Week 4 - 2021

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

Erwin, TN to Hot Springs, NC — 70 miles in 7 days, averaging 10 mile days.  Highlights this week:  We are at the halfway point - 270 miles, rolling mountain views of NC and TN, and trail Magic.

Things learned on the trail this week:

• The “honeymoon period” is over!  Our first two weeks now seem like a walk in the park compared to what we’ve experienced these past two weeks. It’s just been plain HARD!   We both came down with colds which sapped our energy; Brad hurt his ankle and blew out his shoes; the weather has continued to be rainy, windy and so cold (have even been caught in a hailstorm!).  Overall, we’re still loving our time out here but reality has definitely set in.

• If I EVER mention to any of you that I plan to go backpacking in April or even May again, you have permission to bop me side the head and remind me how cold it was.  Those who know me, know I love the HEAT and not being cold!!

• MISSING: trail legs ... we’ve been told from week one that we’d “find” our trail legs within the first month and be able to walk 15-20 miles a day. If anyone finds some missing trail legs, could you please send them our way?!

• Brad has walked his butt off, literally! Poor guy has to keep his drawers ‘hiked’ way up (like that pun?!) - you remember Urkel on Family Matters, yep, that’s my husband and his drawers!

• I apologize if my silly humor offends anyone, when all you do is walk 8-10 hours a day you have to start finding fun and humor in yourself and each other, otherwise it just becomes a boring walk. We’ve laughed so much with/at each other, over the silliest of things but it’s been great!

• We’re slackers!  Setting up and taking down a soaked tent (while you’re soaked) is not much fun, but if we’re able to work it out on a rainy day where we can slack pack - we’re all in!  There’s nothing like carrying a day pack and returning wet to a shower and warm bed after walking in rain all day.

• I think I’m obsessed with Trilliums (now that I know what flower they are), the fields are full of them and they’re so beautiful.  I’ve included more pics of different ones for you to enjoy. I’ve also included some different flowers and plants and hope you can tell me what they are.

• The Rhododendrons are not only growing wild in VA, but also in NC and TN.  I forgot to mention before but the “tunnels” they’ve made through the rhododendrons is the neatest thing.  I’ve tried to get pictures, but you know how it is with pictures not really capturing it’s true beauty - you just have to experience it firsthand.

• We have the best grandkids ever!  Both families have sent us goodies on the trail!  Thank you to Bryce, McKenze, Ryan Jr and Lauryn for keeping us well fed and nourished!

• Another great place to stay: Nature’s Inn and Hostel, Amy and Taft were our hosts, cute cabin with enclosed porch, the bathhouse was probably the best so far ( it all comes down to whose got the showers now!) Every night like clockwork, there were Mountain goats that would appear on the rocky cliffs above the complex. Sorry, too far away to get good pictures.

• Traveling SOBO has its pros and cons that I will explain in more detail in another post.

• We’ve seen a lot of graves on the trail, I’m wondering if we should be concerned?!

• We were 4 miles away from trail magic (news travels fast on the trail) and thought there was no way they would still be there by the time we arrived. Not only were “Mickey and Minnie” (the trail angels) still there with food, they offered to take us into the next town because Brad couldn’t walk any further due to his ankle and blown out shoes. We tried to pay them for shuttling us, but the true trail angels they are, they refused. We hope to be able to someday spread that same love and generosity to others on the trail.  My only regret is I never got pictures of them to share with you.

• When in Hot Springs, do what the Hot Springers do and go get a mineral bath. Tootaloo and off we go ...  awww!