November 11 on the AT was a special day (11-11 Day)

I reached mile 1797.8 on November 13, a day that started with light, cold rain and ended sunny and quite chilly. On November 14 I will begin the climb into the Roan Highlands and 6,000 feet elevation. But for now I want to write about a unique experience I had on a special day.

I had planned to resupply in Hampton, Tennessee but was unsure if I would buy food and get back on the trail, or stay overnight at a hostel. Most hikers stay at the Boots Off Hostel, but I hiked past it too early in the day. Instead, a walked to the Brown Hardware and Grocery Store owned by Sutton Brown, who also owns the Braemer Castle Hostel. After checking in at the hostel with Sutton’s son, Ben, I walked over to the store and bought enough hiking food for the next two days. As I browsed the store aisles Sutton Brown introduced himself to me. I described how the day, November 11 was special. “Fourteen years ago my lovely wife Cindy and I got engaged. Every year on 11-11 we celebrate by eating cake!” But I noticed that the store did not carry anything close to the Chocolate cake I preferred for the 11-11 celebration.

While approaching the check out Mr. Sutton surprised me. He took a snackcake treat off a shelf and handed it to me. Think hostess cupcakes and you get the idea. “Your wife called this afternoon and asked to be sure you have cake to celebrate!”

I was astonished! It occurred to me that I texted Cindy from the trail that morning to let her know which hostel I would stay at and I would call her in the evening. Cindy looked up the hostel and reached Mr. Brown, which was an amazingly thoughtful act. And it’s one highlight of my AT experience I will never forget.

Mr. Sutton invited me to have dinner with his son Ben at 7pm. During the meal I learned the history of Braemer Castle. Built in the early 1900’s by a timber company with a stone exterior, the company vacated the building after all the trees were cut down. The main part of the building has beautiful hardwood floors and lovely antique furniture. The expansive room was like walking into another century, an up close look at the history of a small town that once buzzed with timber harvesting and now struggles like so many rural communities after the exit of a major industry. The Sutton’s have lived in Hampton for many years, and both Sutton and Ben have extensive outdoors experiences.

This day reminded me that this hike on the Appalachian Trail is not just about me and reaching Springer Mountain. Today it was about the connection made by Cindy with Mr. Brown that created an opportunity to experience the people and culture of the Appalachians, and enjoy a simple snack cake on 11-11!

See my real-time location produced by the InReach unit I carry and a daily log of my progress on the trail.