It was a cold morning again. Mr. Fantastic was particularly unhappy about the temperature. I started out early, as cold mornings always push me to warm up. It was a relatively nice climb all the way up to another bald today (Max Patch). It warned up quickly, and it was a nice, quiet, uneventful hike.
I met Tapeworm up on the bald, and saw a few others who had driven up to see the vista. It seemed like a popular spot, which we understood, as we both agreed it was a better view than Clingman's Dome. We could even see the bald that we had eaten lunch on yesterday.
Everyone else eventually made their way up there to see the sights and stuff their faces. We chatted with a few day hikers, and some people who had just parked 100 yards away and walked up. It's always a bit of culture shock to see normal people on the trail. I think we all get a bit snotty about them being there. Ownership is a funny thing.
The second half of the hike was a bit more tiring, but that's always the way of it. I did at least finish Reamde, and it was pure adrenaline. We bumped into Meandering Snail, who I've passed twice before back in Georgia. He's an odd older overweight guy who hikes between 2 to 3 miles a day with ankle weights on. He also talked about how he's the king of the forest, and a very serious Buddhist and vegetarian. I was calling him out as a cheater in my head, until he admitted to it. He had to get a ride around the Smokies because he couldn't hike the distance between shelters.
I got to the shelter first today, and picked out a choice level locale for my tent. We all overate today, because we arrive at Hot Springs tomorrow after another 13 mile day. No need to carry food or have a growling stomach.
Tapeworm, Dick Flap, and Stonechair want to rent out a cabin in town with us, since it'll only cost us $15pp. Pretty tempting.
It's going to be another cold night, so everyone's climbing into their tents early. We also want to get out early to make it into town as soon as possible. I'd like to leave by 7am, eat a first lunch around 11am, and get to town before 2pm. Once in town I'd enjoy a much more serious second lunch. Then dinner, drinks, and Dr. Horrible. No one else in our group has seen it, so it makes my trail name a little odd. This will soon be rectified.
