April 2, 2016 - Day 15

The day began dry...too dry as they had run out of water the night before and had no water for coffee or breakfast.  They were planning on hitting the next trail town and weren't looking forward to the long dry hike.

A few miles down trail was the Burningtown Gap (mile 124.4) and at the Gap was the Burningtown Baptist Church with biscuits and gravy, hot coffee, OJ, homemade cookies and brownies.  They fueled up (physically and spiritually), replenished their water and off they went.  They all talked about how just when they need it, there are trail angels there to help them.  The folks from the church reminded them "Well you know, you ARE in the Bible Belt!"

The food made a world of difference and they were feeling good when they reached the top of the next mountain.  And even better when they reached the Wesser Bald Observation Tower at mile 130.6.  The observation tower used to be a fire tower and now is mostly enjoyed by AT hikers.  They can see the Great Smoky Mountains and Fontana Lake to the north.

Ken stood up there like he was king of the world!  Based on how his hair is sticking straight up, it looks like the tower also gets a bit of a breeze.



Ken at Wesser Bald Observation Tower
 

While at the tower, they met a Sargent and Lieutenant of the Macon County Sherriff department who were doing a weekend hike.  What was remarkable was that one of them had their 8 year old son with them!  This young man would go on to complete 15 miles that day!  He sure was having fun, as Ken's video shows:

 

This day also resulted in some concerns for our travelers.  Jill had her first fall.  Nothing serious, a slightly scraped knee.  But she did lay like a turtle on its back when she decided to take a rest, since she was already on the ground.  Some day hikers helped her up and she caught up with the guys, who were hiking ahead of her.  Dennis' knees were also bothering him.  Ken is starting to get his legs under him and is walking ahead of the other two for an hour and then will wait for them to catch up.  People that have tried to keep up with him around home all say he can walk the legs off a deer.  One young (20 something) hiker is now calling him "John Deer".  He may have found his trail name, though he denies it.  He always says it hurts his motor to go so slow, but I worry he may be out-pacing his companions or may be setting himself up for injury.

They hiked down the mountain 6 miles and made it to the A. Rufus Morgan Shelter at Mile 136.3.  The shelter is named after the Nantahala AT Club's founder.  They set up camp and were very tired after their 15-mile day.

Mile 136.3
Elevation 2,300