Kevin's AT Thru Hike

Day 10, Saturday, 3/26 – I woke up face down on my sleeping pad at 8:30 this morning, in a puddle of drool. I guess i slept well. I hiked 7.5 miles with Sprite this morning to Winding Stair Gap, which puts me at mile 109.5.

We ran into Liz and Genie along the way and were surprised with Trail Magic at the gap! Mama Goose and Adam had oranges, candy, and chips that they were handing out to hungry hikers.

Liz and Genie offered me some floor space in their hotel room which I accepted. Sunsets gave us a ride from the gap to Hilltop Inn in Franklin. The Hilltop Inn is a roadside motel that I honestly wouldn’t have appreciated if I wasn’t on this hike. Sure it’s oldish, but it has everything I could have hoped for. Clean room, hot shower, and coin laundry onsite. Also, when we were checking in, they changed the room from 1 king to 2 queens, so I have a bed tonight!

We all did laundry once we got in the hotel. In order to wash all of my clothes I was only wearing a rain jacket and rain pants. As laundry was underway i took a hot shower. There was good water pressure, so the shower did not disappoint.

Liz, Genie, and I then headed over to the supermarket for food resupply. Here’s my food for the next 4 days. I’m really stuck on making couscous and salmon for dinner. It’s quick, tastes good, gets me protein, and is about 1,000 calories a meal.

We met up with Sprite, Bryce, Mirage, Hot Dog, and a few other hikers at a Brewery in town. We all sat outside on their patio overlooking a river and hung out for a while.

Sprite, Liz, and Genie all treated me to a birthday dinner at Caffe Rel. What a great dining experience. The food was legitimately good, and not just because I’ve been eating Trail food for the past week and a half. I had crab bisque, a shrimp pasta dish, and a piece of birthday cake. Sprite, Liz, and Genie sang me happy birthday. Man, I really appreciate the hell out of you 3.

I’m glad I’m sleeping in a bed tonight. There’s a low of 23degF tonight and wind gusts up to 40mph. That’s cold.