The Appalachian Trail- (D.77, 10.9 mi)

(Sam Moore Shelter --> Blackburn Trail Center) (1004.8 mi total) !!!!!!!!!

So, today we made a 1000 miles!!!!  We hit the Bears Den Hostel early in the morning.... it was extremely tempting to stay the day there especially since upon arrival we were told of a terrible storm coming through later that day.  We spent as much time as we could relaxing and charging our phones and buying a Amtrak tickets but then finally we were off and back on the trail. Of course, as if to test our will power we got caught in one of the most intense rain storms I have been in yet.  I certainly was re-thinking my decision making but instead of sulking I took the other route....lunacy.  A couple of triumphant yells in the face of the storm seemed to calm me, but unfortunately it didn't warm me up any.  We finally made it to the trail center.....a really cool free hostel and lucky for us it had a wood stove heater for the little shelter.  We loaded it down with wood and by morning our stuff was finally dry if not a little warm ha.  It did take me the better part of the evening to stop shivering and finally get a hold of my body warmth...pretty intense.

Bears Den Hostel....super cool and super old.  They have a hiker special $27.50 and you get (bunk, laundry, tombstone pizza, pint o' ben n jerrys, soda, and internet).  It was pretty cool, but we didn't have the time nor money for it.  We did meet a lot of older hikers sheltering from the storm and had some really cool conversations!

The approach to Bears Den Hostel

The approaching storm....muah ha ha.

Josh almost smiling.....1,000 miles!

Finally made it to a 1,000!  Despite the rain/chill, I felt amazing!!

Beautiful post rain sunset through the trees at Blackburn Trail Center.  Off in the distance is the caretakers home, they weren't present though unfortunately.  We heard sometimes they randomly cook the guest dinner :(