March 20 - A. Rufus Morgan to NOC (bunk house)

When I awoke this morning, I knew it was a short day. I had just one mile to do and I would arrive at the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center). So I took my time and packed up. I was the last to leave the shelter area and I wished everyone a good day as they passed by my tent site !

The AWOL guide noted multiple streams and footbridges ... but there was one place which was really frightening to me.  Water was running down a very steep rock cliff like area and there didn't seem to be an easy step in any direction forward because of the incline. I just stood there and stared at it for awhile and was thankful there was no one behind me wondering why I had come to a dead stop.  As usual, I said a prayer asking the Lord to guide my steps and proceeded forward. A footbridge would have been nice here. Maybe I missed seeing some hand holds or something ... it was really slippery.

Soon I could hear the traffic from the highway and shortly afterward I got my first view of the NOC.

I went into the outfitter store and asked about rooms. They gave me directions over the bridge and up the hill to the stone building.

I went into the River's End Restaurant eagerly anticipating a great breakfast.  I was seated at a table next to those who had spent the night at A. Rufus Morgan Shelter and they invited me to join them. I really appreciated the courtesy because I've never enjoyed dining alone.

 Across the table from me was Johnny Cash and next to him was Bean and Vice (they didn't come out of their sleeping bags at the shelter the night before) and it was nice to meet them. At the end near the window is Broken Pack (he received his trail name because his first two L.L. Bean packs broke due to an inherent flaw). Just Dan is next to him. We all ENJOYED IMMENSELY our food. It was such a leisurely breakfast because we had no where to be ... just relaxing for the rest of the day and enjoying the beautiful weather.  We watched a group of people learn about kayaking. They practiced throwing ropes for quite some time.  The water was so COLD; I guess they were wearing wet suits.

After breakfast, I table hopped and joined Hermes, Movie Star and Carlie (possibly Rainbow Braid) as they had breakfast. We've been traveling from place to place at around the same speed OR at least I would finally arrive after they have been there awhile.  Movie Star was going to hike out and continue on to Fontana Dam but Hermes and Carlie were spending the night at the NOC.  Carlie and I got a bunk room together. She recently graduated from college and lives in Kennesaw, GA - about an hour North of where I live.  Carlie had waist length hair before the start of her hike and cut it all off in a cute pixie style except for one long (almost waist length narrow) strip which she braided. She has a rainbow striped hat and so we tossed around possible trail names -- Rainbow Tail or Rainbow Braid.  

I went to the outfitter and bought new trail runners.  The Salomon Synapse had been comfortable until getting crusted with mud and hardened. Then the left one began to crease and hit my left big toe just below the nail and I developed a sore blister there. I hiked in my Teva Hurricane XLT sandals for the past two days which worked out fine. I chose Brooks Cascadia 8 trail runners but the color is really loud -- turquoise and salmon. They are comfortable though and I hope they work out well for me. Time will tell.

Spent the day talking with Hermes and Carlie and sitting in the sun. Soaked my right foot (plantar fascia) in the ice cold river. 




Had dinner with Carlie and Hermes at the same restaurant; really enjoyed a great hamburger, fries and a beer. Guard (from North Carolina) wandered into the restaurant and Carlie asked if he wanted to join us for dinner. I had met his buddy Freight Train enroute to Albert Mt. He said Guard was ahead of him but had "blown out his knee" but Hermes had loaned him a knee brace and they were getting off the trail at the next forest service road. I was surprised to see Guard. He was back on the trail after getting some anti-inflamatory meds but Freight Train had stayed behind.  The restaurant closes early - 7 PM and I retired to the bunk room for the night.  Forecast was for a very cold night (again) in the teens but our room was very warm and it was difficult for me to sleep. I couldn't turn off the heat. I'm not complaining; it just seemed weird that we were out of the cold but then it was too hot in the room for me to sleep.