On my own after Roan, but not alone as I roam April 19-21

What a great adventure so far! I’m on the AT. I’ll summarize Sunday thru today.

Saturday night I stayed at a great little hostel called the Refuge. Robert, a former thru- hiker and his wife April owned it. There was a mob of people. I met Lilly again. She was at the shelter where Kris, Rockstar and I ate lunch our first day out. Then there was a lady named Ginger. She was 68 in March (I will be 68 in August.) and she’s section hiking the AT. Her long term goal is also the same as mine/- to finish the trail when she’s 70! Wow!

Sunday I hiked to Mountaineer Shelter, 8.5 miles. Lilly was there when I arrived. Later Pro Shop came. He’s a 32 year old from Spencer, IN! His uncle was the 4-H leader for my daughter when we lived there! Small world! It was just us 3 in the shelter that night.

Yesterday I hiked 12.2 miles to Moreland Shelter. This area was severely damaged by Helene. The shelter only had a tarp for a roof. I slept in my tent. Lilly was there but slept in the shelter. It got really cold last night. 34 degrees! But I was warm in my tent with all my layers. I had my best night of sleep. Today it’s supposed to get to 70! It’s been down in the 50s.

I hike into Hampton TN today to a hostel, the Black Bear. I’ll meet Anita tonight, one of my hiking buddies from Indiana.