Spivey Gap to Erwin, northbound

May 17, 2013
11.2 miles
7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The benefit of camping in the woods vs. staying at a hostel is the early start in the morning.  We were on the trail by 7:00 a.m. and had a mostly downhill walk.  I say “mostly downhill” because I have learned never to say “downhill all the way.”  There is no way it can happen in the mountains.  But today was relatively easy and mostly downhill back to the Nolichucky River in Erwin where we had parked our car. 

No Business Knob Shelter

 

We passed No Business Knob Shelter and saw our first Mountain Laurels in bloom. 

We heard the train in Erwin long before we got there.  The view of the river below us and the train track running across it was a beautiful sight, so I took lots of pictures of it.  It’s funny that you can see what is below you a LONG time before you get there.

A look at the Erwin train track going over the river.

The weather got warmer the lower we descended until we were sweating pretty good by the time we got there.  A nice cold Pepsi from the machine was a welcome treat.

There was a train on the track, it seems to run quite often.

We went to the Holiday Inn Express and checked in for the night before heading out to eat at The Farmer’s Daughter restaurant south of Erwin.  Aww – the most food we have eaten in a long time, family style service.  Awesome! 

The sign where the trail crosses the highway at the Nolichucky River.