Saturday 4/24

Today it was about a 16.9 mile day from Bald Mnt to Erwin, TN. That makes 339.9 miles on the AT to date.

PTD had plans on tenting at a local campground in Erwin but weather was not on his side. So, 6 of them decided to split the room at the Holiday Inn Express on the outskirts of town. Fast Lane, Inferno, Ponytail Dave, Jeff, Maple and Long Shank. They were calling for Hail, thunderstorms and there was a tornado watch. Yikes! A tornado watch. Glad he is not in the tent.

When PTD called me they were all pooling their laundry together so they could get a full load. Now there are only 2 double beds. They were all going to draw straws after dinner to see which ones got the beds. Told him I hope he gets the lucky straw.
Someone had asked me while I was hiking Bald Peak yesterday, how time was going by for Dave. I asked him and he said it all depends but most of the time mornings go by fast and sometimes afternoons drag because his feet ache and he is tired and wants to get to the shelter to relax. Shelter/tent time goes by fast because he is busy talking w/other hikers, cooking his dinner and setting up camp for the night. Overall he can't believe he has been out on the trail for 24 days.