Over the Mtn & through the Rainforest, to NOC We Go

April 22, 2025

Bo and I walked through a rainforest this morning. We woke up early to try and beat the rain and got about an hour of dryness before the clouds opened up. It was a very steep, wet, and rocky descent off Wesser Bald. I made Bo walk behind me, blocking him with my poles–of course – it was the worst thing in the world to him.

The fog hung on the mountains as we meandered down the ridgeline. My poncho was a complete joke today – I was soaked from head to toe. Bo and I had a little fight on the mountain because when I kept him behind me, he got frustrated , pushed against my legs, and trips me up. We worked it out though.

When we got down to the NOC (Nanahtala Outdoor Center) , we saw “Wease,” “2-timer,” “leapfrog,” “Cutt,” and “Howl.” I was a little worried about “Poppins ” and Daisy because I never ran into them on the trail and was happy to hear that they had already gone to the hostel. She took a different trail to protect her joints from the steep, wet descent. I got some stickers at the NOC, called the hostel owner for pick up, then went across the street to get a hot coffee, breakfast sandwich, and an ice cream sandwich. “Leapfrog” stayed outside and kept Bo company while I was inside getting food, without me even asking, which was incredible! “Leapfrog” is pushing on to Sassafras shelter, another 8 miles up the hill from the NOC with her crew. Hopefully, I’ll meet up with them again in the Smokies!

I showered up at the hostel, then “Poppins,” and I went back into town to grab lunch with “Cutt.” I got a beer and a bourbon BBQ porkcjop with potatoes and veggies. “Cutt” treated us all for lunch, which was so thoughtful. “Poppins” and Daisy are done section hiking today, and “Cutt” is popping up the Fontana and hiking southbound back to the NOC, then he is also done. It’s going to be sad not seeing them every few days- I had gotten used to spending time with them all.

We went back to the NOC and I got a new poncho, a caribinger to replace on Bo’s water bowl, and some Nunn, then we went back to the hostel, after bopping into “Poohbear” again who went rafting today. Back at the hostel, I caught up on journaling, and we did some stretching, and then we’re treated to an espsom salt foot bath. “Poppins,” “Cutt,” and I are literally staying in the dog house at this hostel.