Elizabethton, TN (USA)

Basically, I got almost no sleep last night (after only getting in bed at around 0200 and receiving some texts and calls from Brenna about the car). My original hiking plans for the weekend were therefore a bit derailed. Still, I wasn’t about to give up or leave my long week empty handed! After waking up in Rural Retreat this morning, I drove for about an hour (I-81, VA-91, VA-133/TN-133) to a hiking zone just south of the VA-TN border (MacQueen Gap), stopping for gas breakfast in Glade Springs, VA (0820). At the AT trailhead, started SOBO at 0915. Felt rusty & tired and it was warmer than I’d expected. Kept going, though, and found a familiar looking turnaround point from 2014 (north of US-421). Only saw three hikers (one SOBO Thru and a pair of Sections) but saw a few other cars on the narrow gravel Forest Service Road (in/out). During the backtrack, mulled over whether to go straight to another zone before the expected rain showers or wait until later in the day (I settled on the latter). Finished my hike at around 1145 (after around five miles) and headed towards Elizabethton (TN-91) to recharge. Checked into Travelers Inn in Elizabethton (1300) and unpacked/showered. Hoping to get back on track in the evening... After a power nap, I felt ready to tackle more trail! Drove about 20 miles to the southeast to tackle some hills on the North Carolina border - I’d been unable to locate the trailhead in the area when I last visited in 2014 (didn’t have a good map). Started NOBO from the parking lot on 19E at 1730, walking along Bear Branch Road initially so I could get a quicker start. It had rained in the area before I got there and everything was drenched and muddy. Ran into a dad and his three kids who were finishing a five day hike from Damascus - everyone was in great spirits! Climbed for over an hour and was treated to some amazing views to the east - tall peaks, shrouded in mist and building clouds. Saw a spectacular rainbow that was so vivid it didn’t seem real (camera couldn’t capture it clearly, unfortunately). Also encountered many of the ubiquitous rhododendrons that define the ridges in the region - they made dark tunnels whenever the trail meandered from fields into forest. It was much cooler than during my morning hike - there was a nice breeze too. Turned around at the Isaac Cemetery, just as the sun was setting, and had enough time to backtrack to Bear Branch Road with twilight (barely). Startled a few deer but didn’t see any other animals or people. The last part of the section was more difficult (rocks and routes) so I had to use my iPhone light to finish. Back at US-19E (and my car) by 2000 after almost seven miles. Picked up dinner (AKA lunch for tomorrow) at Subway in Hampton (2035) and then got ice cream at McDonalds (2040) nearby. Back at the hotel, watched TV and read before bed. Was definitely feeling tired but also felt recharged after my two sections today. Only downside was some ankle pain - not sure of the source. Will reassess tomorrow - can’t miss more trail days with such great weather, though! AT Today = 5.60 miles / Grand Total AT = 1193.62 miles