Today was a day filled with all things good. I expected to wake up with tired, sore legs this morning, after the last three days of hard hikes, but it was just the opposite. My legs felt strong and rested. 

Pam dropped me off at my starting point at 8:45 am. It was a beautiful fall day with soft breezes and lots of sunshine. My hike was only two-thirds the distance of yesterday’s hike, so I knew I could take my time and just enjoy the beauty of the day. The trail today was very easy, but again with no views to speak of. I met five southbound hikers and no one heading north. One man was from South Africa and I had a nice chat with him, as well as a young lady from Nevada who has already completed the Pacific Crest Trail, and, after completing the AT, intends to hike the Continental Divide Trail in 2027, giving her claim to having completed hiking’s Triple Crown. The most interesting person I met was a lady (Phoenix) from Arizona. Originally from Guatemala, she sold all of her possessions, including her house and car, and began hiking the AT in the spring. She said she just reached a point in her life where she hated the weather (heat) in Arizona and wanted to get a fresh start on life. Phoenix said she has no idea where she will go after completing her hike. I told her not to worry as she still has 600 miles to figure that out! Just as I was coming off the trail this afternoon a small snake crossed right in front of my feet. It was only about 18 inches long and was moving so fast that I could not identify what it was.    

The hostel I am staying at tonight is called Weary Feet, and it was only a half-mile walk from the trail. It Is one of the more interesting hostels that I have stayed at. Situated at the bottom of several hills, on a beautiful piece of property, it has a variety of buildings and rooms. There is a small hiker replenishment “store” as you walk in the front door. My room has two twin beds and a double bed, but I am the only guest in that room tonight. The shower facility is in a small barn-like structure with chickens clucking around as I took a shower in a wooden stall. On a table next to the shower stalls are a lot of snake skins and a small jar, which I believe, holds the rattlers from several rattle snakes. I have to admit that I did keep my eyes focused on the open shower floor as I bathed. The owner, Purple Haze, (yes, everyone who has anything to do with hiking on the AT has a trail name and that is literally how they introduce themselves) will prepare a home-cooked meal for the guests tonight who pay an extra $15 for this treat (I’m all in). 

Tomorrow will see a much longer hike than today with a couple of decent sized mountains to get up and over.