Day 49

This was a BIG day! I hit a couple milestones that made it just amazing. First, after leaving camp, I had to climb Hump Mountain, which was quite a workout first thing in the morning but absolutely beautiful with views everywhere. That first false summit really got me though. It’s a long walk straight up that grassy mound! After a while, I came up to the sign I was waiting to see. “Leaving NC.” After so many days walking the line and bouncing between NC and TN, I was out of NC for good. My second milestone was later in the day and that was passing the 400 mile mark. I’m so proud of myself for making it this far. This trip has already been life changing. Shoot, I don’t think my stomach has been this flat since highschool! I’ve never had this much facial hair either! LOL! My reward for these milestones was to take a short side trail to see Jones Falls at mile 400.7 and it was SO worth it! I made it over 15 miles today and I’m beat! I set up camp in a small area just before Mountaineer Falls, which is water falling from a massive height and is creating a wonderful static sound in the background. It’s going to lull me right to sleep, I hope! Not sure how far I’ll go tomorrow. I only planned 12.1 but I may be able to push further than that and make my day I meet up with Jason shorter. I’m 24.7 miles away from there right now. If I get there before him, I’ll be able to just throw my Switchback mat on the ground, kick back, relax and eat whatever is left in my food bag. LOL!