Jackanapes

 It’s been a tough Day 24 and 25 but we’re plugging along - lots of rain hiking up Roan Mountain yesterday, then Songbird and I woke up to a case of food poisoning this morning. But we took it easy for a bit and then managed to make it into a hostel this afternoon , and are feeling much better now (got some meds and drank a lot of electrolytes). Might take an unplanned zero day tomorrow if we’re not 100% yet.

 Rainy morning stroll up Unalaska Mountain, easy afternoon walk to Cherry Gap Shelter. Got there early which was good because about 10 people showed up around 5pm! Only room for a few more in the shelter, the rest had to camp in the rain 😢 But it wasn’t too wet.

 Made it to Irwin! Glad to be resting for the afternoon. Lots of thru-hikers are going to Trail Days (an annual AT festival in Damascus, VA this weekend) but not us, so we might have the trail to ourselves for a few days starting tomorrow.

 Morning rush (Sonic saw a big bear butt disappearing down the trail) to meet up with a friend of Songbird’s for the afternoon. Then summited Big Bald Mountain before the shelter.

Bit of a sloggy day but then stumbled upon The Southern Cookie Lady doing trail magic. Passed the 300-mile mark and saw a baby deer in the afternoon. Heading into Irwin, NC TN the day after tomorrow.

 Had a lazy pleasant morning in Hot Springs (got new shoes!) before an afternoon hike to Standing Mountain Shelter. Surprised a bear cub up in a tree on the way - he scampered off over a ridge (probably to find Mom) and we hung out for a bit to give them some space before continuing on in a mostly-different direction.