After taking 95 consecutive zero-mile days (and a few naps), I am now fully energized and ready to continue my Appalachian trek toward my goal destination for 2017: Fontana Dam. I had initially planned to be back on the trail today. I made arrangements to be away from work for about a week; I purchased a new Osprey Atmos AG 65 backpack: I selected my meals and shopped for groceries; I coordinated transportation to get me to my Deep Gap starting point; I even filled my water bladder just to see what the final pack weight would be. BUT THEN I checked the weather. It turns out, hurricanes can cross the Gulf of Mexico pretty quickly if they know there’s a chance they can get on TV with Jim Cantore. Tropical Depression Nate got jazzed up on hurricane-strength Prozac and is currently speeding toward our northern shores to celebrate his newfound celebrity status with the Weather Channel. Since his agenda seems to include dumping several inches of rain across the southeast, I have decided to give Nate his day in the spotlight and pushed my hike to next weekend. Time for another nap.
Doctor Photon