Night Fourteen – Wayah Bald Shelter
When you are out on the trail things like weekdays and weekends don’t really hold much weight and the only thing that makes you notice the difference is perhaps a few more weekend hikers along the trail. The problem with this is when you realize you might have to carry a bunch more weight because the post office is closed for a holiday weekend and the package you were planning on sending home has no way to get there. After scheduling a shuttle back to the trail I was at the mercy of the shuttle driver to see if he would be willing to mail my box on Tuesday. I was so relieved when he came to pick us up and said it was no problem. So a huge shout out to “Bobby the Greek” who shuttled me back to Winding Stair Gap and mailed my package home and even texted me to let me know when it went out. For anyone needing a shuttle around Franklin NC I highly recommend him, super friendly and really went the extra mile.
Today was the first nice weather day I had gotten in a long time. With starting in February I had been expecting a fair bit of bad weather, but I had hoped to get a few days that were at least clear enough to get some good pictures. The hike up to Wayah Bald was perfect. Cool enough to not be sweating madly and clear enough to get amazing pictures. There is a huge old stone fire tower at the top and placards so you can identify all the various peaks in the distance. It was my first chance to get to see the Smokies in the distance knowing I will be hiking them soon.
The hike down to the shelter was equally nice and as I got close I was scouting for some good, dry fallen wood I could use for a campfire. With all the rain it was slim pickings, but I found a few pieces. I was determined to have a campfire and hammock under the stars without my tarp. When we got to the shelter and I started setting up my hammock instead of staying in the shelter Mad Dog kept saying I could just hang the hammock up in the shelter. I explained I wanted to be able to look up at the stars but he just seemed annoyed I wasn’t going to be in the shelter. I’m honestly confused how I keep meeting people who seem to need to be around other people, yet chose to start their hikes in February. There aren’t that many people on the trail that early, so it seems weird to pick that start time if having people close by is important to you.
I had gotten dinner cooked and while Mad Dog went off to hang his bear bag I got to work on making a fire. It wasn’t big but it was nice to get the smell and atmosphere that a fire brings. I stayed out until it was nothing but a few glowing embers and then nestled into my hammock to stare up at the stars.
