Appalachian Trail Day 8 - Dick's Creek Gap to PIum Orchard Shelter ( miles 69 to 73.7 )

We Stayed in a hotel in Asheville, NC last night. 6:30 am we are off to the races. We Packed last night In preparation of an early start this morning. The hotel is 45 minutes from Hot Springs, where Kate is meeting us at 9. 

We park behind Laughing Heart Lodge. The proprietor, Gabe, is in the kitchen finishing breakfast service. He keeps an eye on the hiker's cars, and we donate the remainder of our fresh fruit and veggies to the hostel kitchen. 

An antique forest green Jeep Wrangler pulls up in a small cloud of dust.  A kind and handsome woman emerged with a black dog.  Kate and the pup named Hiker drive us on backroads of NC. Kate is fun and talkative, and the 2.5 hour ride passes quickly.

Back on the trail! 80°F and sunny.  The hike out of the Gap (a southern term for the passage between mountains) is a moderate uphill.  We meet Smiles, who is a delightful teenager with an infectious smile.  He is through- hiking alone.  

We reach Plum Orchard Shelter for a snack. Penny wants to stay here.  We meet a group of 2 men and 3 women who met on the trail and are now a " Tramily," or Trail Family. 

We enjoy light banter over a dinner of freeze dried meals rehydrated with water filtered from the nearby spring, then boiled on our camp stoves. The 3 young women are recent Masters Grads who decided to pursue the Trail instead of jobs. They are so cute!

Today: Elevation - 1500' , miles - 4.6

The sun sets, and Hiker Midnight is upon us.  With no TV, artificial light, or cell phone reception, the hiker's tuck into their respective tents and hammocks to read. Sleep is not far beyond...