Day 23

This was a GOOD day! It’s like whenever I have a bad day, it’s balanced out by an amazing one the day after. I got up in the morning and only had less than 6 miles to reach the Nantahala Outdoor Center (The NOC). The views today were spectacular! Best views of the trip so far. To see my Relive video that shows my trek each day and blends in video, see my Instagram or Facebook page. I’m still in awe by what I saw today. I arrived at the NOC, got a double-bunk room all to myself, took a shower, changed into my summer clothes (it’s a nice sunny 72 F right now) and am waiting for my laundry to finish drying in the dryer. After that, I’ll take it all back to my room, find some place to hang my tent and footprint, hopefully, to dry them and then head to the restaurant for a burger and beer. I have 8.2 miles planned for tomorrow but it is ALL an incline constantly and I hear that this climb out of the NOC is one of the worst. Wish me luck tomorrow. Part of me wants to stay here another day to relax by the water, eat and drink beer but the better side of me is saying, “Enough zeros! Get going! I’ve been at this 23 days and I’m only at mile 136.9!” So I’ll be good. Get my chores done, eat, go to bed and get hiking again.