An early Saturday morning descent into Nantahala Falls, North Carolina. This was to be my first true town stop-- one arrived at by my own two feet. (I forewent the traditional stop in Franklin because, as you recall, I had just been there with my family.) I had an ineffable peace and joy about me as I strode into the town because I had just successfully completed my first extended stretch of solo-ness in the woods, and I promptly celebrated with a 20 ounce Pepsi and a phone call home. It woke my mom up, but she couldn't have been happier to hear my voice.

The valley-view was during my ascent out of Nantahala, which was an unrelenting 8-mile climb to Cheoah Bald.