Make it count: Day #10

Sunday, March 22 - Day #10 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 7.2
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 109.4/2,193 (4.99%)
Long Branch Shelter to Winding Stairs Gap (Hotel in Franklin, NC - Budget Inn)
Total ascent - 1,073’
Total descent - 1,894’
Total States Completed - 1/14

Coming to you from the Budget Inn Hotel in Franklin, NC. I write this blog while in a warm bed - currently icing my 2 calves and my left shoulder. I’m trying to look after the body as much as possible before reengaging my AT Hike on Tuesday morning.

This morning started with a really nice 7.2 mile hike from the Long Branch Shelter to Winding Stairs Gap. Winding Stairs Gap is a parking area which accesses the AT - and a common spot for shuttle transfers to Franklin, NC. 4 of us got a ride with a gentlemen for $5. Franklin is about 10 miles from the trail.

Covid-19 —- so I was aware of the Coronavirus before my departure to Georgia 10 days ago. However, I’ve not been in the loop since that time - other than stories from the trail. Getting into Franklin- it’s all too real now. I just can’t believe it. I’m trying to adhere to all best social distancing parameters. I’ve ordered food in - not went to any restaurants, bars, etc. I just walked to the store for my groceries. I’ll continue to camp on the trail and keep distances in shelter areas. Be well & safe out there

I finished most of my chores today with laundry and resupply. Tomorrow I’ll be taking a look at the upcoming segments on the trail. The big thing is to pick out my future resupply points - so I know how much food to carry. The maximum food I can carry is roughly 5-6 days. I just don’t have enough storage space in my Ursack bear bag for anymore. The weight would be prohibitive as well with many more days of food.

It was awesome to get back into town and talk with my friends back in Denver! We had a group text going this afternoon. Outstanding!! Thanks for all the support guys.

In conclusion today - I have to give a special tribute to Kenny Rodgers who passed away a couple days ago. My buddy Liam made me aware of this earlier today. Many of you that know me well - know that the song: “The Gambler” is one of my all-time favorites. I could sing every verse to the song even when I was a very young boy. When my buddies Wick & Scott & I would shovel snow for our local church and school when we were growing up - they would let the cafeteria open so we could go in and warm up when necessary. I remember singing “The Gambler” on the microphone in the cafeteria to a bunch of empty chairs. My buddies - to this day - still talk about those times. I have sung that song at a few different karaoke bars throughout the years. There was the night singing it on a bus in Val de’sere, France - where we had people from all over Europe singing with us.

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So - here you go - sing it with me tonight:

On a warm summers evening - on a train bound for nowhere. I met up with the Gambler - we were both too tired to sleep. So we took turns a staring - out the window at the darkness - the boredom overtook us - and he began to speak. He said: “Son I made a life - out of reading people’s faces, knowing what the cards were - by the way they held there eyes. So if you don’t mind me saying - I can see your out of aces - for a taste of your whiskey - I‘ll give you some advice.” So I handed him my bottle - and he drank down my last swallow, then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light. The night got deathly quiet, his face lost all expression - “If you’re gonna play the game boy - you gotta learn to play it right”

“You gotta know when to hold em - know when to fold em - know when to walk away - and know when to run. You never count your money - when you’re sitting at the table - there‘ll be time enough for counting - when the dealings done”

And when he finished speaking - he turned back toward the window, crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep. And somewhere in the darkness - the Gambler he broke even. And in his final words I found that ace that I could keep

“You gotta know when to hold em - know when to fold em. Know when to walk away - know when to run. You never count your money - when you’re sitting at the table - there’ll be time enough for counting - when the dealings done”

“You never count your money - when you’re sitting at the table - there’ll be time enough for counting - when the dealings done”

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Sometimes I look up things to confirm accuracy for the blog. I didn’t look up a word of that song - it just came from the same place it was at 40+ years ago.

Thanks Kenny Rodgers! Good night from Franklin, NC! Keep it healthy out there.