It’s so neat how abundant the trail magic has been around here. I actually overshot my intended campsite the other day, but that just happened to result in getting to Dick’s Creek Gap at the same time as a) someone was cooking burgers for hikers at the trailhead and b) the free shuttle Hiawassee operates to take hikers into town was getting ready to go. Wandering and I had happened to get there at the same time, so we (and Totoro) got burgers, then went into town. We resupplied, which was an overwhelming experience, as this was my first time in a full grocery store on trail. We both got all sorts of snacks from the bulk section. Then, as it turns out, the mayor was actually hosting a cookout for hikers, so we got more burgers, hot dogs, brownies, and all sorts of other good things. Lovely time hanging out in Hiawassee. Eventually I took the free shuttle back and camped near the trailhead, to be near the hostel I was headed to the next day.

The next day was my first ever hostel day on the trail, which was great. First shower and first clean clothes since April 2! And everyone at Around the Bend was so nice. My friend Brady and I rode the free shuttle into Hiawassee again, and this time we checked out the brewery in town. A couple local beers and some fish and chips has never been that exciting, it was awesome! And then when we got back to the hostel, we all hung out in the common area, had some wine, used the leg massagers and such that they had there, and just relaxed before heading back to the trail the next day. Someone there could even play guitar, so she played and we had a little singalong.

First day post hostel was nice, I felt so refreshed. I was making good time, but ended up stopping at Bly Gap, just past the North Carolina border (!), because I encountered some friends and they were about to make a fire, which sounded nice. First state done, 13 more to go!

Today was my first 15 miler of this trail. Starting to step the pace up a bit, and it’s feeling good! I’m glad I took the first bit so easy, but I’m ready to start doing some more miles. All of us kinda held each other to the easy pace, which is good because it was tempting to just go for it early on, which is probably a bad idea on a 2000 mile hike. I ended up going a little further than originally intended because I encountered my friends Travis and Josh, a father and son doing the trail together who I’ve really enjoyed hiking with. Josh was actually one of the very first folks I met on the approach trail. So I decided to hike a little further with them, and we’re here at Carter Gap shelter, which has had a reputation for bears recently, but we’ll see!

Morning update: no bear encounters at Carter.