26 April 2019
I checked the weather before going to bed last night and the forecast was for a slight chance of rain between 7 am and 9 am the next morning. At 10:30 pm, the skies opened up. I got out of the sleeping bag a 7 am and decided discretion was the better part of valor and packed up the wet tent, loaded the car for everything except to make breakfast. I ate quickly and was on the road at 8:30 am and the skies opened up again. I got while the getting was good.
I pulled into Boone, NC after passing through what I think was Blowing Rock. I say I think because it was so foggy I wasn’t sure there was a town there. I called Terry Hamilton in Boone and invited myself for coffee. We caught up on old times and I have to say I laugh more with Terry than just about anyone. We then headed to a barbecue place near his house that has some great barbecue.
After a short tour of his neighborhood, I said goodbye and headed to Greensboro. It seemed like I was trying to catch up to the rain, but it beat me there and was actually over when I pulled into the drive of Stephen and Jimmie. They were waiting at the garage door for me when I pulled up.
We spent a little time catching up and then headed out to eat. They knew of a place I could get a steak and it was cooked to perfection.
After dinner we stopped at their REI store and I bought a bear bell. I had one on my day pack but I noticed I wasn’t hearing it ring. I thought something had wedged in it but when I examined it, the clapper inside had fallen out. Luckily, I didn’t run into any bears this trip – yet. Now I’m prepared!
Later, we returned to the house and I introduced them to The Brokenwood Mysteries on Acorn TV. It’s about a detective in New Zealand. After that I need to get some sleep.
By the way, the chicken vindaloo did come back to haunt me tonight.
