It was a hard day today. My knee hurt intermittently and I picked up some pain low on my right shin, just above the ankle—it feels like shin splints to me. Let’s see how that feels tomorrow.

The Smokies regulations force hikers to stay in the shelters when there’s space available rather than camping at the shelter as we were doing earlier on. Tonight we’re behind a chain link fence with the Jaybirds, Rockhound, Chris & Anna and a new couple, Blue Sky & Sir Fix-a-lot. Hopefully the mice will behave themselves.

Just a little bit of rain at the end of our walk today. Let’s hope it behaves itself tomorrow too!