Day 19 Pigeon River to Two Streams (19 miles) 257.7 miles total

Light rain on and off through night. Stayed dry inside tent. Yea! Warmest night camping so far. Guessing because of low elevation (1698 ft).

Little stream I camped by last night turns into real river down the hill a piece!

Walked right under I-40 this AM.

Standing Bear Farm is a very eclectic hiker/hippy hostel/commune. Only a couple hundred yards off trail so thought I’d check it out. After all, they do have restrooms and resupply food. Have tiny store (maybe 10′ x 10′) with pretty much anything a hiker could want. Got a Coke, 2 bagels, and 2 candy bars for $4. It’s on the honor system!

If I’d have known I could rent this treehouse, I may have timed my passage by better.

Foggy and rainy almost all day.

A grassy bald is an area at top of mountain that years ago was cleared of trees to graze cattle. This is the grassy bald on Snowbird Mtn. I’m guessing it’s 40 acres of bald. Looks and feels a bit like Ireland today.

When ET phoned home, I’m pretty sure this is who he called! Freaky looking thing that hums. Said to be an FAA tower. Things that make you go hmm.

Below is Max Patch Bald. Supposedly incredible views but so foggy I couldn’t see more than 100 yds.

Rain makes 2 types of mud on trail, a slimy, sink in mud and a looks firm but slippery as grease mud.

Just as I was patting myself on the back for not taking a fall as yet, the greasy mud got me. Sit on floor at home with both legs extended on floor in front of you. Take your right leg and put heel under your butt with knee still facing forward. Felt like my ligaments in knee were going to pop for the few seconds it took to extricate myself from that position.

All seems to be good. Hiked 4 miles after that. Hopefully fine in AM because will be zero day in Hot Springs, NC after 15.7 miles tomorrow.

Happy trails!