It rained all night long. The same bone chilling rain that got us yesterday, but with one difference—it got much more intense. Bunny decided that she was too warm on the top bunk (after all the complaining I have heard of cold the last few nights) and crawled down to the lower bunk for the night. In the process, she “accidentally” bumped the thermostat down 5 degrees. I awoke with chills and a moderately full bladder which necessitated a trip down before I could fall back asleep.
We had set the alarm for 8, but extended it to 9 when the rain still hadn’t let up. At 9, we decided to pack up and check out at 10, make extended use of the porcelain facilities, then have lunch at the restaurant when it opens at 11. We were giving Mother Nature every possibility to chill. I went to the hiker kitchen to fill my bladder (the drinking one in my pack and not getting coffee) when guess who is sitting there eating a box of macaroni and cheese…Patches! We shared our delaying plans with her and she agreed to meet us at 11.
By the time we got all of our morning chores done it was only 10:30. We headed down to the restaurant. We ran into Stickers and Lady Bug as they were just getting in. They showed us a video of the overflowing streams they had to cross to get down to the NOC. This added another level of doubt for us. We found Patches with Mizman sitting across from the Outfitter. Mizman has already been honing his Yogiing techniques for later up the trail. Today, he had gotten a large coffee from the outfitter by displaying his sad eyes and tales of woe from the last day.
They let us in the restaurant 5 minutes before opening. We ordered our food, but when Mizman ordered his, he also ordered a beer—an ominous sign. The rain just wouldn’t let up. We watched the Nantahala River continue to rise and rise. Everyone started hemming and hawing about taking a zero day. I said I would do whatever as long as it was unanimous. I’m pretty sure it was Patches who said “Can I see a beer menu?” The die has been cast.
Several other thru-hikers came in and out the rest of the day. Stickers and Lady Bug came in and had lunch with us. During all this time, the rain never let up. Around 4, I decided to go secure our cabin reservation for the night. When I got back, it was just the four of us left. Stickers came back in to pick up a pizza for supper. We had a Ferris Bueler moment when he came over to the table; “What are you still doing here? The restaurant is closing—go home.”
Truth of the matter is that we are not quitters. We opened the restaurant and by gawd we will close it down. Our legs, feet, and hips have been carrying the load for the last few weeks, it’s time for our livers to step up and do their share.
We headed up to our cabin to get settled in. Bunny decided that she needed food. I remember going to bed and sleeping soundly. The only problem was that this happened on a bench in the hiker kitchen. Mizman got me back into my own bed and left me a full liter of water. I don’t know if this was the kind of rest I needed or if I slept well, but I was out for the night.
EFG
Both times I stayed at NOC the river was flooding. I remember having fresh trout at the restaurant. Great place!
This was the wettest February on record for the area