Days 12 to 14: Changing Winds

I'VE MADE 100 MILES! 

Current Mi: 109.8, Franklin, NC.

Day 12: 

The climb out of Carter Gap was pretty intense, but the views were totally worth it.  Albert Mountain is a short, but very intense climb with a scramble at the top.  Unfortunately the fire tower was locked, but the views were spectacular.  I'm glad it was clear for once.  I was getting tired of seeing trees and fog.  The panorama below was taken from the tower. 

Looking to grab a zero in Franklin to resupply, fix my feet, and get ready for the smokies. Really looking forward to a meal.  I've been accidentally shorting my calories.  It's hard to judge hunger on trail.

Day 13: 

Made it into Franklin.  Has Coffee  and I hitched into town with a few weekend hikers, and a previous thruhiker, Colleen, who unfortunately did not finish.  They were kind enough to bring us to Stamey's Cafe for breakfast and then drop us off in town.  Seriously though the breakfast was killer.  Chicken fried steak, eggs, home fries, toast, a side of fries, and coffee.  Oy vey. Solid start to the town trip.  People are awesome.  

Picked up by another Colin, aka Zen, of the Gooder Grove Hostel.  Really cool place, and he has big plans for the future.  It's a bit rough working out the details, but things are moving along for him.  Clean beds, cool dogs, and a nice location.   

Finally got a chance to weigh myself.  Many thru hikers put on some weight pre-trail to help minimize hunger.  Well....I apparently started this in 2010 when I started eating chips for breakfast as an RA in college.  Anyway, I started the trail a svete 245ish pounds.  I'm not sure how accurate the scale is here...considering it's a retro 70's design, but I came in at 238.  Not bad for less than two weeks hiking.  Maybe I'll create the new fad.  Couch2AT. Eat whatever you want, and just walk off the pounds!  Seriously though. I eat horribly.  Here's a selection of my daily diet:  honey buns, pop tarts, snickers, clif bars, nutella, skittles, summer sausage, jerkey, globs of butter (kerrygold of course, Ellie!), and rice sides.  Then I eat fast food in towns along with buffets.  Best "diet" ever.  

Day 14:  

Zero day.  My feet!  Headed to Outdoor76 to have them take a look at my feet.  Rob spent quite a bit of time with me trying to figure out my heel problems.  It looks like I've got the early stages of achilles tendonitis likely caused by the boots or overuse.  Trying out some new insoles to see if I can be more effect with them.  Going to take it slow for awhile and let my ankle heal.  I'll probably take a few days off in Hot Springs to rest even more.  

On Tuesday I look to push out of Franklin towards the NOC, Fontana Dam, and the Smokies!   Wayah Bald Shelter next!