[at-l] Out in the woods - short trip report

[KarenS62@xxxxxxx (KarenS62@xxxxxxx)]

I just got back from a short overnight from Spivey Gap north into Erwin. I'=
m working hard at filling in some of the gaps I have accumulated in NC and =
TN and this was one of them. The day started yesterday with a nice chat and=
 shuttle from Miss Janet. Her plan for the day was to refinish the floors o=
f the hostel. They had just finished lainting downstairs and the colors she=
 picked are yummy. I have no idea what time I hit the trail because we sat =
at the trail head yakking for a very long time.

Once I hit the trail, it was a pleasant day for hiking, overcast and just a=
 bit cool. The forecast was for rain but t never showed up during the day. =
Got to No Business Knob shelter about 1pm - had passed a troup of boy scout=
s headed that way so picked a tent spot far away from the shelter. At some =
point during my nap, the scout arrived and moved into the shelter. They wer=
e actually pretty nice kids. One of them was yelling at another "you need t=
o be quiet, we are in the woods and there's no reason to yell". Made me lau=
gh. Once again, the behavior of the kids was just a reflection of the adult=
s and these adults were very friendly and LNT conscious.

Had a nice dinner using my new pot stand/windscreen (thanks for the help Mr=
s=2E Gorp!) and then sat and enjoyed the fire for a couple of hours before =
heading back to my tent. Just as I crawled in, the rain finally started. It=
 poured steadily all night long until about 6am. What a glorious feeling to=
 be warm and dry, listening to the rain drum down on the tent.

Was up and out fairly early this morning to do the 6 miles back to the rive=
r=2E The downhill was a bit slippery between the pine needles and the rain,=
 but I made it without falling and without accumulating too much mud on my =
legs. The sun came out as I was descending down into Erwin so had a few nic=
e views of the river.

Not the most exciting hike I have ever had, but it was really nice to get o=
utdoors, stretch my legs and breath the fresh air. On an even more exciting=
 note, this is the first time I have hiked in almost a year and a half wher=
e my heel hasn't hurt!  Life is very good.

POG