This morning I awoke as the tent interior began to brighten. I needed to get a dry, clean change of clothes from my pack, so I slipped on my camp shoes and crawled out of my tent wearing just my t-shirt and boxer shorts. I could see the sun beginning to rise in the east. But as I reached my pack, I heard voices directly behind me – like really close behind me! I turned to see no less than a dozen people with phone cameras at eye level positioned just a few meters away – all apparently watching me wander around my small camp area in my boxers. After a moment of shock, I realized they were not there to spy on me, but rather to see the sunrise. Like the sunset, its apparently a thing to watch the sunrise from the top of this huge grassy bald – and some careless camper in his undershorts was ruining their view! Truthfully, I don’t think any of them paid me any attention.
I got back into the tent, changed into today’s fashionable hiking ensemble, crammed tent and everything else into the pack, and was hiking away from the sunrise club within about 10 minutes. I decided to have breakfast at the first shelter past Max Patch just to get away from the crowd.
The rest of the day was unremarkable. I have never had a hiking day where I saw no other hikers, but for both yesterday and today, I had the trail all to myself. I have always felt relatively safe on the trail because, until this trip, I had faith that should something serious happen like a broken ankle, a bad spill off the trial shoulder, or even a wildlife encounter such as snake bite or bee sting reaction, some other hiker would be along within an hour or so to provide assistance. Now I’m not so sure. And, of course, today was also the day I saw a rattlesnake sunning himself on the trial. See the photo section of this blog for proof. I was very careful to step far around his sleeping area.
I decided early this morning that I would try to hike the 20 miles from Max Patch to Hot Springs and then make the drive home tonight rather than spending another night on the trial. I LOVE being out here, but I also love being with my wife and kids.
At about 6pm, I staggered into the Laughing Heart Hostel and found Chuck to say that I had completed the hike and was off the trail. He offered the hostel’s shower should I want to clean up before making the drive home. I did and I did.
I’m already planning the next trip which I would like to make from Hot Springs, NC to Erwin, TN – a distance of about 70 miles. I’m guessing that would take me about 5 full hiking days. I’m just not sure when I will be able to make it happen considering my employment commitments. Maybe during Christmas break (?).
Doctor Photon