I didn’t quite succeed in my goal to be completely packed tonight but I’m not far. I really just have little odds and ends. I do have a tiny load of laundry to do and that’s about it.

I feel a lot better now that our transportation is confirmed. It really couldn’t have worked out better. Another hiker contacted me and he’s hiking the very same section starting the Friday we end. He’s also hiking on to Fontana and putting a re-supply box at the Nantahala Outdoor Center so he’ll be there anyway. So we’ll drive to Deep Gap, hike a short mile to Standing Indian Shelter, and start the hike to NOC on Monday as scheduled. When we meet him at NOC he’ll take us back to Deep Gap and start his own hike.

So all of the pieces are falling into place and things are looking up. Well, except for the weather. I was really hoping for some cooler weather than we’ve been having in Florida. Right now the forecast in Franklin is for high 80s/low 90s and lows in the high 50s/low 60s. There’s also at least a 20% chance of rain and/or thunderstorms all next week. Oh well, it’ll just make it interesting. 😛