Had an awesome three day visit with friends in Asheville, NC. My friends Jon and Jen gave Chef, Ranger Bill and I a ride back to the trail at Hot Springs, NC and also did a mile long hike up to Lovers Leap. It was tough getting back into the hiking frame of mind. Hiked a short day up to a campsite near a pond and it was very loud with the night time symphony of peepers and birds.

Jon and Jen on Lover Leap outside of Hot Springs, NC.

Leaf channeling water for easy water gathering.

Ranger Bill

Woke up and hiked another short day to the next shelter. Met back up with a super cool group of female hikers Hips, Emilyn and Chameleon.

Wounded Knee.

Hiked to Jerry Cabin Shelter, it started to rain hard and continued through the night.

Emilyn and Hips

Hercules and Fal who thru hiked in 1999, invited hikers into their home for waffles, stew and a choice of five desserts.

Fal making waffles.

Emilyn and Hips

Hips

Hips

Emilyn and Hips

Woke up and it was cold and pouring out, everything got soaking wet. It was a hard day, but I enjoyed the company of fellow hikers and pushed through my bad mood.

Wet trail

Hips

Briscuit who is continuing a thru hike after his first attempt in 2010 when he blew out his knee and had to get off the trail.

Briscuit

Ranger Bill

Hips on Big Bald

Eddie from Israel with his wind up radio.

Eddie making coffee in his huge aluminum bowl, he makes about five coffees a day.

Hiked into Erwin, TN.