Week 2 - 2021

Week Two of HOBOS going SOBO in their OBOZ ... and we never looked back.  Our In-Tents Journey on the Appalachian Trail

Damascus, VA to Roan Mountain, TN, 75 miles in 7 days, averaging 10-11 miles a day. Total miles traveled so far, 150 miles.  Highlights this week: crossing the border into Tennessee, Watuaga Lake views,  Laurel Fork Falls and Jones Falls.

Things learned this week on the trail:

• Isn’t it supposed to be warmer in the South?!  Don’t believe it, it’s a lie!  It’s been so cold here y’all!  It’s been rainy with temps going in low 30s nightly!

• Weather was so bad that we slackpacked for a day just to be able to stay in a warm cabin instead of our tent. This means we ditched our heavy backpacks for a day, used a day pack and was shuttled 11 miles away to walk back to the cabin to relax in comfort for the night. What a difference a day pack makes!

• Trail Magic and Angels really do exist.  We had read about this but hadn’t experienced it yet. Trail magic is all sorts of food given to hikers (such as hamburgers, hotdogs, candy, drink, chips, fruit, etc) all for FREE given out usually by former hikers but not necessarily, called Trail Angels.   What a great surprise!

• Be weary of tree roots, they have a way of jumping up and tripping you, leaving you flat on the ground with a face full of leaves and no way of getting up due to a heavy pack on your back.  All you can do is lay there and laugh!

• We’re forgetful.  Putting a shirt on a limb to dry out while getting refills on water is not a good thing for those with memory lapses.  Two miles up a hill memory kicks in and you realize his favorite shirt has stayed behind. Not worth the backtrack to go and get.  I’m sure someone else inherited a nice, stinky shirt. Brad may never make it to Maine on the AT but maybe his shirt will!

• Attempting to get water from a stream (at the end of day when tired) that requires you to walk from rock to rock to get to a spring may leave you coming back with more water than you set out to get!  Wet socks and shoes!

• Not all hostels are created equal. Some are breeding grounds for those who just want to get drunk or stoned. Not our cup of tea. We went to one, unaware, and will not promote it.  Our favorites this week have been:

1. “The Rabbit Hole” run by Rabbit and Cat who offered milkshakes, hot showers and breakfast!

2. “Black Bear Resort” run by Linda and Travis who offered a warm cabin, hot showers and shuttled us wherever we wanted to go — McDonalds for Big Macs and milkshakes!

• I have not mastered the farmer blow. My nose has never dripped so much my entire life as it is now.  My attempt at blowing leaves more on me than on the ground. Sorry... I know, TMI!  Just keeping it real for you!

• Speaking of keeping it real, this part of Tennessee has no privy’s on the trail.  Not that I’m a huge fan of privy’s but at least you have some sort of privacy when there’s one available! UGH! I am sure missing indoor plumbing!!!

• Wouldn’t you think if you walk 150 miles you would lose weight?  I’m really not doing it for that reason but I purposely gained weight ahead of time THINKING I’d walk it off. Oh no! I’ve GAINED additional weight!! Not getting on another scale until I reach Georgia, too depressing! And to top it off, Brad has lost 10 pounds!  I know you women will understand the frustration of that!