The general consensus seems to be that everyone wants more food, myself included. I had bought a good amount, but I am nearly out now. I have enough to get to the next town, where most people plan to stop. If more food is of reason enough, there is snow in the future forecast. I can handle snow, but down here cold and wet almost always go together this time of year. I have avoided the worst of the weather so far, especially starting at the time that I did, considering how cold it has been this year.

The big talk is the Smokies coming up quick, now that we are in North Carolina. They are very high in elevation, so they will be coldddd. For me, the Smokies mostly mean meeting up with my family, about which I am pumped up!

Morale here is high, as we have a sweet fire going. There are quite a few people at the shelter here, with some friends from earlier on in the trail (among them Day Tripper, the Rock, Anna, Tatanka, Flinch). It has been a really relaxing night after hiking a pretty route – not a lot of views but overall good looking woods. The past few days have shown me the reasoning behind the name “green tunnel” for the trail. Everything is becoming greener and forms walls and a ceiling along the way. It is an amazing feeling to walk through that, but I can see how it would get monotonous.

I met up with Spirit Hawk, and we had an enlightening talk. It was great to meet him, and I anticipate seeing him again.

Today was a good hike. A good amount of miles in, but the terrain was nothing too rough. The campfire after the hike was definitely the highlight of the day. It is only 8:30 p.m., but I am ready for bed. My plan is to rise early tomorrow and start hiking the 16 miles to get to my destination, just before a spot to hitch into town. We will see if I can get up as early as I hope.