Roan Mountain, TN (USA)

I slept late! It happened a few times this weekend but I'm going to let it slide - my room was pitch dark and I felt comfy and it was a holiday weekend. I ate breakfast at McDonalds in Hampton (0815). Once I was ready to leave town, I used US-19E to get back to Buck Mountain Road again - this time, I took Walnut Mountain Road to the AT (after passing the trailhead a few times). Started NOBO at around 0900 and was pleasantly surprised by a cool breeze along the ridge. There were clouds and the temperatures had not yet passed 80 while I was on the trail, which made the relatively flat section seem "easy." I didn't see anyone until I was about a mile from US Forest Service Road 293, when I encountered a local man and his dog (black lab) out for a short walk. I talked to him for quite a while, learning more about the shuttle service in the area, the remarkable value of ginseng plants along the trail, the delayed foliage and other events/trails in the area. After parting ways with him, I finished my outbound leg before heading back towards my car. I passed the man and his dog again on the way back, along with two other (Section?) hikers. It started to get hotter and I still had a very long drive ahead of me - was debating internally about whether to stop for the day or try some trail on the other side of the road. As I was mulling over the plan, I came around a bend where there was a huge tree blocking the path and saw a patch of black fur. At first, I remembered the black lab and wondered how he could have gotten so far away from his owner. But it suddenly dawned on me that it was a BEAR! And he realized I was there at the same moment. Seconds later, I watched as he ran away down the trail, surprisingly quick for his well-prepared-for-winter size (belly fat rolling along with his strides). Like so many of my animal encounters, I only had enough time to marvel at my fortune and regret missing a chance at a photo. Continued to the road and, after changing my shirt, decided to hike another few miles to the east. This part of the section was almost completely downhill to the Mountaineer Shelter. I dreaded the backtrack climb but didn't want to go home yet. Didn't see any other people but encountered some deer in the ravine below the road. This part of the trail was much more damp, muddy and covered in rhododendron bushes. I also got to see the leaves falling steadily (along with a branch that narrowly missed hitting me). After turning around, I made pretty decent time back to my car, fighting some pain, fatigue and overheating again. Finished at about 1315 after almost 10 miles. But I was glad I added the extra distance to my day - the longer drives make it imperative that I maximize the hikes when I get the chance to get away... Speaking of the drive: decided to cross the mountain into North Carolina on my return trip, picking up US-421 in Boone and using I-40 & I-85 to get to I-95. Got to talk to Bonnie during the drive. Made a stop for gas in Wilkesboro, NC (1500) and another for fuel and dinner in Colonial Heights, VA (1855). Much less traffic on this route than I'd been seeing on I-81, although it might be a longer distance. Regardless, I have that alternative (if needed) to get to/from the hiking zone again. Glad I made the trip into the mountains and look forward to another visit! AT Today = 4.80 miles / G.T. AT = 1202.22 miles