Day 11
Miles Hiked Today - 7.7
Total Trail Miles - 83.3

Standing Indian Shelter

It was cold today (about 30 degrees) and the walking was difficult. We only hiked about seven miles. I was so upset by how much my knee hurt that I began to question whether I'd make it to Maine. But after we rested for half an hour or so, I made it to the shelter with no problem. I started taking vitamin I (Ibuprofen) tonight, and hopefully that will help.

I keep forgetting to mention the little things I see along the Trail. Every morning we see ice crystals that actually grow out of the ground. We figure they must get pushed out when the water in the soil freezes. It's really beautiful!

Day 12
Miles Hiked Today - 14.4
Total Trail Miles - 97.7

Big Spring Shelter (Tenting again)

We are all starting to smell bad. Really bad!

One thing that surprises me out here is how much we laugh. We are always falling into fits of hysteria as we walk along. It makes the days go quickly. We need a lot of laughter to get us through this freezing cold weather. I'm constantly cold, except when I'm hiking. I've been wearing all my clothes all the time, even to bed. I am very tired of being cold, but the people make it so worthwhile. And tomorrow, we pass the 100-mile mark! Yay!!!!

Day 13
Miles Hiked Today - 9.1
Total Trail Miles - 106.8

Microtel Inn in Franklin, NC

It snowed, sleeted, and rained all night. Getting out of the tent in the rain was no fun at all. Packing up the wet tent was even worse. We decided to hike into town to dry off and do laundry. We hiked the ten miles to Winding Stain Gap and then caught a hitch into town on the back of a plumber's truck. We nearly froze to death in the sleet and wind. I was borderline hypothermic when we got to the Microtel Inn.

There is still a good amount of snow and mud on the Trail. The pain in my knee is not getting better. In town I bought a knee brace. I hope that helps.

Day 14 (written on Day 15)
Miles Hiked Today - 4
Total Trail Miles - 110.8

Microtel Inn in Franklin, NC

I woke up well rested and happy. I even cleaned my tent in the inn's bathroom. I ran some errands in town before we hitched a ride back to the Trailhead. We hiked an easy four miles to Cold Spring Shelter where we were reunited with many of our friends. I was so excited to see everyone that I danced in the rain!

Day 15
Miles Hiked - 17.6
Total Trail Miles -128.4

Wesser Bald Shelter

I noticed yesterday that I'm starting to hike rather fast. This morning I was up before 7:00 and on the Trail by 8:00. Today was the first day that I hiked alone. It was a lot of fun - - - what a different experience. I can go at my own pace, stop when I need to, and hear and see more than I do when I hike with other people. Having company is nice, too, though. I can't believe that I almost did 18 miles today. Wow!

Day 16
Miles Hiked Today - 5.5
Total Trail Miles - 134.1

Nantahala Outdoor Center

I received some mail here at NOC. Getting mail reminds me of how exciting it is to be out here - even for my family and friends. I really hope that I can make it all the way. I feel like I have so many people behind me.

I had a great restaurant meal today - french fries and something called sherpa rice, which consists of brown rice, lentils, and barley topped with sauteed veggies. I dumped about half a bottle of A1 steak sauce on top!

I still haven't gotten any vegan cookies in the mail . . . hello . . . anyone out there? : )

Day 17
Miles Hiked Today - 6.9
Total Trail Miles - 141.0

Sassafres Gap Shelter

We (2 Traex, Samurai, TeaTree and I) hiked up, up, up, and up seven miles to this shelter. I am pretty exhausted! We went from 1740 feet to 4330 feet. Ugh.

2 Traex is also married, so we had a good conversation today about being away from our spouses. I still miss Scott everyday. Despite the hard work and lack of luxury, I am not at all interested in going home. What would I do with myself? I'm still hoping to "discover myself" out here, but I'll probably just find that I'm supposed to be confused right now and I just have to accept it. Well, either way, I'm having fun!

Day 18 (written on Day 19)
Miles Hiked Today - 15.5
Total Trail Miles - 156.5

Cable Gap Shelter

A horrible day! After hiking 9 miles alone and in the rain my spirits were really low. My body felt awful. I was sluggish, with pains in my knees, Achilles tendons, and ankles. To make matters worse, I forgot to get water at the shelter I stopped at for lunch. I hiked another 6.5 miles to Cable Gap Shelter and water. Once there, I still had to wait 20 minutes for the iodine treatment of the water to work. Anyway, like I said, it was a bad day. I finally cheered up a little when TeaTree and Samuari showed up at the shelter. I then realized the importance of hiking with friends on rainy days.

Day 19
Miles Hiked Today - 5.5
Total Trail Miles - 162.0

Fontana Dam Shelter

At dinner tonight we ran into Willy Seaz who had hiked with us over Blood Mtn. It was great to catch up with him again.

Tomorrow is our first zero (no hiking) day. I am going back to NOC (by car) to make some gear changes. I'm going to buy a water filter and maybe some sandals. My pack keeps getting heavier while everyone else's is getting lighter. Slightly distressing . . .

Day 20
Miles Hiked Today - 0.0
Total Trail Miles - 162.0

Still in Fontana Dam at the Fontana "Hilton" Shelter

Many people on the Trail have an opinion about everything and are all too willing to share it with you. Gear opinions are rampant! People will tell you that you are carrying the wrong stuff, or too much, or too little. But my experience is my own, and as long as I can carry my pack over these mountains, I'm doing just fine, thank you very much!

Scott, I wish you were here. Can't you quit your job and start hiking? : )