Its cold in them 'are hills

The last contact was from Hot Springs where I was unable to find a phone... odd. I stayed there to participate in 'trail days' a local AT event. Some very good music by local musicians and many vendors. I did manage to come in 4th of 15 in a hiker game based on flexibility. The game is that you have to pick up an open paper bag that's resting on the ground. You have to do this on one foot with your mouth (so leaning over). After each round the host cuts off some of the paper bag (1-2 inches). I couldn't get the 3'' bag but the yoga master and 2 5 foot tall contestants could. Bummer...but Ill get them next year. The good news is that with so many people playing that game and so many mouths its like I had15 kisses at once (I went last and some people insisted on using a little tongue on the bag...gross)

I helped in the last event of the party and had to help fish ducks out of a freezing stream, yes it was over waist deep. I then headed out at 4:45pm after a sketchy local tried to sell me moonshine & mary-jane. A little night hiking and large animal scares later I pushed 11 miles to catch up with the people I had been walking with.

It started raining 2 days ago and the temps went into the 50's. I stopped at a shelter very cold and everything wet and don't remember much of the 1.5hrs I was there. I think survival instinct much have kicked in because after stopping my brain started recalling things as I was running full boar across the nearby mountain with all my warm weather gear on. I spoke with "red" later and she said I seemed out of it and just put on all my warmest clothes and started running. I'm thinking my survival instincts kicked in over hypothermia but don't really know. The next shelter I dried everything out, which was smart because soon it would be in the 20's with 20mph winds at 5000+ft. Coldest night yet that froze the ground solid. I was fine (not comfortable, just warm enough to survive) and made it to Ervin, TN yesterday.

I've been doing a little trail magic of my own and doled out much of my food/sweets to get people to town and brighten spirits. I need to decide if I take a day to try to fix the strained ankle or keep on going as I'm only 120 miles from the first major town in VA! Lots to do in town today and need to check the weather. 4 seasons hiking is hard with 3 seasons gear.

In terms of new gear I refitted my backpack and shoes in hotsprings to something lighter and it is helping make those bigger miles. Currently 8 days ahead of schedule. Talk to you all as soon as I'm able.