Day 51 - Tuesday, August 2

Linda

Slept late this morning, then took our time drying things off and packing up. I took another shower to start the day off right, then we finished off the pie. We figured since it was already 9:30, and we were way beyond getting an early start, we might as well have breakfast at the restaurant. We went in and had eggs, toast, homefries and OJ. A great way to start the day, even if it was after 10:00 when we finished. The sky was very clear and it seemed much cooler for the moment when we started hiking. We ended up walking the couple miles back to the trail, since we didn't have any luck getting a ride, so it was 10:45 before we started any countable distance for the day. It didn't take us long to get to the lean-to where we should have gone yesterday. We found it in good condition, contrary to what we had heard. Ronald lamented for a moment about wimping out at Dean's Ravine the day before and then we went on.

The trail through that section was very easy, so we made good time. Met a Northbounder, Rich Hellman, and talked for a long time. He filled us in on some enticing details about the Graymoor Monastery. We are planning to be there by Saturday, and are really looking forward to staying there. We hear the brothers are very gracious to hikers. After leaving Rich, we went on 5 more miles to Red Mt. Lean-to and fixed dinner. There are three lean-tos within a couple miles along with two picnic grounds, then nothing for 14 miles. Doesn't make sense, but what can you do? We went on for another 6 miles over some pretty farm areas and a ski slope, then finally to Colt's Foot Mt. where we camped for the night. We tried to get caught up on some writing till the bugs got too bad. They kept flying into the candle and getting zapped. However, the weather certainly was an improvement over last night.

Ron

We slept till 7:30 this morning. Neither of us wanted to get up and face the rest of the cleanup. We finally got organized and completed the task of cleaning an packing the equipment. I knew that as soon as we stop and call my parents, the first thing I'll ask for is the tent back. You can bet Linda will make sure of it. We both took second shower and were ready to go by 9:30.

The smell of breakfast cooking in the coffee shop was so inviting, that we decided to stop and eat. We finished up and were on our way by 10:00. It took up 45 minutes to get back to the soggy camp where we left the trail last night. A mile and a half later we passed the dry Pine Knoll Lean-to where we should have gone last night.

For the next ten miles the trail just traveled along a flat area with occasional ups and downs. We stopped at Red Mountain. Lean-to for dinner and were quizzed by a man and his kids about our journey. Not having gone very far to this point, we decided to try and walk another six miles to at least have a good mileage day.

We made our mileage with few problems. The climb up Coltfoot was a bit troublesome with it's many ledges, but we made it to the top and are camped right along the trail. We still managed to make good mileage despite our late start.

(16.5 Miles - 690.7 Total)