6/11 The mountains of North Carolina are beautiful, big, and very HOT right now. Pete and Karen completed their journey in Hot Springs, NC on the 9th, 29 DAYS, 273 miles, (and many pounds lost) after their start. I joined them for the last 2 1/2 days, in record heat. After 26 days on the trail, Pete and Karen were blessed with the presence of their first bear at camp, but it’s day two for me! I know I’ve always been a critter magnet…. But what the hey? Karen returned home to the TC by train from Charlottesville, and Pete and Renee are now on the road to the east coast.