Day 46, Thursday, March 29. Uncle Johnny’s Hostel—Zero Day

Today was truly just a day of rest for the old folk. Geo, Summit, and Bear Foot were gone before we even thought of waking up. Traveler, Pit Boss, and Play by Play were just leaving as we caught the morning shuttle to McDonalds with Stickers, Lady Bug, and a new Patches (male). We got our laundry, showers, resupply, and beer drinking out of the way yesterday.

The plan for the day includes a nap and, more than likely, another round or two of food. Little Blue came by around lunch time to say goodbye. Grizzly came to pick him up and take him to his house while he rests his ankle. The plan is for him to rejoin all of us in Damascus in about 9 days. The next goal is Damascus next Saturday to celebrate Stickers’ birthday on the 7th of April.

While sitting around in our room, Postcard returned into the known world. We had heard she got a return ride to Sams Gap and we were expecting her to show up last night or today. Now all we need is for the real Patches to show up and spend the night. She went back to the hostel she was staying at last night around 9:30 with the illusion that she was still going to do laundry and hit the trail this morning—I’m laying odds against either of those things happening.

We have heard of a couple more people getting off trail. Pizza tore a tendon in the Smokies and made it much worse hiking out to avoid hypothermia—she’s out for 6-8 weeks, minimum. Madlib had a death in the family and had to get off for a bit which makes it unlikely that she will have enough time to complete her thru-hike and still have time to find a teaching job this fall. Chu Chu had to get off the trail but we’re not sure why. We haven’t heard of Finnegan’s whereabouts for a while but know he got more frost bitten fingers getting into Hot Springs last snow. Dare Devil has been off trail since Gatlinburg and is planning on coming back next week, but we don’t know where. All hiking plans are subject to change.

Stickers and Lady Bug rented bikes to travel around town this afternoon. Before they could go, Dirty R and Grape Stomper showed up; someone had stolen Dirty R’s credit card numbers so he had to get that straightened out before they could leave. We heard they left but come back after 1 mile to spend another night in town. Rain storms are predicted for tonight.

And what about Patches? She showed up around 4 with the intention of still heading out tonight, but she was working on replacing her boot laces. Yada yada yada—she’s sleeping in the bunk above me right now. We knew if she came back, the cats at the hostel would keep her here. I now have one sleeping on my feet that Postcard and she let into our room a few hours ago, and it is raining steadily outside…

We never got our naps or drank our remaining beers today. I guess I will have another case of “resupply flu” tomorrow as we head back up into the mountains. We got to make contact with our off-trail angel, Alice and arrange for our next drop just after Damascus. We also heard about some gear tests that Patrice La Vigne has arranged for us—socks and hiking poles which we will get in Damascus. Justin and Patrice were the inspiration for us to have the nerve to even attempt our “escape.” We have an amazing amount of support behind us. We are very lucky to have such great friends.

EFG