We had very little sunshine ☀️ on our weekend hike, but temps were mild. At 9 am, we started our first day on a foggy trail. I think I’ve found my “sole” mate in Merrill hiking boots. I had on a new pair and hoped they would feel as good as my old ones. Our first step on the trail, we were welcomed with slick, mossy rocks due to the moisture in the air. It didn’t help that in spots the rocks were slanted and presented a different, more challenging approach. As I went slip sliding down the trail, I realized I should have scuffed up the bottom of my boots on an abrasive surface before we started. I slipped and fell 4 times but trekking poles kept the falls from being to bad. The falls resembled me bowing to a king on one knee, sliding in to home plate in a baseball game and a bad attempt trying to do the side splits. Rhonda and Lacey witnessed the best one, it was my stop, drop and roll fall down a small incline. I am happy to report I had no injuries. At one rock covered portion of the trail, I did a not-so-pretty bear crawl across the rocks. My trail name is Steady Betty because of my slow, steady pace on the rocks. But after day one, I thought it may need to be changed to Not-So-Steady Betty. š
Our elevation gain on the first day was due to a few steep inclines, but mostly we noticed more gradual inclines. When we reached the pine needle covered portion of the trail we would get a little pep in our step. As the day progressed, the trail improved. We were glad to see my car at Eagle Gap after hiking 9 miles.
On the way to the lodge, we made a stop at Rich Mountain Store. When we walked in, the smell of an old fashion Hamburger š is the first thing we noticed. The owner is friendly, retired law enforcement and he knows a lot about the OT. As I was asking him about the trail and staging the cars, I guess he thought I was divulging to much information and sheshed me. Apparently I hadn’t noticed a couple of customers behind me that I guess concerned him that they were listening to our conversation. I immediately started changing the details as to when we were starting our hike and talked like my husband was waiting at the lodge. I also mentioned that I hoped I could relay the information to my husband correctly. Lacey didn’t hear the Shhh! from the store owner and couldn’t figure out why I was talking like my husband was hiking with us. She thought I had lost my mind. When we got in the car I filled her in on the Shhh! I received. She gave me a Whew! when she realized I hadn’t completely lost it! While hiking on the OT, It is bad enough to worry about 4 legged critters, we don’t want to have to worry about 2 legged ones. The store owner packs a gun and probably for good reason. The store front advertises arts and crafts and surprisingly I did find some in there. While I was running my mouth, Lacey and Rhonda found Snickers with almonds candy bars. I am pretty sure you could find about anything you need in this small unique store. I’ve got to go back soon and try a burger. If you visit Rich Mountain in Mena, AR , you need to stop.
It rained hard on us as we were driving to dinner at the Branding Iron in Mena. They have an amazing bread bar with the best Mexican cornbread.
Our second day of hiking, we started on the trail at 8 am. No falls for me on the second day. I am pretty sure this is because my boot soles were scuffed up pretty good from the day before. The elevation gain was noticed more on 2nd day, but rocks weren’t as big of an obstacle. I encountered a garter snake š in the middle of the trail. It was creepy, but eventually I got the nerve up to walk around it and didn’t have to disturb it. Rhonda spotted some cool spider webs. Lacey spotted a cool Oklahoma rock. Since we were at such a high elevation, we walked for quite a while with our heads literally in the clouds. On the 2nd day we completed ✔️ Section 3 - 16.5 miles and headed to the lodge. We were ready for a nice dinner at the lodge.
Our stay at the lodge was awesome. However, we wish they had better wi-fi and paid previewed movies. We relaxed on both nights and watched old movies. There was the cutest elderly couple staying at the lodge, the wife was 91 and her husband was 85. When I would see the couple in the lodge they would be holding hands. I visited with them in the hallway and even though we were all wearing mask I was still keeping my distance. The lady couldn’t hear what I was saying and she said I could come closer because they had their vaccine. I couldn’t help but think is this the way we will greet new people we meet, “Hi, I’ve had my shot......” There was also a young couple staying there who had 6 month old triples, I can’t imagine traveling with three tiny bundles of joy. I wouldn’t be to joyful at the end of that trip. I hoped the young family was traveling with extended family for reinforcement. Sunday morning, I enjoyed breakfast at the lodge with my friends Teresa and David. They are on a thru hike journey of the OT.
On our way home, we stopped for lunch at the Southern Bell in Heavener. We love everything about eating here.
The only thing that didn’t go as planned on our weekend was us going to Sunset Point Vista on Talimena Drive and watching the sunset. We will have to try again on another trip when it isn’t so cloudy. Rhonda and Lacey are great hiking buddies and I am already looking forward to Section 4!
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