Going Up the Country

April 25- Well, we were star trekking today. We had gone father then any BJ or Clara has ever gone before. It was a tough 17.0 miles. 16 of that was hiking, 1 mile walking on pavement, and 2.2 was downhill. Our energy level was great until mile 16.6. At that point we laid in the middle of the trail and bickered about reading the map, how much was left, and who was right. We drank plenty of water and ate all our snacks to regain our energy.

We climbed Beauty Spot and Unaka Mountain today. Beauty had a perfect view of the Erwin valley and Unaka was a tough climb. On the way up Unaka, we passed a nursery of crickets. Babies were everywhere! I guess we scared them as we walked by and they began to jump all around us. It sounded like it was raining. 

You can drive to both spots by taking US 395 out of Erwin to the state line and pick up a gravel road.  Our plan is to hike to the base of Roan Mtn. tomorrow and summit the following morning.