After our first 26 mile day we stayed in Ashville for a zero. In the morning we went to REI to replace my shoes. They were a little beat up on the outside, but the biggest issue for me was on the soles. One of them got a wrinkle on it that would not go away. Given some time, it surely would have messed up my foot.

I also returned a pair of pants that developed a hole in the back pocket.  When we were in Gatlinburg, I stood up to leave a restaurant and my wallet slid out of the pocket and down my leg!

REI was great about the returns though.  I picked out a new pair of shoes (still Brooks, but a different model, Caldera) as well as a new pair of pants, all for $20. The difference in the price of the pants when I bought them on sale trip.

I felt like a kid on the first day of school!

After REI I stopped at the Orvis store to pick up a couple new flies. I am really hoping to get more use out of my fly rod soon.

For dinner we hit an all you can eat buffet called Asiana.  It may have been the best one I have ever been to. It was a little adventurous getting to though.  I think the GPS tried to kill us!

The interior looked like a really nice Hibachi restaurant. They had several rings of buffet stations, including one with all kinds of sushi rolls. They’re was also, oysters, clams crayfish and frog legs, in addition to the standard Chinese buffet fare.

My only regret was that my stomach did not feel up to the task and I at a normal meal as opposed to a hiker hunger fueled seek and destroy mission.

The best part, it was only about $13/person!

After dinner, I went back to my room for a shower and an early bedtime to get ready for the next day. Can’t wait to get back on the trail!