Day 67 - Monday, May 17, 2021

Spent a relaxing and dry night’s sleep at the Quality Inn in Johnson City, TN. Didn’t even check the weather but I believe it did rain last night 😂. The temperatures were mild staying right around 50°. Today’s forecast is calling for dry weather and temperature’s getting into the low 70’s so we should get our hike in with no issues from Mother Nature... now tomorrow may be another issue.  Is there a “Zero” in our future , 🤔? 

Today we continued hiking from Iron Mountain (364.5 NoBo) to Indian Grave Gap, TN 395 (352.6 NoBo) for a total of 11.9 miles. 

We began hiking at 10 am under cloudy skies and the temperature was 48°.

It quickly warmed up to 70°, plus the first climb helped to warm things up a little too.




Climb up to Beauty Spot Gap.


On Beauty Spot Summit.


We were mildly surprised to find Trail Magic on top of Beauty Spot. They offered all kind of trail snacks and cold drinks, including beer but it was a little early for that. We did enjoy some homemade lemon-poppy cookies. “Jasper”, the 2nd on left, has thru-hiked the AT twice. The last time in 2014. “Trail Magic Mary” was telling us all about the thru-hikers yearbook; all you have to do is email your pic and you can add your email so friends that you have met along the trail can keep in contact. 



About 1 pm I tripped and completely launched myself with both feet off the ground. If I didn’t have my trekking poles I would have surely fallen. I caught myself and planted my trekking poles so hard and abruptly that my smart watch recorded a fall alert and asked me if I have fallen. Then it follows up with a second fall alert that you must reply to that you are okay and if you do not respond to both alerts it calls 911 and sends your emergency contacts a fall alert text. This is the second time I have activated the fall alert on my smart watch on the trail.  




It has come to my attention that I have not posted as many mountain flower pictures that Turtle Power has. Mainly because I am too busy watching the trail and terrain - I guess Turtle Power is easily distracted or just really likes flowers 🙄. Anyways, enjoy and if you know what type of flowers they are, please let me know in the comment section as Turtle Power doesn’t  know either; he just likes taking pictures with his new phone 🙄😉.






Sections of the trail going up to Unaka Mountain were treacherous with rocks and boulders. 

Turtle Power rock scrabbling.




The summit of Unaka Mountain is known for its dense spruce forest. 


One final view from Beauty Spot Gap - you do not get tired of this view. Seeing it in person in spectacular!

We finished hiking at 4:15 pm. This was the first day that it got over 70°. I’m not looking forward to the hot humid days of summer 🥵. We’ll deal with them when they arrive...

Till next time.... Happy Hiking  🥾 

😋


“You gotta have passion for life and passion for something that you're going to get up and do,".    

                                Meredith “Sunny” Eberhart  


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