North Carolina

Good riddance Georgia; hello North Carolina. We have finally made it into North Carolina, and we are pumped. We unsuccessfully attempted to post a blog near the border in Hiawasee, GA, but my phone would not let me post the update. Nice that we paid for service that we are not really getting to use. Anyway, North Carolina is absolutely beautiful. We are about thirty five miles into the first in flight state, and the weather and trails are beyond perfect. Today we encountered three trail magics...talk about southern hospitality. First we ran into a couple of guys handing out coffee, tea, honey buns, fruit and other breakfast stuff about four miles from our campsite. Then we found a handful of Capri Suns in a waterfall. Finally, we got off the trail at Winding Stair Gap and there was an elderly couple and their friends handing out cold drinks and snacks at the roadside. To finish off the perfect day, a Vietnam Vet showed up and gave us a ride into Franklin, NC for the night in the back of his pickup. Although we don't expect the royal treatment often, it definitely restores your faith in humanity to have someone go out of their way to help you out. We continue to meet good people, and spirits are high even though Jessica has a healthy dose of poison ivy and I am waging a war against chaffing. As Matt Webb will attest, North Carolina is one of the most beautiful states in the country, and we are soaking it up. With tough trail ahead and about a week until we enter the Smokies in Fontana, we hope for the best and look forward to seeing you on the trail. P.S. 105 miles down...let's see, that's 5% down. Also, wild boars are not friendly...at all.