The Home Place Restaurant rocks! It’s AYCE fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, baked apples, green beans, biscuits, beans & bacon, cole slaw, ice tea & lemonade, peach cobbler & ice cream. All for $12, awesome!

Great, hot food was brought to the table and replenished constantly. I ate with Rockhound & Hoplite and we were so full we could barely stagger outside. Putting our packs on took another 20 minutes! Luckily we caught a lift most of the way back to the trail. it started raining as we began hiking again, so without ever tightening our hip belts we walked 1 mile to Johns Spring Shelter and decided to stay. Only 18 miles into town tomorrow.

Dharma and Hippie Long Stocking are here tonight. Everyone is getting up early to hike the 2 mies to McAfee Knob around sunrise to take some pictures there.

Lots of good flower photos today. Columbine, pink lady slipper and many other flowers are in bloom. The dragon’s tooth was a cool rock formation and the trail north of it pretty and challenging.

We’re talking about a relaxed day tomorrow. Hanging at a hotel with pizza and beer, celebrating an early Cinco de Mayo. Then I get to try to make some miles for 5 days before Heather and Tally come to visit! Yippee!