Drove up river. Stopped @ XG hoping to poach a shower again. Pulled in, darn, the camp host was present. Parked van, walked up to guy, asked him if he was the host, I asked if I could take a shower, he said technically it is not a day use area but he said he would allow my shower. After my shower we chatted awhile. Didn’t learn of his former occupation but we shared a whole lot of similar views. Set up for future showers.
Arrived @ Thunder Rock XG. Decided to stay inside & rest. Ran heater. Bright moon after dark. reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Turned light off early.
Slept the best since this cold has come on.
Today I plan to easily ride Tanasi to coax myself out of this cold. Beautiful day, frost in AM. Waited for it to warm up a bit.
River is running clear and volume is slacking. Rain damaged Rhodendron trail along river. Trail up in woods survived the rain well. Some places the rain ran directly down trail washing out the leaves perhaps hiding front wheel stoppers. trail is so buffed out the wheels kept turning. I cleared several trees off the trail. I was clearing a big tree fall when a branch I was moving let loose its stored energy and smacked me in the face just under my glasses. Drew blood. Rode route I had in mind. Trails are fun to ride but not demanding. A small section of Chestnut Mtn trail b4Thunder Rock Express, a 1.4 mile trail dropping down to TH, is original hand dug trail, something like Bernard peak. Not enough of it.
Blue skies all day, warmed up a bit.
Drove back down to XG for shower. Waved to host, showered, waved on way out. Clean again.
Cold is still getting me down.
Tomorrow I will attempt Raccoon down at Chattanooga by myself, drive back up Ocoee to XG for shower, then further East to Jack Rabbit in NC then on to Brevard.
Scott’s has my bike wheel; it will have to chase me down. Closed Sat, open @ 10:00 on Sun.