Finished the Carolina-Tennessee missing miles at Devils Fork Gap this morning, an easy walk from last night's camp. 8.9 miles today. Generally easy but the hike out of the gap was steep. Made it to Hogback Ridge Shelter ahead of the horde that left Hot Springs on Saturday. Scrubbed off four days' dirt with warm water and a bandana. Luxury. Followed a stream out of Boon Cove Road and passed a beautiful waterfall. The woods were much greener on the stretch of trail. Passed the graves of Joe Riddle (1877-1967) and Dorothy Hensley (1865-1965, two days shy of 100) and the ruins of an abandoned homestead justabove the graves. The homestead is along the creek in a wonderfully cool setting. Lots of wildflowers since Hot Springs. Tiny wild iris. The four petaled bluet which is the palest violet, almost white. A small, five-petal white flwer was visible in carpets yesterday. Looked like snow. Around me now at the end of the day are any leaflesss trees. If I look carefully, I can see man buds. Looking into the woods, green is evident everywhere. Spring is slowly edging up the mountain. Yesterday's flowers and today's waterfall were moments of serene joy. Their beauty overwhelms all the pain and suffering of a hike.
Tomorrow? Resupply at Sam's Gap or Erwin?
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