Cold day on the mountains today

This morning we woke up in our cozy hotel at Harrahs casino in Cherokee, NC with a window view of snow dusted roof tops and mountains. I sent and urgent text message to hubby, “Houston, we have a problem”. No reply. I called. No answer. I called his parents (that’s where he was at). They said he was still sleeping. Not any more. Wake him I requested. 

I was not prepared to spend a night in the mountains with temps dipping into the teens as was predicted for tonight. He has all my winter gear.  Becky and Pat so graciously offers to get another room for the night but Andrew and I figured we could hike 13 miles today and Bruce would do a marathon drive and pick us up and reliever us to warmth for the night. That’s almost how it worked out. We did hike 13 miles. A beautiful somewhat snow covered day. Chilly but comfortable hiking as long as we didn’t stop long. We were able to schedule a ride for 25$ to drive us back to the NOC which is where we started this morning. We rented a bunk room and Bruce will meet us here late tonight. The hotel close to where we hiked to would not rent us a room because of Mozzie the dog. Which is a service dog. Highly illegal on their part but we didn’t have the energy to complain. So here we are now cozy in a bunkhouse waiting out the frigid mountain temps. Not quite as cozy as Harrah’s but once we are asleep we won’t know the difference. 

Today I slipped a full body length down a slope catching each foot on something which prevented me from sliding down the side of the mountain several yards. It was a close one. There was a fallen tree over the trail and when I went to step over it, the snow covered trail was slick and my other foot slid right out from under me. I lay on my pack looking up at the sky and thanked God I didn’t go any further. When I realized I would be okay I also noticed I did not spill one jelly bean that I was holding. 

Lesson of the day: when the trail is slick keep the snacks packed until break time. 

Emily M. Leonard

About Emily M. Leonard

I am a 50 year old Maine native and lover of the outdoors. Former Physical Education teacher and soccer coach. I am Married to the best husband ever and gave up teaching and coaching to raise our two wonderful sons. I have always enjoyed being outside and on the go.