A Really Wet Week 2

So I've made it two weeks into the trail and have hiked around 120 miles. The last two days I've been staying in Franklin, NC. I'm ahead of schedule to meet up with a couple of buddies in the Smokies, so I've got to cool my leg jets and just chill out for a bit.

This last week was a rough one, a definite spirit crusher. I woke up to rain, hiked in rain and slept in rain, four days straight. And to add insult to injury, I'm reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. So as I'm in my own submarine of a tent in the muddy woods of North Carolina I'm reading about adventures in the deep sea. :) But as water can create misery on the trail it is the saving grace off trail in the form a hot shower and clean laundry.

This week was the first time that I surprised my self with my smell. I was packing up some gear when I stood up to figure out what that wrench was, and to my surprise, it was me. I'm guessing that's going to be happening a lot. Especially in the hotter months. 

Another rough part of this past week was having to let some new friends/trail family jump on ahead as I slow my pace. I've only known them for about a week yet it seems like years.

Getting off the negative Nancy train (not referencing any Nancy or Nance I know, they're the best) here are a couple of things this week that kept my spirits up: first state done, first 100 miles crushed, 30 minutes of sunshine, talking with Sara, my Kindle, and then some wonderful trail magic as I was heading into Franklin.

What's trail magic? It's those wonderful moments of genuine hospitality and human kindness found along the trail.

As I was getting off the trail and heading into town a nice elderly lady gave me and another hiker a ride into town and gave us a little history lesson on Franklin. Then to top it off the other hiker gave me his resupply box of food for the week as he was hopping off the trail for respiratory issues. It's always a sad moment to see people getting off trail.

But no worries I haven't thought for a second about hopping off just yet, this trail and I are still going to dance for the next five months, rain or shine. 

Also thanks to all the support I've been getting from everyone, it means the world to me and really helps out on those tough days. You're all the best!!!

Happy trails and can't wait to see some familiar faces in a week.