What a difference 24 hours makes......
They were very ready to be picked up at Stecoah Gap on Saturday morning around 10am. Anthony, Heather, and Papaw Rick were able to pick them up and then meet me and Garrett in Bryson City for a late breakfast. Everett's Diner in Bryson City has amazing food and Gavin decided to go for the Mountain Man breakfast. He wasn't able to finish it but that's probably because he also ate a Peak biscuits and gravy meal and a Nutri Grain bar before being picked up.
We went to a couple stores in town and grabbed Jeff an ankle brace. He was able to rest it and use an ointment to help with the swelling and pain. Let's all pray it starts feeling better! Gavin seems to have no physical ailments as of yet.
We checked into The Lodge at Nantahala River which is a really cute place. You should definitely check it out if you need to stay a night in that area. Host profile - Airbnb Then we went to the laundromat for their gross clothes. Thankfully that didn't take long at all. It seems that when they are taking a zero, they literally want to do nothing. So, that's what we did the rest of the evening.
Sunday morning came too soon, and we were heading back up the mountain to drop them off after a little coffee and bagel breakfast. It is now the 3rd time I've had to say goodbye and it's still not getting any easier. The almost 3-hour drive home doesn't help when all you have is time to think about the fact that you just left them.
Their goal was to make it to "the Hilton" which is actually the Fontana Dam Shelter. It's by far the best shelter they've seen yet. I'm a little torn though.....should the shelters be super nice or just be a simple shelter? You'll have to check out the video because Jeff does a tour of the facilities then you decide for yourself.
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