Wednesday. Ok I really don't know the date.

I have observed that long distance hikers are easily distinguishable
from weekend hikers for more reasons than the obvious....smelliness,
level of dirtiness, the uncontrollable excitement at the sight of
fresh fruit (I literally threw down my pack and RAN up two flights of
stone steps toward someone dangling a banana toward me), but it's
generally the array of clothing items hanging off the back of the pack
that really gives it away. It's usually socks and bandanas, but today
I saw underwear. Yep.

I had the fortunate occasion to be arriving this morning at the NOC
right at breakfast time. I had the most awesome medley of veggies and
potatoes and a huge biscuit. And a huge glass of OJ. Yummm. Oh yeah..
And a bathroom with running hot water. Wow.

The climbing finally came to a merciful end and here I stayed. Short
mileage day to the Sassafras Gap shelter (7.7) but I got a new blister
so I decided to take it easy and let the dogs rest. It was an awesome
warm day. Tomorrow is supposed to be thunderstormy so who knows where
I will end up. I am two days away from the Smokies and I am so
grateful the weather is looking so nice!