NOC April 18
M=16.0;C=134.1;E=1700
Spent the night just outside of town at the A. Rufus Morgan Shelter. Now I've arrived at the NOC - Nantahala Outdoor Center. Walked into town for breakfast with Fox and a few others. Many folks I had either been reading about in the shelter registers for days as I slowly gained on them, or they were old acquaintances from back down the Trail.
Trail towns that were more than a simple post office stop gave the hiker a chance to be civilized. Maybe do a load of laundry (13 days of stink -- ick!). Eat a prepared meal. Shower. Shower again. Clean or repair gear. Get rid of gear. Get more gear. Call home. Eat another prepared meal. And not walk for a day. Except around town -- often bagging as many miles as a normal trail day.