There is One in Every Crowd

Rain, rain and more rain! And cold too! Good bye NC and hello Tennessee! Lyle crossed the state line today and is extremely happy to be out of North Carolina. He is staying in another hostel for the evening. It's next to Hwy 19 and it will be warm, dry and quiet this evening. It's a smaller hostel than what he has been in, and these owners stick to a limit of how many people can stay. Lyle's heard a rumor that breakfast is terrific too!

It was a beautiful day following a chilly start in the morning. Last night the shelter was an old barn, and Lyle had set up his tent in the loft. The extra protection helped him stay warm on the coldest night of the trip. The others thought he was crazy setting up the tent, but they understood the next morning when he said how warm and comfortable he had been.

The unfortunate experience recently was a theft. At the last hostel Lyle left some travelers checks in a plastic bag unattended. With others leaving cash and other valuables laying around, he didn't think it would be a problem, but when he picked up the bag before bedtime the checks were gone. Needless to say he was disgusted and upset. His words were "It's too bad that there is one in every crowd." So, he set off on the trail the next morning thinking he was $80 poorer. But, later that morning a hiker was making a bee-line for him. The hiker asked Lyle if he was No Lines. When Lyle responded yes, the hiker said he had something for him. Since Lyle had never met him before, he couldn't imagine what it could be. Well, the hiker took out his wallet and produced the 4 checks. They were found crumpled up under some things in one of the bedrooms. Whoever took them must have realized they couldn't use them and decided to leave them. Thankfully someone recognized Lyle's name and was able to give this hiker enough of a description to get the checks returned. Lyle is being much more careful with his things now. Too bad but it's a fact of life.

He plans to be in Damascus (TN) by the end of the week. He'll probably take at least one 0 day to rest and re-pack. He was a bit shocked by the quantity of food I mailed to him in Elk Park--it was my turn to pack the box this time. I didn't think I was packing too much but I guess he nearly had a heart attack when he lifted the box! So following a frantic phone call to me, we decided the best thing to do would be to mail what he didn't need ahead to Damascus. Then I won't have to mail a package to him for awhile. Now all I need to mail are the articles on the Packer's draft picks! He hasn't heard too much about the NFL draft so he said he would enjoy some of the paper to catch up.

He estimates that he has lost at least 10 pounds but he hasn't come across a scale yet. When he tells me what he eats when he gets into town, it's hard to believe he wouldn't gain weight! But I know how hard he is working...especially when he tells me he is sleeping 10-12 hours each night. That's almost unheard of for him...he always found it difficult to sleep in on Saturday's!

385 miles finished and counting. That's all for now. Enoy the pictures!