Day 11-A Momentous Occasion at the End of the Day

March 29-Day 11-9.0 miles

We shuttled back to Dicks Creek Gap at 9:00, and we’re back on trail by 9:20. Quite honestly, it felt good to get out of the town and back to the woods. It just feels so much safer out here. 

With 10 days of food, I was surprised how not terrible my pack seemed. Sure Foot’s pack was heavier than mine (he has more clothes), but he still hustles up the trail pretty fast!

Back to following the white blazes!

Although when we were still at the hotel this morning, a thunderstorm rolled through and dumped a bunch of rain, it was sunny and warming up quickly on the trail. It was, as you might expect, rather humid too. My shirt that was just washed yesterday, would be back to it’s stinkyness in no time!

When Sure Foot and I stopped for lunch (today’s lunch was Pop Tarts-meant them for breakfast, but realized I had town food for breakfast-a Naked smoothie, banana, peanut butter, and a chocolate chip cookie), a couple we had seen filtering water at Dicks Creek Gap caught up to us. It’s the first couple I’ve seen that are my age. They are Dodie and Larry from Indiana. We took off together. 

I, of course, was slower, so they moved ahead quickly. 

The terrain today was a bunch of medium ups and downs, with one slightly more notable up called As Knob (it was more like Ass-kicker Knob-but that might have been because our packs are heavier now). There wasn’t even a view at the top. 

About .2 miles from our destination for the day, we...(drum roll)....CROSSED INTO NORTH CAROLINA!!! Yep, people, we have left Georgia behind. 



See that little pipe that the tree is slowly growing around? That’s the state line. 

We arrived at Bly Gap a tiny bit later. It’s quite windy here. The only place out of the wind has signs saying no camping. I’m sure it’s because it is right next to the water source. Bly Gap is also the location of the most photographed tree on the AT. 

Tha trail goes on either side. 


For tonight’s dinner, we had a delicacy known as the Ramen Bomb. It’s half a package of ramen, and half a package of instant potatoes. In this mixture, I also added a packet of tuna. Sounds pretty gross, right? IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! Now, if you ask me again, in about 8 days, I may not think it is so delicious anymore! Tonight, however, it hit the spot.

Yum!

Dodie and Larry made it, as did a guy named Popeye (Jake). We all watched a beautiful sunset. 




Since there are no bear boxes or cables here, and all our food doesn’t fit in the Ursacks, Sure Foot did a bear hang. 

Good job Sure Foot!

Well, that’s it for today. Goodnight from North Carolina!







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