Day 19: Gatlinburg!

Zero Day

News update: Maine isn’t going anywhere and neither are we. My legs needed a zero. The weather in the Smokies is cold, wet, and miserable. We were out of food. And Gatlinburg was calling. We answered.

Gatlinburg, Murica

How to describe Gatlinburg? If you took almost everything I didn’t want to see or do in the Great Smoky Mountains and put it in one town, that would be Gatlinburg. Ripley’s Museum? Aquarium? Wax museums? Moonshine outlets? Fudge? Souvenirs? Bubba Gumps? Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum? Family friendly axe throwing? Dollywood? Yup. It’s all here and more. Lots more. 
 
But here’s the thing. Tons of people love all that stuff, and their interests are no less crazy than me hiking in the woods for six months. And Gatlinburg is built for them. Plus, axe throwing might be kinda fun.  And Mrs. I went Dollywood a few years back and said it was fascinating. 
 
The town also has a great outfitter (NOC), grocery stores, a laundromat, restaurants, and hiker-friendly motels. Which is how we spent our zero day…eating, chores, napping, and more eating. Burning 2,000-4,000 calories a day leaves a big deficit to catch up with in town. But we’re doing our best.

Hey, it’s Dry Inside

But mostly, we got out the rain. Vanloads of wet, bedraggled thru-hikers have been arriving all day across the street from our motel. The hikers we’ve met all have stories of big rains and near-freezing temperatures. 
 
Tomorrow’s forecast looks a little better, but we expect to get wet some part of the next three days. Maybe we’ll be joining the old men in the shelters after all. 
 
Ok, time to get back to napping. After a bite to eat. 

Daily Stat’s:

  • Start: Gatlinburg (Mile 199.9)
  • End: Gatlinburg (Mile 199.9)
  • Weather: Rain and more rain
  • Earworm: Piped in music everywhere
  • Meditation: Jn 11:48
  • Plant of the Day: Fresh salad
  • Best Thing: Being inside while it rains
  • Worst Thing: Being inside

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Comments 4

  • Kelli Ramey : Apr 27th

    Yeah,
    I was going to ask why.
    LOL…

    Reply
    • Jon : Apr 27th

      Haha

      Reply
  • thetentman : Apr 28th

    Rest and bacon cheeseburgers are good. You might need a chocolate shake too.

    Reply
    • Jon : May 2nd

      Sound advice…no matter the problem.

      Reply

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