Sat 02 Oct - Allen Gap to Hot Springs

Cold this morning,  about 40.  Warmed nicely into the 70s.  Very clear - the best since we started in Georgia.

Today we were better dressed.  I wore shorts, rain pants, two shirts, a jacket, and gloves.  By the end of the day, I was in the shorts and tee shirt only.

I hiked 15 miles today.   Daniel of Bluff Mountain Outfitters drove us to Allen Gap so we could hike back to Hot Springs.  We had a big climb out of Allen Gap taking a break at Spring Mtn. Shelter with another couple from Nashville out for a long ttail hike.  We eventually reached the Rich Mountain Fire Tower.  It was a beautiful, clear day.  I climbed the tower and took some pictures while Wendy tried to "fix" her knee. 

It did not work.  It was her right knee and she could not finish the hike.   We hiked down to a road crossing.  Wendy waited there while I finished six miles to town.  I got the car and drove back to pick her up and return to town.  We will take a zero day tomorrow and decide what we can do.

The folks here at Alpine Court Motel helped greatly giving her a cooler, ice, and a heating pad.