Day 47 Kimberling Creek Suspension Bridge to Woods Hole

Today's miles 15.  AT miles 620.9

It was still raining when we woke up.  We packed our tent away in the rain for the first time so far on the trail. We left camp just before nine, the rain stopped luckily around ten, but it remained damp and misty for most of the day but the weather much better than we expected. The trail was pretty easy for the first half except that after the rain many sections of the trail were large puddles of water or the trail turned into running streams.  We also had to hop over a lot of swollen streams.

There was one longish climb then things got a little easier again.  The last mile was a little rocky and slippy with wet leaves down to Sugar Run Gap.  From there it was a half mile walk down a track to Woods Hole Hostel where we're staying the night.  An old 1889's log cabin discovered in 1986 by a couple who opened a hostel for hikers. Three generations later their granddaughter Neville and her husband Michael continue to run the hostel for hikers. Iron Man, Extra Miles and Pillow were already here, they arrived a little earlier, we were apparently only camped a couple of miles behind them night.  Also we were pleased to see Milk Monster and Wall E arrive in the evening. We got ahead of them yesterday and weren't sure if they'd arrive today or tomorrow.

The hostel provides a communal dinner, everyone chips in and helps with preparations, table laying etc.  We had to do a weird introduction thing, everyone stand in a circle holding hands, think of something we were thankful for, then go around the circle introducing ourselves, where we're from and what we were thankful for.  There were fourteen of us for dinner tonight. Neville, the owner had prepared fantastic meal, fresh baked bread and salad with homemade dressing followed by rice, chilli and pesto, followed by ice cream.  

We're looking forward to breakfast! 

We planned our next few days route.  Our lovely little hiker bubble of seven are back together again and it appears we'll all stick to the same route plan for the next few days.