3/20 Easy Day

12.8 miles hiked today, 110.3 miles N
Siler Bald Shelter

Today didn't quite turn out as expected. I was shooting for 18 miles and, well I got less. I got sucked into Franklin for a couple supplies and email.
I had 18 in mind when I started. I was a hiking machine doing 3 MPH the whole 9 miles to the road. Along the way I found not one but two places where people left drinks for hikers! I grabbed Capri Sun that were cooling in a waterfall and enjoyed it as I hiked. When I arrived at the road crossing I was in for a little more magic.
There I found a friendly couple with "Jesus is my boss" hats who offered me drinks, food, and a bible. Seriously they were very nice and friendly, not pushy at all. I had a pleasant conversation with then while I waited for a ride into town which they called.
When it arrived it turned out to be Ron Haven, owner of the Budget Inn in Franklin. I met him two days ago at Standing Indian and he struck me as too friendly. Very helpful, too much so that it seemed like he was a con. Well no con he is! I got free shuttles from him and and he really knowledable about all things local. Once in town I got sucked into eating a pocket mailing for a couple hours, them hit the market for what I needed and wait for my ride back. I budgeted two hours and used four. :(
I took the easy hike in to the Siler Shelter expecting to find Bowser and Kevin but they had pushed on. I was somewhat sick from town food so I had to call it a day.
I think I have to adopt a no town food policy because when I eat in town I seem to overeat. As a result I feel sick and skip dinner.
Since today was a short day I am gonna get up at 6AM to catch the sunrise and get an early start.
As to what I saw today on the trail not much til the afternoon when I slowed down a bit. It was treed in so I didn't get much views but I did see the trees are just starting to bud. At Siler Bald Shelter there was a thinning of the trees that did afford a nice view of Franklin in the distance at night.