May 3 & 4, 2021

Ugly weather has pushed me off the trail for a couple days in Roan.  Heavy rain and thunderstorms from time to time.  As I write this post, it is a monsoon. The forecast says that it should subside tomorrow so I will make a break for it in the morning.  In the meantime I am currently holed up at the Mountain Harbor B&B and hostel.

This is the B&B part.

This is the hostel where I am staying.

The inside of the hostel:

Ground floor coffee and dining area.

Second floor bunk room and loft.


I snagged a cubby hole room off the bunk room.

Everyone has raved about the breakfast here which is served up at the B&B.  I’ll see for myself tomorrow before I hit the road.

When I got here I got the hiker box full of supplies that Deirdra sent.  I’m set for several days.  Looks like I will need only a small resupply to reach my destination in Damascus.

Much attention has been focused on the Corona Virus.  Interestingly the vaccine has been available to hikers at hostels and trail towns along the way and lots of hikers are taking advantage of this.

There are of course other illnesses hikers are wary of, limes disease borne by ticks and Norovirus which is a debilitating intestinal ailment.  I began to hear about Norovirus cases as I reached Erwin the other day.  It’s usually spread through close physical contact or on surfaces.  Need to be diligent about good hygiene practices.

Ticks are also a major concern and three hikers I was with the other day found ticks on them.  Mostly on their clothes.  After careful exam I found none on me.  I treated my clothes and equipment with permethrin and it appears to be doing it’s job.  I’ll be checking closely until I am done with this hike.

Saw a snake by the edge of the creek.  Looks like a water snake which is non venomous.  He is hard to see in the picture but his head is visible a little left of the center.

The trail is going to be muddy tomorrow.