Trip 3

We drove up to Franklin NC after work on Monday and then got up this morning to start our hike. Today we walked from Rock Springs Gap to Mooney Gap, a nice, leisurely stroll of almost 8 miles. I would like to think that I am in better shape but Don thinks this is a much easier section of the trail. At any rate, we started at 10:10 and were off the trail at 3:03 which is great time. We spent the rest of the afternoon, taking a nap, eating dinner and then went to the local cinema "The Ruby" to watch World War Z. Probably not a great choice to watch a zombie movie just before you run off into the woods.


We saw 5 people on the trail and one massive dog. No animal sightings but some deer tracks. Don keeps hoping for another snake. I've seen all the snakes on the trail that I care to see.

The highlight of the day was the view from the fire tower atop Mt. Albert. You can see for miles and miles and unlike the weather for the last several weeks, it was actually clear. That tower is a work. There is a road that crosses the trail a half mile down from the tower but that is a scary, tough ascent from the road to that tower. We came down it, since we were walking North to South today and there were times that I actually sat on my bottom and slid down the rocks. I cannot imagine hauling the steel girders, rebar and concrete to that sight.



Because of all the rain, we spent much of the day slopping through mud and streams that either crossed the trail ro WERE the trail. That is the great thing about hiking boots. Our feet stayed dry. Can't say that about my bottom.



Tomorrow is a longer hike -- almost 10 miles. I feel great, a slight headache (I think that is from the zombies....) and I am looking forward to a great night's sleep.