Introduction

Hello. We are Robert and Candice Fox. We created this blog for people who want to follow us as we thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. If you don't know what the Appalachian Trail is, we will let our favorite online resources tell you most anything you need to know. Just click on the blue stuff.

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/about-the-trail
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail

*** As this blog is a couple of years old, please follow our latest adventures via our new and infinitely more awesome blog here: http://brokencompassblog.com/ ***

Monday, April 16, 2012

Taking a vacation within a vacation

So it has been awhile... We have been out in the Great Smoky National Park for the past week and have not had any time to post updates. But here we are now in Asheville, N.C. just taking a couple of days off from the trail. This will give us some time to deal with some of the real world issues. Nothing major, we both love Asheville and though it would be good to give our bodies some rest.


The Smokies were fantastic! We lucked out and had beautiful weather most of the time. There was only two nights with lightning storms, we enjoyed them both from inside the shelters. In the mornings following, we were able to lose ourselves in the clouds and watch as the sun slowly burnt off the dense fog. There were a couple nights that our sleeping bags couldn't handle the cold, but we survived with little sleep. We managed with small fires in the fireplaces they build within the shelters. Most of the locals talked about how this year has had the nicest weather they have ever seen. Last year at this time everyone was hiking in 2 ft. of snow and much colder temperatures. So, we will definitely take a couple cold nights over cold and snow. The hiking was amazing. We had countless vast views of the mountains and walks on rocky ridgelines miles away from man-made noise. At Newfound Gap (the main road and middle of the park) we met a couple who sought out all the thru hikers and cooked us ham sandwiches. They were ex-hikers and were extremely generous. We rode the 15 mile winding road down to Gatlinburg in the back of their truck. I was an experience we will never forget. Clear blue sky, mountain air blowing in our faces, views that are not seen with glass in-between. We got to Gatlinburg early, the town sucked us in like the redneck Las Vegas it is, without the gambling that is. We got a hiker rate at the Grand Prix Hotel and booked it for the night. Most all of the hikers make this stop halfway through the park, so they can re-supply. We enjoyed some free wine tasting, craft brews, and fun with other hikers. The same couple drove all of the hikers back up to the gap. There were many of us so they made two trips. We took the second. There were 14 of us in a truck that had a work rack on it. It was a sight to behold, hikers and backpacks dangling all over the place all the way up the mountain. We were a loud and rowdy bunch. After talking to the couple that gave us a ride, they told us the story of their trip on the Trail. The man had hiked half of it with his son, who was about my age, when the son was diagnosed with brain cancer. The doctors told him he only had a month or two to live. They got off the trail and he got treatment. He survived and shortly after, him and his father went back out and finished the trail together. It was a very inspirational story. The rest of the Smokies went quick. We hiked our first 20+ mile day. We decided that we are not going to do that again until we get to flatter ground. It took a lot out of us but we did accomplish our goal of changing the group we were hiking with by hiking past them. The second half of the park was much more rocky and had dramatic ridge lines. Upon leaving the park we stopped at a little hostel out in the mountains to resupply. It is called Standing Bear Hostel and they had bunks, food, and a very hiker oriented theme to the place. We decided to resupply and move on. The next day the trail went to a place called Max Patch. It is a 4,616 ft mountain bald with 360 degree views. The wind was blowing very hard, so it was cold and hard to walk on it. We didn't stick around long. We really wanted to get to town at this point so we hurried and made it to Hot Springs, N.C. It is a small town with the trail going right down Main Street. We wanted to get to Asheville from there so we made a nice little cardboard sign and strapped it to Candice's backpack as we were walking around. It looked kind of ridiculous. We didn't get any ride offers walking around. Some of the guy hikers were talking to three young hippie looking girls and we overheard them say they were from Asheville. So I slyly joined the conversation and got us a ride. It was pretty crazy, we packed in tight with all our gear on our laps in a small car. The driver was acually from Florida and not used to the mountain roads. On top of that we realized they were all taking something (not sure what) and drinking a box of wine. The music was carefree and so was the driving. We both thought we might die. But we did make it to town and if we ever want to stay with some crazy freeloving hippies, we now have that connection. Asheville has been fun, we got a room right outside of downtown. So we have been enjoying the diverse culture and beer that this town has to offer. There are many craft breweries in the area. It is very odd we have been out in the woods so much over the past month that most of our daily chores have become routine. When we first got to town it was somewhat of a culture shock. Asheville is the largest city we have been to since beginning the trail. We were both a little on edge the first day. That quickly went away with some good bbq and beer. We ended up walking around town more than we did while on the trail until we started using the bus transit. Met up with some other thru hikers for some drinks and fun. Also met up with my sisters friends (now our friends) John and Taylor. We taste tested some great beer at The Thirsty Monk bar. From there we got some south of the border treats at Papas and Beer. Taylor hooked us up with one of her old co-workers for a ride back to Hot Springs. So hopefully he is a safer hitch than the last one. Next town is Erwin, TN on the Nolichucky river.

5 comments:

  1. Glad to hear of the connections you are making!!! blow a kiss to ye mountains for us and thank them for the birth of our beautiful daughter! Miss ya''l terribly but as always wishing you safe passage and remember don't feed the bears!

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    1. Kisses blown (and no bear attacks yet)! We enjoyed the city thanks to all of the great times shared there with you both. And we are ever joyous for beatiful Ava coming into the world! Miss ya'll so terribly much!

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  2. Aunt Sue and I check everyday for more news of your trip. We are at Clermont,FL till next Saturday then head back home for a week or so before heading to Baton Rouge, LA to bowl in the U.S. Nationals on May 6th and 7th. Stay safe and love and peace with you both. Uncle Ron

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  3. I just found out I can post comments. I am so enjoying reading your tales and journey's. And am so glad you are having a wonderful and enjoyable journey. Love, Teresa Bierschbach

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    1. Thanks Teresa! We're glad you are enjoying the updates. We're excited to see and catch up with the family again. Hopefully we'll be back in Michigan in time for the next golf outing.

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