Day 23? Back to the Trail!

When all this virus stuff is over, I’ll have a story for you about the last 5 days and how we were able to continue on in these very strange times, but for now I need to keep it to myself. 

We did leave town today, but i guess, technically, we’re not back on trail until tomorrow. Our first stop was the NOC to pick up Primo, Boston, and Veg. They finished the section from Winding Stair Gap and the NOC (Sure Foot and I had already done the majority of that section). Had an interesting encounter with a sheriff’s deputy at the NOC while we were waiting. He told us we had to leave. Our shuttle driver said we were waiting for 3 hikers that were getting off trail (a semi-truth). The sheriff’s deputy was satisfied with that answer (he had talked to Sure Foot who was standing outside...when our driver gave him his answer, the deputy said, “ Why didn’t the other guy just say that?” I piped up and said, “He probably didn’t hear you correctly. He’s very hard of hearing.” I’m sure he did hear him.)

Once the others arrived, we loaded up, and headed back out to drive around to the north end of the Smokies. We’d called ahead to let Standing Bear Farm know we were coming. 

We arrived at Standing Bear Farm about 1:00. There are a few options for sleeping here. They have a cabin that is built over a creek, and a treehouse cabin  we thought about the Creekside cabin, but instead opted for the bunkhouse. A bunk is $25/night. There are 16 bunks in here. I’m in one on the end. Primo is next to me, and Sure Foot is across from me. 

The bunkhouse. 

They have a little bit of everything here, including a little store that wejust write down on an envelope what we buy, then pay for it tomorrow morning before we leave. Laundry is a kick (fortunately don’t have to do laundry). There’s a dryer, but to wash, you use the sink and an old fashioned washboard. There is a shower too. They provide towels, and clothes to change into while doing your laundry. 

Feather, one of the guys who works/lives here asked us if we wanted to help out in the garden. 30 minutes gets us $5 off our stay. Primo, Boston, Sure Foot and I said sure. It’s not like we have anything else to do. We ended up picking rocks out of the tilled rows. 

Rocks all picked!

When we were done we came back to find Veg trying to organize his resupply. Him and Boston have probably enough food for two weeks! It’s only 4 1/2 to 5 days to Hot Springs. 

So, tomorrow we hike. Looking forward to it!

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