My NC mountain weekend sleeping in the back of my truck

"Hooker" (Hooker) 10/09/2020 at 10:10 • Filed to: None

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So, it took me almost a week to write this because apparently when you take a single day off of work, it all goes to shit.

Last Thursday evening, myself and my friend who owns some land in the NC mountains hopped into my truck and headed that way. I wanted to make sure I was waking up there first thing Friday morning as we had planned to hike part of the Appalachian Trail at Roan Mountain, TN. I had never slept in the back of a truck before. And, the last time I went camping I was 12 and it definitely wasn’t getting into the mid 30's at night.

Settling into my truck late that night, it was cold. But, at that point, I had a couple glasses of whiskey on board so I felt pretty good. I had sufficient padding and a very thick comforter. I figured I was all set. I slept through the entire night, however, when I woke up around 7 AM, I was frigid. So, I adjusted my sleeping arrangements the next night to include wool socks, a sleeping bag layer and some shorts. I was toasty. Live and learn. Also of note, we were camping where there were no facilities around. I had never done that before either. It was, uh, an experience.

That morning, it was beautiful. I was well rested, ready for a hike at Roan Mountain. I packed up my truck and my friend and I drove the winding, all up hill route to Roan. It was about 18 miles but took forever. A sports car my truck is not! When we arrived, it was decidedly colder and much more wind. I wanted to go back to camp but decided to suck it up. I was so glad I did!

We started at Carvers Gap. It was supposed to be 1.6 miles to the summit. So, a little over 3 miles round trip. I hadn’t hiked in a while so I was good with the distance. Once we got to the top (there used to be a hotel up there about 100 years ago that I need to do more research on) my buddy was like “hey, let’s hike to the bluff!” I didn’t know what a “bluff” was, though, I was soon to find out.

At various points, we stopped to take in the view, smell the fresh scent of Christmas trees, and re-fuel. Once we got to the bluff, it became evident it was even windier there. Constantly. The wind comes from the Tennessee valley side and sweeps up the mountain. It is so consistent that the trees have windswept branches that are in that position permanently.

The view was amazing. The colors were just starting to turn on the trees giving a light orange and red glow to some places. It was peaceful and grounding. We went back down the mountain which was more difficult than up. It’s definitely harder on the knees! I was exhausted after 8 miles of hiking but so thankful for it!

The trip, overall was such a success I literally want to pay off my debts (3-5 years) sell my house, build a small 1 room cabin and go live there permanently. Just live simply. You have no idea how very little you need to survive and be happy until you do it.

If you’ve never done something like this, I cannot recommend it enough. Do it. Thanks for reading my rambling.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 10:14

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I have a buddy in the Rockies who insists “If you are cold and uncomfortable in any outdoor activity, you haven’t spent enough on gear...”

Hooker > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 10/09/2020 at 10:16

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I feel like that’s accurate to a point. If it were in the teens and 20's I would likely have had to have more gear. I’ll make adjustments as I go. Also, that gear is actually reasonably priced if you don’t go overboard. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 10:29

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What an absolutely beautiful location. Sounds like a refreshingly relaxed experience. I really liked that picture of the wind swept branches and the almost fairy tale-like path through the undergrowth. 

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 10:34

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|when you take a single day off work, it all goes to shit

He ain’t lyin’.

re: Roan Mountain, I’m almost positive I’ve been hiking there, but it would have been years and years ago. I need to do that. Maybe take a single day off work...

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/09/2020 at 10:34

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Dude. Yes. The whole trip was like that. I must live there. I must find a way to retire. Hell, I wouldn’t need much $. Just a little health insurance! Ah, there’s the problem. 

Hooker > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/09/2020 at 10:38

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I’ve taken entire weeks off and not had this much pain upon returning. Haha. But yeah, you should! Are you near here NC still? 

nermal > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 10:40

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H ope you didn’t get any poo on your shoe.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 10:40

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I love the Appalachians. I love how the morning mist drifts over the mountains especially. It’s just so beautiful out there. And I really don’t mind getting up earlier in the morning out there for some reason. Go to bed earlier and get up earlier. It’s just so relaxing for me.

Your pictures are a far cry from where I am living right now. I also really enjoy living in the city. It’s the suburbs that get a little tedious for me.

Not the view out my window but not too far off. 

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 10:49

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NC yep , just e ast of Asheville.

Hooker > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/09/2020 at 11:07

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I’m a huge fan of that area, though, down town Asheville last time I visited was a bit too busy for me. However, Skytop Orchard and down town Hendersonville is my jam. 

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/09/2020 at 11:08

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Where is this? And yes! I went to bed at like 830 most nights! It was wonderful! 

Hooker > nermal 10/09/2020 at 11:08

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Thankfully there was a 5 gallon bucket and a snap on seat ($ 20). Also, lots and lots of sawdust! 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 11:20

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You’re looking at the Atlanta skyline (well, one of the skylines as you can’t see midtown) as viewed from the top of the Georgia Tech library. It’s an absolutely wonderful view from up there. I love going walking downtown and around midtown. There’s always something going on.

The car scene is pretty interesting here too even when you factor out the endless sea of donks.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/dots-television-bling-edition-1845268113

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/dots-midtown-machines-edition-1844967949

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 11:25

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I usually do New Belgium if I’m going to a brewery (outside!) , though Highland is pretty good if it’s not a busy event night. I have a friend who normally does stuff for Oktoberfest at all the breweries: r educed schedule due to The Vids , but out at high-wire tomorrow. I’m usually not down to Hendersonville, but I did a run there a while back.

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/09/2020 at 11:57

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That’s beautiful! I enjoy the city vibe and enjoy visiting it but I don’t think I could live in a city like that! 

Hooker > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/09/2020 at 11:59

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What’s the distillery scene look like? I’m not much for beer but I love a good whiskey/gin/scotch. 

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 12:07

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Can’t say I know much, but I may have to ask somebody who does. Troy & Sons/Asheville distilling  apparently reviews well locally.

https://ashevilledistilling.com/

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 12:09

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It all depends so much. Like I could never see myself actually living in NYC but it sure was fun to visit. Atlanta is a big city but you don’t feel penned in by the density. Between Piedmont park in midtown and the downtown skyscrapers, there’s so much variety in density and general feel.

Plus, Georgia Tech feels like just a slightly more dense traditional college campus except it happens to be located within a major city. Like my dorm is one of the taller ones at 5 stories (no elevator) but across the interstate is the tallest building in the southeast at over 1000 feet. So you get the pleasant quiet tree lined paths through quaint brick buildings but then you have literally everything you could want a short walk away. It’s nice.

Campus

Piedmont P ark

Centennial Olympic Park

t a l l

Gulch

I love it here.

Hooker > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/09/2020 at 12:20

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I’m going to have to take a drive out there sometime. There MUST be camping sites out there! 

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/09/2020 at 12:22

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That second to last building brought up RenCen thoughts and if I remember correctly, that was it’s architectural twin. Though, I’d have to look that up. I’m glad you love it there and I can see why!

DipodomysDeserti > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 12:28

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Very cool. Just spent five night camping in the desert with my pups.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 12:34

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Pretty sure it is pretty old but recently renovated. I can’t remember the date but the architect who renovated it spoke in a guest lecture a week or two ago.

Basically I like the extremes in density but that low density suburban sprawl gets tiresome.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 12:43

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As it happens, it’s a straight-up stone’s throw away from the Parkway, and there is camping on the parkway. Campgrounds are closed right now, but hopefully to open before too long.

Asheville Distilling is on the back side of the same building as Highland Brewing, which (since beer isn’t really your thing), it should be noted, usually has some good guest ciders and things also.

Hooker > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/09/2020 at 12:55

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Oh I'm definitely doing this. Gonna aim for early ish next year when my vacation resets. Thank you! 

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/09/2020 at 12:56

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I can get behind that way of thinking. 

Hooker > DipodomysDeserti 10/09/2020 at 12:57

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I feel like the desert would be amazing. Especially Arizona. I have a strong desire to visit there again.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 12:59

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What sort of area do you usually live in? Because I love going from one extreme to the other in density. It’s just such a refreshing change of pace.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 13:04

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I will probably aim to have a glass with you then, then.

DipodomysDeserti > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 13:53

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Each desert has its own vibe. I was in northern Arizona and southern Utah/Colorado. Dead silent at night with the Milky Way stretched across the sky.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Hooker 10/09/2020 at 18:41

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sadly i know the feeling of taking a day off.

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/10/2020 at 09:16

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I’m about 30 miles east of Charlotte NC. It’s pretty podunk. Thankfully, there is a new road that brings you to civilization pretty quickly. 

Hooker > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/10/2020 at 09:17

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Holler at me. I’m at kthooker at gmail dot com. It would be so cool to meet up and such! 

Hooker > DipodomysDeserti 10/10/2020 at 09:18

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Years ago (20 or so) my family and I went vacationing at Lake Powell. We rented a houseboat for a week and left out of Wahweep Marina. It was an incredible time and I’d kill to go back. Not even house boating, just go.

Hooker > pip bip - choose Corrour 10/10/2020 at 09:18

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It’s a small blessing that is also a curse. 

DipodomysDeserti > Hooker 10/10/2020 at 12:01

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Yeah, the desert  around, and under, Lake Powell is much more beautiful than the stagnant water.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 10/10/2020 at 12:47

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Ah, that's good to hear. 

gmctavish needs more space > Hooker 10/11/2020 at 11:35

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The first time you shit in the woods is weird. After that, it just feels like a power move.

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/11/2020 at 22:00

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Feel free to come up anytime! 

Hooker > DipodomysDeserti 10/11/2020 at 22:01

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I was incredible. I know I only saw one part. But I crave more. 

Hooker > gmctavish needs more space 10/11/2020 at 22:03

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Thats the most truthful statement. Ever. I was terrified. But now? Fuck it.