Standing Bear farm and out of the Smokies!

After hiking out of the Smokies, we had planned to stop at this little Hostel called Standing Bear Farm (in Tennessee. Remember I said we'd be straddling the state lines for the next few miles. Yeah try 200, until we get to Virginia) to resupply and to stay a night in a bed.
Apparently the night before a BIG bear had wandered very close to our shelter but a hiker's cough scared it away. We had to do 11 miles at a jarring downhill. I had a blister the size of a Buick on my pinky toe and then twisted my ankle partway down. However the last 3 miles was very pretty with the river crossings and waterfalls.

So onto Standing Bear. We had no intention of staying but seeing the weather report of 100% chance of rain, we stayed, unfortunately had to take another zero day. But the place was pretty cool. The resupply closet was more stocked than some of the other store we've been to and there was a 'beer shack'. Rocket (the caretaker) is a large source of entertainment with his constant drinking of whiskey and mellow yellow out of his mason jar. He usually starts around 2pm. There are also roosters, chickens, cats and dogs. When we got there we were asked 'are y'all a couple' after saying yes we were asked if we'd like the cabin or a treehouse. It's kind of a no-brained, if you're offered a treehouse, you take the treehouse! 

Our treehouse was right by the creek and between that and the rain on the roof! Sleep was pretty pleasant. I should mention as well that there was no washing machine. Just 2 sinks and an old washboard and wringer. Rob has pictures on his camera of me doing laundry. Thankfully, they had a drier. Oh and also an indoor shower and an outdoor one. The outdoor one was amazing! But no actual toilet so we had to use a privy. (Once again for anyone who has forgotten, a privy is basically an elevated outhouse)

For the record, you very sucked into this place! It's kind of like Hotel California! You can check out but you may never leave!! 

Our second day there, we got cheaper sleeping arrangements (so no more treehouse. Besides, we had apparently caused quite a stir and now there was a waiting list for it), and because of the crappy weather, we sent out postcards, played scrabble, calorie loaded (ate like pigs) and read. The bonus at least is that Rob's lost 20lbs and I've lost 12. 

The next day we did another 15 mile day, the clouds stated to burn off but then the wind blew in and started misting on us. The temperature dropped to the 40s. We went across this bald called Max Patch(a place where there are no trees) and got lucky enough to miss some of the sort crappy weather on top, but the wind was threatening to use my pack as a sail). The views were spectacular! 

We had 18 more miles to Hot Springs, NC where the trail actually goes down the main street. When we got up, it was super chilly and was supposed to be freezing rain later on in the day. Us and 3 other hikers decided to take a short day and bundle up in the shelter to try to warm up. It was a fairly miserable day with no excitement other than us trying to stay warm. The bonus is now we're out of the Smokies and we can camp anywhere we want!!