I’m getting into the flow now. We put in some good miles today. It was an early start getting out of the tent at 6:45, but not out of camp for another 2 hours. The trail rolled trough endless rhododendron and mountain laurel groves with twisted trunks that were beautiful even while not yet budding or flowering.

The trail was far busier today and we saw about 20 other hikers out there. At lunchtime, we met Pittsburgh, a guy who shuttles hikers to the start of the trail, stopped on a forest road. He told us what the trail was like ahead and gave us a coke to have with lunch, our first trail magic! Soon after we ran into Kentucky, a nice woman who’d finished her southbound hike in December. She was the first SOBO thru hiker I’d met (we’re NOBO – northbound) but like all successful thrus she emitted amazing positive energy.

I’m finding that nighttime is the right time for my journaling. We’ve arrived at our campsite, set up our tents, had our food and hang out time, and I’m able to relax in my tent and write. We’re tenting again tonight and the shelter is busy with at least 10 other aspiring thus and some shorter distance hikers. We’re in our bags at 7:15 on this 62°F night, hoping that the rain holds off.

Claude heard a barred owl last night. I’m hoping to hear something tonight over the sound of the snores coming from my brother’s tent!