Out Solo Again

This morning we woke up kind of early to hit the continental breakfast. Violet came down with us, but Daisy’s ankle wasn’t feeling too great. I loaded up on so much food and snagged a couple bagels for the road. While we were at breakfast Kat Kall, Friday, and DQ all came down.

I stayed to talk while Sparky went to get her stuff out together. While she was upstairs, she decided she was going to take a zero today and keep moving tomorrow. I was feeling good and the weather was beautiful that I still wanted to take advantage of it. It was difficult because, for the first time since Amicalola Falls, I was leaving on my own. The people I’ve been surrounded by for the last almost two weeks weren’t going to be there and I was off to face the trail alone...well truly you are alone for only so long.

A lady gave me a ride back to Winding Stair Gap where some trail angels hooked me up with some fruit and candy. While I was talking to them, Daniel and T.O. came strolling through.

The hike today was beautiful! I stopped for almost an hour at Siler Bald. I dropped my pack and hiked to the top to see a beautiful view. When I got back down, I hung out with Daniel and Stop and Go and ate the rest of my trail magic. I get distracted easily and my breaks are typically not too quick, but Stop and Go gave me a good reminder. He said, “When will you ever be here again?” In all honesty, most of these places maybe never. It’s ok to sit down and enjoy the view while you eat your banana. Even when your snack break turns into an hour...it’s about the process and the experience, and the moment you forget that is the moment you begin to miss out.

The rest of the day was beautiful. At almost the end of the day, we got to a rock fire tower, Wayah Bald. The view was gorgeous. I grabbed my phone and FaceTimed my parents so they could see the gorgeous view too. I was getting too comfortable sitting up there so I threw my pack on to walk the last mile or so before I lost all motivation.

The tent sites at the shelter were slim pickings so I had to settle with a mostly flat spot. I knew I was getting a resupply box in NOC so I ate so much food out of my food bag tonight. Not as much as Daniel though. He ate two packs of ramen, added a full pack of mashed potatoes, a pack of herb and garlic tuna, a pack of honey smoked tuna, and crushed sun chips. So much food but he eventually finished it.

Tomorrow is Easter and the hike isn’t awful but I am exhausted and ready for some sleep.