Thursday 5-13

Another ez day to Cosby knob shelter. Finally found some cell reception and got to call some folks. Made reservations at a b and b at hot springs and got to the shelter fairly fast.

Ponda is coming tomorrow, and I am slightly nervous. I have been out here for three weeks now and am now very used to and comfortable with the lifestyle. My exposure to non-hiker people and towns has been pretty limited and in those situations you are still in hiker friendly areas, hostels, etc. Nonetheless I'm excited to see her and take a slight break from hiking.

Met a group o 5 guys from Birmingham that are doing a section between newfound gap and hot springs. Fun group and we had the shelter to ourselves.

This was the day that there were thunderstorms in the area and really close to the shelter. That was the first really scary moment. Usually you see the lightning and in a couple of seconds you hear distant thunder. This was almost instant timing, lightning and loud ass thunder, reaaaaaally loud and close.