Government Shutdown Trip B - Day 6

Last day of the unexpected hiking getaway... Up early (0600) in Elizabethton, packed and cleaned, ate breakfast at the hotel and got on the road (0800). Drove to Erwin, parked at Indian Grave Gap on TN-395 (same place as yesterday) and started SOBO at 0850. Temps started in the high 20s and warmed into the 30s during the leg so I only needed two layers. The sun never really came out but there was good visibility throughout the morning. I saw individual footprints in the snow but never saw people or animals. For most of the section, I did hear a woodpecker loudly working away somewhere above me. The snow was slippery and there were several places where the trail may have had two inches of flat space for a footfall before dropping precipitously into the valley below. The section skirted the midline of several 3.5K hills but I only really crossed one. My hike took me around the inside of a huge letter “C”, with a constant view of Erwin. In other words, I could see the start and end point of the section for the entire day. The trail was slightly downhill on the outbound leg and I made good time to my turnaround point, Curley Maple Gap Shelter. Headed back immediately but had more trouble on the slippery snow-covered trail, slowing me down significantly. The distance was comparable to yesterday (~8.5) but it took me almost 30 minutes longer (finished at 1205). Changed clothes at nearby Rock Creek Recreation Area and then hit the road for home. Got on I-26 and headed north. Had some good phone calls with Erin and Eileen. Lowlight: almost run off the road by a semi-truck near Marion. Used I-81 all the way to Raphine, where I got a gas fill-up (1530). Made plans via phone and text to meet the Twins for dinner and arrived in Harrisonburg at 1715. I told the Twins I was at Cracker Barrel. Brenna called to tell me she was on her way to meet me but I had to text a lot with Erin to convince her to come. Brenna and I started out with some food and had a nice chat. Eventually, Erin arrived with Austin and we enjoyed and even bigger dinner (they had good appetites). Brenna called Mollie on FaceTime and we talked for a little while. Everyone was in very good spirits by the time I left for home at (1900). Used I-81 and I-66 to get back to Alexandria (good speed and light traffic). Home by 2030! Hoping to work tomorrow... Walked over 100 miles (50+ new AT miles) during the Shutdown - hope I don’t have to wait too long for the next hiking trip! AT Today = 4.10 miles / G.T. AT = 1332.02 miles]