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.
