Journey Day 193 | AT Day 16

Women from Australia and Minnesota brightened our day on the trail.

4/6/86

Hiking with breaks leads to Double Springs Shelter, where Julie from Australia and her companion from Minnesota give me talk, food. Eric  Jack, James  and I enjoy female companionship. On up to Klingman’s Dome, slight rain as views open up. Miss trail, end up in parking lot below, where I serve as a curiosity for tourists. I walk up road-path with big pack in shorts, as they puff up, heavily clothed. Cold break at the foot of the observation tower, eat rest of spoils of begging from Julie and her friend, after stopping below for Spam with Jack. Talk more with girls, then on to Mt. Collins shelter, where New Jersey guys, Pates, join us in a crowded shelter. Avoid party for mellow, fine star gazing. Tunes tune out shelter noise. Crash…