I got to sleep in until 0730, since the raft doesn’t start taking people across the Nolichucky River until 0900. The bridge was taken out during Helene, and you could see remnants of the bridge scattered throughout the water. It flows pretty quickly, and there is rebar and other sharp debris in the water, so wading across isn’t recommended.

There was a couple in their van outside the hostel that made the hikers breakfast. They made us steak and eggs and toast. The steak was marinated in butter and fresh rosemary sprigs. Bo was hand fed pieces of meat from the van like royalty!

As we were leaving, I put on my pack and hit the blinds on the room, causing 2 pieces to break. I told the owner inside, and her response was, “I can tell you have a vagina because no man would have ever told us!” I was speechless. Needless to say, she could not care less about the blinds, lol. I removed my bag from the room so they could clean and ate my pint of blueberries and breakfast sandwiches. I gave away my bell pepper and orange since I was actually full for once.

Bo and I boarded our raft and went across the Nolichucky River around 0900 and hit the trail for the day. The miles weren’t too bad today. The trail became pretty rooty and rocky, and there were lots of stream crossings. My feet were aching coming up to the Beauty Spot.

Bo and I took lunch on top of the Beauty Spot, and I elevated my feet on my pack, so of course, people stared at me like I was a zoo animal. I know I dont smell like a dort bag since I just showered and did laundry yesterday, but I suppose I definitely still look like one! There were lots of tourists there since it was a weekend. I thought I had chosen a spot out of the way of people, but one guy walked right up to me, and Bo got very protective and made the guy nearly jump out of his skin.

I met “Mamwich” as we were leaving. He said he felt for me and was watching people keep entering my space, and he was chuckling when Bo barked at the one guy. He told me that I am going to love the Roan Highlands that are coming up, so I am looking forward to that section!

Bo and I were out of water, but found a good spring before we headed up Unaka Mountain. We had a solid climb, with Easter grass all along the trail and some forested sections. I decided to start some of the Helene Reroute this evening and go to more miles to a campsite by a creek.

When we got to the campsite there was glass shards everywhere–some people really do ruin nice things. I worried about Bo’s paws getting sliced up and tried to move as many pieces as I could. I ate dinner and soaked my feet in the creek- another Rambomb, hot chocolate and a honey bun down the hatch! I am hoping that the rest of the Detour isn’t as sketchy as the comments on FarOut have made it out to be. I nearly got hit by a car on the road walk section when they came barreling around a sharp turn.

Day: 36

Date: 5/10/2025

Miles: 18.42

At Mile: 362.4 (mile 2 of detour)

Camp: Red Fork Falls Campsite