Trail Information Date about the section walked along NC-TN border is included in North Carolina Information

Excerpts from pages 60-61

After catching the enticing scent of our food being cooked, a she bear comes into the campsite and begins a voracious pace to and fro directly in front of the cage. Meanwhile, her two cubs climb a nearby dead tree and watch their mom in eager anticipation. Jim walks over to the gate to ensure that it is locked and we all decide it best not to feed or go near the bears. Also, this helps me to appreciate the importance of arriving early at the lean-tos here in the Smokies, long before the black bears do.

Read for a while in my Bible, more in the book of Mark. Later Brian treats me to a vodka-orange juice and the drink helps sleep to come on ever so fast. (Day 18, 8.9 km)

AWAKE WITH THE BIRDS during twilight. After preparing grits and hot tea with raisins in both, take off early on the trail. All this morning, solitude recalls to my mind thoughts of Friday′s mail call or the lack thereof and the anguish felt about my family, but one verse last night has given me much to think about. Yes, Mark 10: 29-30 directs me in the need to search for Jesus′ brothers. Later, see my first deer on the trail but the small deer stays well ahead, only soon to move off the trail.

The trail becomes really steep up to the summit (4520') of Doe Knob, where my hike on the high trail in the Smokies begins. Simultaneously, this initiates my hike in Tennessee, well, only my left foot will be in Tennessee because the trail follows the state line along the crest of the mountain between the two states.