Sunday morning, my parents dropped us off under a bridge along a twisty state highway, to head out into the cold. There was definitely a part of me that wanted to just stay in the nice, warm car and drive back to Atlanta and our cats and our house. But the stubborn, driven part thought that we were over 1800 miles into the trek, and no way in HELL are we stopping now. Now, we’re 250 miles from home. It seems like every day goes a bit faster now, as we’re on the downhill slide back to Georgia. If only it were really downhill…

Pancho's pirate alter ego, Captain Sea Cucumber, and his one good eye.
This is what a cold morning in the tent looks like....

We’ve been in Hot Springs, NC for the last two nights, at the Iron Horse Station Inn and Tavern, a cool little joint with lots of good live tunes and Highland Brewery taps. Today, we did a great 20 mile hike down from Max Patch in perfect weather with Sage and Meander. We’re all heading back out tomorrow. Pancho and I will take a break in a few days, to soak up the tackiness and celebrate our 12^th anniversary in Gatlinburg. I think there is a heart-shaped hot-tub calling our name…. J

View from Max Patch, NC.

Hiking with Sage and Meander.