Another nice day and all systems Go on the physical front. Hence, a good 12.1 miles- which is very good in the Smokies (I’m told) with this terrain.
Immediately I noticed beds of wildflowers at the base of giant trees that had fallen. Seems like a fitting memorial to these great statesmen of the forest.
Took a big break about halfway and saw this wild turkey. He was fairly unperturbed; must be easy to ‘harvest’ them, as the euphemism goes…
Saw these tree clams today.
Very steep ascent at the end of the afternoon- which was unbelievable: everybody that pooled out at this shelter had something to say about it. ($!#%!!)
Several people at this campsite recognised me from being evacuated at Stecoah Gap! I had caught up to them. Although I kept telling them I was fine now, they insisted I take some magnesium and potassium tablets from them. They said the last time they saw me I was white getting into an ambulance.
As the sun was going down after I’d set my tent up, these deer appeared…
Penultimate 