Day #0 was my travel day from St. Louis to Erwin Tennessee. I spent 9 1/2 hours in the car and arrived in the late afternoon. Gary Brady, who I hiked with last year, was here waiting for me. We are going to shuttle up the trail and hike over Roanoke Mountain on day one.

I’m at uncle Johnny’s tonight. It’s your typical hiker trash hostel; when you’re cold wet and hungry it’s a wonderful place.

I’ll spend the night wondering why the heck I’m here, but the mountains and rivers are beautiful.

To a young heart everything is fun.

Charles Dickens