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Days 29-36: Turning up the Heat
428.8 miles, 870,886 steps Apparently, the Big Man Upstairs set the refrigerator to “defrost”. The sunny days boasted highs in the 70s, and no night dropped below 40 (even at elevation). It seems the groundhog was right, this just might be an early spring. The heat means Phase 2 of the hike has officially begun.…
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Days 23-28: Cheeseburger in Erwin-dise
311.7 miles, 666,619 steps Though far from the tropics and overlooked as an enticing travel destination, my sights have been set on Erwin, TN for some weeks now. Aside from the typical delights of scrumptious meals, abundant supermarkets, and comfy lodging, this locale hosts a priceless diamond in the rough: Pal’s Sudden Services. Though I’m…
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Days 16-22: Smoky Mountain Majesties
241.2 miles, 521,383 steps While this journey is filled with grandiose summits, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is on its own scale. In the midst of quaint mountain towns and bustling cities rises a formidable range, untouched but for a few roads and minor park service infrastructure. Dividing the peoples of Tennessee and North Carolina,…
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Days 10-15: Walk-in Refrigerator
Total Mileage – 150.7 Higher latitude, greater elevation, and weather patterns produced outdoor conditions much closer to expected for February. Whereas last week afforded 60-degree highs and lows safely above freezing, these days and nights were 5-10 degrees chillier at least. I generally enjoyed the mixup: colder days are less tiring and sweaty, although nights…
