Appalachian Trail (day 18) - Erwin TN to Iron Mountain / mile 366
It was raining all night, it briefly stopped at 5 AM and I used that opportunity to pack up and leave the campsite as I knew it was coming back. It didn't took long to get off trail but the walk to the shops was quite long. I've stopped at the Shell station, just before it started to rain again. Cars were coming in and out but no one was taking the fuel, which I though was a bit odd. People were buying food or drinks and driving off. I've bought a coffee and a sausage and bacon roll and I stood outside looking at the first daylight starting to come through. I saw a couple going into the station, they were not coming out for a long time. I went back in after half an hour to brush my teeth and use the toilet, they were still inside gambling on the two slot machines. I thought to myself, who wakes up before dawn and goes to a gas station to gamble? What kind of sad existence is that. But also who puts slot machines at the gas station in the first place anyway? I ...