Government Shutdown Trip B - Day 5

Was awake at 0545 and spent some time packing and cleaning up the room. The temperature was just over 20 degrees in town his morning - brrrr!!!! I was not in the mood to immediately venture into the higher elevations for my hike and decided to wait until the sun warmed up the trail. I checked out of my hotel (0745), ate a leisurely breakfast in Franklin (finished at 0830) and headed northeast on US-23 until I reached I-40. Took the interstate to the west and got on NC-209, bound for Hot Springs. This is one of the most remote parts of the AT south of Maine and it sometimes takes hours to drive between two AT points that are only 30 miles apart - it seemed like a good day to try to chip away at the big mileage I still have left in that area. First tried to find a road that went to Max Patch and located one (Caldwell Mountain Road) near the town of Spring Creek. Followed that until l reached NC-1175 and then used NC-1181 to reach Max Patch Road (NC-1182) - there were signs helping me all the way. Up to that point, the swerving, steep paved roads had good traction but the road to the summit was gravel and got progressively icier as I climbed - I had to give up and turn around about a mile from my destination. Backtracked to NC-1175 and followed it until I reached NC-209 again. Somehow (senior moment?), I ended up turning the wrong direction and ended up back in Spring Creek (grrrr!), Got going again in the right direction and explored another place where the trail supposedly crossed a road (Garenflo Gap) just outside of the city limits. That road turned out to be too rough for Nellie so I gave up again. Drove through town and headed east on US-25/70 until I got to NC-208. There was supposed to be another crossing on that road before I reached the TN/NC border but I couldn't find it. Denied three times, I decided to drive over to I-26 next (via NC-212) and arrived in Erwin, where I filled up the gas tank (1315). The weather had improved tremendously (high 30s) but all the peaks (most around 4K feet) around town were shrouded in white. Took a gamble and used TN-395 (AKA Rock Creek Road) to try to find where it crossed the AT and was successful this time! I discovered that the trailhead on the NC/TN border was Indian Grave Gap - I had never hiked in area, but had mapped out a strategy a long time ago to complete it in 3-5 mile sections. The climb to "The Beauty Spot", was supposed to be around three miles so I quickly geared up and headed NOBO (1330). It was sunny and cool but the trees initially shielded me from any winter breezes. I wore two layers (but brought more) and felt comfortable. Almost the whole section was a climb and, as I went higher, the snow got deeper (probably no more than two inches at worst). That didn't bother me because the trail had been worn down by other hikers before me. The views from the tree covered ridge were tremendous but they got better when I reached a huge bald with views in every direction. It was a lot colder up there but I took lots of pictures and marveled at the vistas. Kept going until I saw a parking area for the Beauty Spot Gap (about 100 yards off the trail) but didn't want to turn around until I crossed a road - after a descent, I found one (USFS-230) about half a mile to the north. Started back immediately, torn between staying on the bald until sunset and wondering what my next destination would be before I had to get home the following day... On the way down, I encountered a "trio of aunts" (day hikers with no gear) and a "trio of moms" (day hikers with gear, including "chili and hot chocolate"). I also saw a dad and his daughter - he had brought her up to the Gap to see snow since there wasn't any in town. Finished my hike at 1615 and was surprised to learn from the AT guide that I'd hiked almost 8 miles - I double and triple checked it because I couldn't imagine I'd gone so far. Must have really gotten my trail legs back during the last few months! Felt great after the satisfying hike and decided to stay overnight in Elizabethton so I could try another section tomorrow. Ate dinner at Taco John's in Elizabethton (1700). After making plans with the Twins for the following day, I checked into the Travelers Inn (1730) and relaxed in my room (read, watched TV). I went to bed at 2230. Sometimes I just get lucky and stumble across an AT section that I never heard of or imagined hiking before I woke up that morning. Today was such a day - may there be many more! AT Today = 3.90 miles / G.T. AT = 1327.92 miles