June 23rd: Earl Final Chapter, Bear Sighting, loooong hills, Nice Day

---

We were up about 7AM packing things and making breakfast. Had to wait until 8
for Johnny to come in so I could settle our bill. We also needed to make a call
to Micki about our next re-supply box. Managed to get all that done and was ready
to hit the trail, and in walks Earl! He had rested and ate well and spent the
night at the hostel. Walked eight miles to the shelter the next day, 12 the day
after and had done 4.2 miles this morning into town. He was in fine shape and
spirits. After cleaning up he was headed back home to NC.
Why do they put all the towns at the bottom of such big mountains? Erwin, elev
1,700'. High Rocks, 4,180' all we seemed to do today was climb, climb and climb
some more. Not sure what the temp was but the humidity was high as the sweat was
slowly evaporating from my shirt and dripping off my elbows. The nice thing about
the climb was leaving all the noise and rushing people behind. Even the train
horn soon faded to a whisper. Birds were singing and leaves rustling.
We made the first six miles in three hours walking into No Business Knob
Shelter just after noon. A young man came out of the shelter and pointed toward
a bear he had just scared off. I saw only the rump as it dropped off the ridge.
CC saw nothing and was glad for that, she has been praying them away. We had
planned to eat there, but now it was out of the question. We pressed on, the
young man headed for town
and the bear ambled off in his own direction. Within minutes of leaving the
ridge we met a pair of NoBo's and filled them in on the situation, they gave us
a water report. The whole south has been in a drought for some time now. It is
such a concern to us we considered flipping to ME from Erwin; but decided to
trust the Lord to provide for us as He has for the first 670 miles.
After lunch it was more up hill. Stopped at Spivey Gap near US19W for water in
a small creek. As I was about to drop the filter hose in the water, a huge
crayfish came out of the shadows into the light. He was almost eight or so
inches long, looked like a small lobster. I called CC to come and look, while
she was walking down I saw a couple of Rainbow Trout swimming in the shadows
also. They were about the same length as the crayfish, surprised to see such
large fish in such a shallow stream. Filled one water bag and headed up the last
two miles and change to Whistling Gap and camp.
Made camp in just over an hour. Went down to check the water source and found
a stagnant pool. Checked my drinking water bag and was not happy. I should have
checked it down by the stream, it was nearly empty. We had enough extra water
for supper and breakfast and CC still had about a liter in her bag. I will have
to sip her water for the first three miles in the morning until we hit the next
spring.
Made a small fire to burn our trash after supper. Don't want any smelly stuff
near camp now we are in known bear country. We have been hearing about problem
animals for the past few days. The one I saw at the last shelter has been
pestering folks there for over two weeks. Seems they had a late freeze down here
this spring. Caused the berry crop to fail and now the bears are looking for
anything and everything to eat. Food is hung high tonight and our packs are
empty in the vestibules of our tent. 8:45PM, CC has been out for 30 minutes. She
had problems sleeping last night and said all day she was tired. Now that I'm
caught up on all my typing, time for me to call it a day also. 13.5 miles today
and 13.4 to do tomorrow. Day after tomorrow we will hit the 700 mile mark.

Patrick, Deborah Mooney aka OD & CC
All Who Wander Are Not Lost

---