Journal 18-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!

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Tuesday–March 9, 2021
Trail Day–018
Trail Mile–9.7/201.7
Location–Four-Lane at Blacks Bluff Road, then to Historic Hearn Inn, Cave Spring

Staying here at the Historic Hearn Inn last night, in addition to Nimblewill, Speedy & Copperhead, we’re long distance hikers Little John, Pickels & Whoops. Ahh, and this evening we’re expecting Ryan, Unicorn & Jackrabbit (and dog, Wrecking Ball) to come hiking in!

There were no hikers anywhere near Cave Spring when I hiked through here in 1998, then again in 2000–perhaps because there was little to do with the PinhotI Trail anywhere nearby back then. And even today there’s still some roadwalking, but there’s also a mighty fine segment of the Pinhoti Trail nearby–Santa Claus Mountain! Each year there’s more and more trail being built on and along these southern  mountains, making for less and less roadwalking.

The plan today is to hike about half the total roadwalk out of Cave Spring, then to return for another night in the grand Hearn Inn here in Cave Spring. Setting this up requires both Dennis and Mancil to drive their vehicles out to Blacks Bluff four-lane, leave Mancil’s car at the intersection there, then return to Hearn Inn in Dennis’ truck.

Logistics all squared away, at eight we begin the  roadwalk. Just two blocks up we’re greeted by John Johnston, the local artisan who kindly provided the fine Pinhoti pendant yesterday. His eyes light right up when I unzip my jacket for John to see I’m wearing his pendant!

This roadwalk north is the same as in 1998 and 2000. I remember it being a pleasant walk through rural Georgia countryside. And indeed it is pleasant–decent shoulders, little traffic. We’ve got the nine-plus miles completed and are back to the Inn right at noon. A short, enjoyable few hours on the backroads of Georgia!

The Rome News-Tribune article (interview of yesterday) appeared front page today. And yet another interview was done this evening; Fox 5 News out of Atlanta, which will air at ten tonight. This is so fascinating; an old fellow getting special attention just because he walks… (Fox 5 News Spot)

It takes very little fire to make a great deal of smoke nowadays…
(Louisa May Alcott)