Carolina on my mind....

For the next week or so, we’ll be heading right down the line between Tennessee and North Carolina. Today, we spent a frigid, snowy day hiking over Bald Mountain, from Sams Gap to Spivey Gap. We’ve been in Erwin, TN for the last few days, visiting with my parents and getting in a couple of days of slackpacking. A very good thing, since yesterday was cold and rainy and today was worse. It’s always good to be able to come back, take a hot shower, and dry out after a day like this.

Before we reached Erwin, we had some spectacular weather—perfect, sunny fall days. Earlier in the week, we stayed at the Mountain Harbor hostel in Roan Mountain. Mary, Terry, and Lula take amazing care of the hikers passing through, especially with their incredible breakfast. We also got to hang out with some great section hikers and reconnect with Beanpole, another flip-flopper we originally met in NJ. And this last section had my favorite hike so far, up around Carver’s Gap, crossing some of the beautiful balds.

The Cat Lady. At Mountain Harbor in Roan Mountain.

Pancho and Beanpole on Jane Bald.

Heading across the bald. NC/TN.

Nachita on Jane Bald.