We got to Newfound Gap and back on trail around 11:30 am. Rain was forecasted for today and the next few days and it definitely looked like it. I guess my new rain jacket would get the test it needed.

Town Day! Eager and excited to get food and to see my fiancé again, I was more than ready to get these 5 miles done. Hiking so early in the morning was a real treat.

Since I was already wide awake, I decided to just get up and see what the morning had in store for me.

Last night, the wind howled as it ushered in the rain-bearing clouds. Big rain storms were predicted for today, so I wanted to get my things packed before they (and I) got soaked.

Unfortunately, I’m starting this leg of the trail solo again.

Yesterday, I heard a large boom about 0.2 miles before I got to the shelter. Well, this morning I saw the source of that boom.

Last night was a little rough because my tent site was crooked, making my sleep pad slide to the bottom of the tent and leaving me feeling as though I would slide right off it.

Day 22 Start: Nantahala Outdoor Center End: Locust Cove Gap Miles Hiked: 10.5 Miles on AT: 147.6 Last night, I stayed in a simple, one room cabin a few minutes from the Nantahala Outdoor Center, so I caught a ride around 9 am to get back. Since I’d gotten in right as things were closing

Day 21 Start: Burningtown Gap, NC End: Nantahala Outdoor Center Miles Hiked: 12.9 Miles on AT: 137.1 Whew! Today was a tough one! I didn’t think I was going to make it, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start from the beginning. The fiance didn’t make it on trail for this leg. The poison

Days 19-20 ~ Zero Days ~ Miles Hiked: 0 Miles on AT: 124.2 Oops, we did it again. Another round of double zeros, on the house! We had previously planned for these double zeros in the schedule, so taking them wasn’t a big deal. The fiance needed to get some work done, so I took