do a little over 16 miles tomorrow but get to camp out on top of Roan mountain. It should be cold and windy, but hopefully dry!

Erwin: Hello, Goodbye

I set out after Tapeworm and Meta today for the 7 mile hike into Erwin. The walk gave some nice views and a chance to feel strong. I got to pet a mole wandering my feet, and saw deer, a salamander, and woodpecker today (I typically only hear them). James passed me pretty early on, and shortly after Mr. Fantastic caught up and joined me for the rest of the trek. We passed James as he ate his lunch overlooking a nice view (as pictured).
Walking down to the street drops you off right at the hostel, but nothing else. There we met back up with Meta and Tapeworm, but also Reidiculous, Lavender, and of course Pearl the dog. Mr. Fantastic and I were the only people that needed to get into town, so set off for the 4 mile hike with thumbs raised. After about 2 miles a pickup pulls over with Golem in the passenger seat. Laughing we jumped in the back. He dropped us all off at the IGA, which wasn't our actual destination, so we set off toward town. We got picked up pretty quickly and chatted with a local who was on his way to the Y for a basketball game with co-workers. We asked him where to eat, and he went out of his way to drop us off at the Hawg and Dawg. Lunch was great! I got BBQ pulled pork nachos and turtle cake with ice cream. Made my day!
As I was eating I decided to download the Paypal app, as my aunt Linda and uncle Bob had donated to our cause (walking and eating). I was surprised to find that I had multiple donations made, so I want to say a hearty and grateful thank you to Bill, Theresa, Linda, Bob, and Vince! I will eat as much as I possibly can to say thanks!
After lunch we walked to the laundromat, threw on our rain gear, and finally properly washed our clothes. It had been 10 days. Mr. Fantastic went over to the post office, while I dealt with laundry and caught up in Game of Thrones. Also made my day!
Resupply was next, and Food Lion was the key. We bought 4 days worth of food, and both seemingly overdid it. My pack is overstuffed at the moment, but I'll quickly eat away that problem.
A kid in the employ of the hostel came to pick us up, and was an amusing conversationalist. He talked about how he's a hiker, kayaker, caver, climber, etc., but that hiking is his most dangerous sport. He then told us about how section hikers just don't understand him when he does things like shout at a tree. Unfortunately I could relate.
He dropped us directly at the trailhead, and we dove head first into the forest. Our heavier pack weights don't seem to affect us nearly as much anymore, and I for one am grateful for that upgrade. We had 4.5 more miles to hike and it was a glorious walk. We wound back and forth across a water falling creek, and passed James and Reidiculous who were on their way back to town for the beer and pizza challenge. To play you have to hike back to town from the shelter, get 3 pizzas and a case of beer, and bring them back.
We came up to a packed shelter, the most crowded since we were in the Smokies. Meta and Tapeworm hiked further on, but we had with us James, Optimus, Waldo (they found him!), Reidiculous, Lavender, Golem, Chief Kickin' Wing, and some people I hadn't met. One of the new people was the guy that my mom and Vince gave a ride to. He said to say "Thank you so much!". It's fun how that sort of thing happens out here.
It was looking like rain so I quickly set up my tent and organized my gear. After that I pulled out my bear bag and went to town. It wasn't until I had thoroughly stuffed myself that James and Reidiculous rejoined us with goodies. They carried the pizza in a solar blanket, and beer in a pack. It was pretty amazing, especially with so many people gathered. I counted 20 people in total!
We sat around a massive fire, stuffed bellies, sipping on some cheap beer. It was a great way to end a busy day. This was the first time we've walked right through a town, and it felt right. We're on our way over Roan Mountain shortly, and after that is when they say to get rid of your winter gear. I'll be happy to lose a couple more pounds! Tomorrow is a lot of climbing and I feel ready for it, especially knowing that things are about to start leveling out.