Miles: 271.4 | A surprise free breakfast kicks off a day that feels softer than most. Laundry runs turn into a sister reunion, milkshakes, and a brief taste of normal life in Asheville. New socks, strong coffee, and unexpected kindness stack up until the trail delivers again — a former thru-hiker’s home, hot showers, homebrew, a hot tub, and the kind of hospitality that reminds me how deeply generous this community can be.
We packed up our room at the hostel and I went down to the diner to get some takeout breakfast. While it was cooking I went to the Dollar General around the corner to get some more food for my resupply. When I got back to the restaurant to pick up my food and pay they informed me that someone had already paid for my food! I got a free breakfast. I was so thankful.
I ate an apple butter sandwich, eggs, bacon, and a huge cinnamon bun. I brought it back to the hostel to eat. I shared with Tang and Miles and then went inside to make sure my pack was ready to go. While I waited for my sister and her boyfriend, who were on her way to Atlanta, GA and stopping in to see me, I accompanied Josh to town where we found a coffee place and some WiFi. I also stopped into the outfitter there and picked up a new pillow since mine had popped in the Smokies.
My sister arrived around noon and picked me up in her packed Mini Cooper. She drove me to Asheville! Because the hostel was so full the night before, we never got to do our laundry and the laundromat in Hot Springs was not highly recommended. Erin took me to the laundromat in Asheville. Once we got the clothes in the washer we went and got milkshakes and fries at Five Guys. It was so nice to see someone from home. Meeting new people all the time and not being around people you know as much can be exhausting. She brought me back to the laundromat and was on her way. At the laundromat I did some blogging while I waited for the dryer.
After I finished my laundry, consolidated my food, organized the gear I picked up in Hot Springs, and posted some photos I went down the street to the running store there to replace my Injinji Liner socks, one of which had gone missing in the Smokies.
Jus’ Runnin’ in Asheville helped me out so much. They helped me pick new liner socks and showed me some new ways to use my muscle roller. They even gave me a Thru-Hiker discount because they see so few thru-hikers!
Josh told me him and Tang had been invited to stay with Journeyman, a former thru-hiker that I met in Franklin, who lives in Asheville they invited me to join them! Ultimate trail magic!
While I waited for them to get to Asheville from Hot Springs I stopped at High Five Coffee and got a really good cold brew. I used the WiFi to download some more podcasts while I charged my phone. Josh, Tang, and Journeyman met me at the coffee shop. We walked around Asheville trying to find a place for dinner, forgetting it was a Saturday night. We ended up at Luella’s where we got some amazing barbecue and a great local IPA. It was a very satisfying dinner.
Back at Journeyman’s House he showed us around the house. He did Josh and Tang’s laundry for them. He shared his home brewed IPA and Stouts with us. He showed us his super cool hiking staff that he made it to Katahdin with that he hand carved himself! He opened up his hot tub on his back porch for us! After the hot tub he showed us to our rooms. Tang took the guest room. Journeyman showed me to his granddaughter’s bedroom with a princess bed. Josh and Murdock took the futon in the basement. I showered and put on my nice clean camp clothes. I slept so well.