#79 Grassy Ridge Bald/Roan Mtn. to Station 19 TN Day 35: ATMM 382.6 to ATMM 395.5

The wheels begin to spin. A plan emerges. We are going to sleep in the comforts of a hotel with full bellies tonight.

The morning is cold and damp. The sun is struggling to break through the thick cloud cover. After a not-so-great night of sleep, three of us use Uncle Lody’s tent as a windbreak where we half-heartedly and sleepy-eyed make hot coffee and oatmeal. Princess, Uncle Lody, and I sit on our foam pads on the wet grass sipping and chewing on our morning nourishment trying to come alive once again.

It’s amazing how much positivity and magic lies inside just one cup of hot coffee. Once its rejuvenating voodoo kicks in we’re ready to tackle the day, despite last night’s rotten sleep.

We shake as much of the moisture as we can out of our tent rainflies before loading our packs. Wet gear is heavy gear, and no one is looking forward to carrying extra weight.

Medicine Man and Second Breakfast are doing similar routines inside their little tree islands.

Backpacking isn’t always blue skies and beautiful landscapes. Sometimes it’s a damp, cold, and challenging existence - usually for days at a time. Fortunately for us, the clouds and muggy air decide to bother someone else. The sun’s struggle to peek through the funk pays off and dries everything for our day’s journey.

Thank you, Sun, for fighting for us. Thank you, coffee, for your rejuvenating voodoo.