May 13

Today started off great. Gordon, my brother is with us. Last night we camped near a stream and woke up with the sun. We thought we would try for a 23 mile day in hopes to catch up with Yukon, Boomer and Squatch. They were going to have a mothers day fire for me if we caught up. We were okay If not but it is good to have those small motivators.

Hill Hiker, a 65 year old thru hiker, joined us at camp last night. We met him way back in Franklin and he keeps a similar pace. He is from Arkansas and a great guy. He started out with us as well and planned on 18 miles. We've all heard rain is coming again so we want to get our miles in early. We rested in the sun after a five mile, 2000 foot climb. Beautiful views of the Burkes Garden Valley. Around 13 miles, the rain begins. At 14 miles, there is a note with an invite to dinner and a place to stay from a Lutheran church. We are so tired of the rain, we decide to call........

We ended up in Bland and were feeling a bit soft. Hill Hiker joined us. In the next few hours, we saw every hiker who crossed our path today show up at the same motel. Then, Yukon, Boomer and Squatch with three others got the last room right next to us. How hilarious. We no longer feel soft.

Mark has new shoes. After his three days in the rain, his feet have some raw areas. It's just about impossible for them to heal in wet shoes. It is going to rain all day tomorrow and possibly Tuesday. We are trying to decide if we should take a zero day tomorrow or not.