Week 3 - 2021

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

Roan Mountain, TN to Erwin, TN — 51 miles in 6 days, averaging 8.5 miles a day. Total miles travelled so far, 201 miles.  Highlights for this week: Views from Roan Mountains, views from Beauty Spot, crossing into North Carolina, and trail magic 2x.

Things learned on the trail this week:

• This. Week. Was. HARD!!!  A week of questioning our sanity in doing this.  I may or may not have said, “we think this is FUN?! The Roan Mountains (as my brother so appropriately renamed, the GROAN Mts) really tested our stamina and endurance. So much up and down in elevation , up (hard to breathe), down (hard on knees).  Weather went from being hot to windy, rainy and so cold — not a lot of mileage to claim, but I can proudly say, WE MADE IT!! 

• I snore.  Never knew I did but I’ll be darned, woke myself right up a few times as a snort was escaping.  And to think for years I have been waking Brad up to tell him to roll over cuz he was snoring; I wonder now if it was really ME?!

• We did pass into North Carolina this week. Although now we’re in Tennessee again.  I guess the AT weaves in and out of the two states for some time so we don’t know if we’re coming or going, or where we are most the time.

• It’s mating season for the owl.  So much hooting and screeching has been happening these past few nights that lasts for hours! They need to just have their fun, get their business done and let us sleep!

• Went through a torrential wind and rainstorm that lasted 6 hours that had our tent moving and leaning even while staked down. Now that’s in-tents!    Between the owls and the storms, I am getting cranky and need my sleep!

• We think about food all the time now. I think our “hiker hunger” has hit.  Conversations with others on the trail usually consists of  food, especially if there’s trail magic ahead.  One day on the trail was a great surprise of bratwurst, fruit, drink and candy, and our second surprise was today - a full spread of assorted salads, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, drink and an assortment of desserts, my favorite! 

• Another hostel that we’re happy to promote this week is Mountain Harbour. Great accommodations and the food ... unbelievable!!!  Gourmet burgers for supper and a huge gourmet breakfast!

• All this talk of food and what we’ve been eating and I wonder WHY I’m gaining weight??!!  Oops, that’s right, not going to talk about the issue of weight until Georgia!

• Met  a young couple in the mountains that in passing proclaimed they just got engaged!  I know their marriage will last because they wanted to hear our advice for a happy, long marriage.  Well...happy wife, happy life.  No, of course I did NOT say that!

• Y’all, guess what?!  Had my first privy in a long time — but this one is noteworthy!  A privy with a view!!  Wait till you see the picture!  I felt like a queen sitting upon her throne looking out over my kingdom!  (picture is in photos)