We left Neels Gap after some sage advice and a picture with our buddy Baltimore Jack. It sprinkled on us as we left but the temperature was warm. I really hit my stride that day and felt I was slowly getting my trail legs back. We got to stay in our first shelter that night. It was nice to wake up to dry gear but sleeping in the shelters is near impossible. I was up all night listening to the mice scurry around our heads or the guy in the corner stomping and thrashing about. There was also a hiker who was either snoring or flailing about in the noisiest sleeping bag I've ever heard. Needless to say, it was a long night. We left the next morning and Micro began complaining about some knee pain he was having. He was moving extra slow on the downhills and looked like he was in a lot of pain. When we got down to Unicoi gap, we decided it would be best for him to rest up so we hitched into Haiwasee where we spent to night in the hot tub, relaxing our sore muscles. The next day, Neon and I had prepared to slack pack (carry only the essentials for day hiking while someone brings the rest of your gear forward). Unfortunately, friday the 13th was in full force and I caught some hot ash in my eye while standing near the fire. My eye swelled up and it was very difficult to see so we decided to take a zero and let Micro rest up some more. That Saturday we got a hitch up to the trail and realized Neon left his speaker in the back of the truck we rode in. With little information about the guy, we asked everyone if they knew him but with no luck. We started to hike in but Micro was moving slow still with his knee. Two and a half miles in, we decided he wouldn't be able to make the 16 mile section before dark. He turned around and went back in to town. Neon and I kicked butt and finished 16 miles in just under 6 hours. We got to the road, ragged from the day, and hitched back in to Haiwasee to meet up with Micro. That's when we got the terrible news. Micro had a torn meniscus and was going home to Minnesota. We thought of all the other possibilities but it was inevitable, he had to go get better. We had one night left to camp together so we hitched back up to the trail. When we got to the trail head parking lot, we spotted the car with Neons speaker, still sitting in the truck bed where he left it. We waited for the guy to finish his day hike before retrieving it and heading out. We stayed near a shelter four miles in and stayed up late reminiscing about the past week around the fire. I woke up the next morning to Neon trying to rouse Micro from his sleep but was getting no reply. Other hikers informed us that they had found micro around four am huddled and shivering in the shelter. Panic washed over me as there was still no response from Micros tent. Finally a groggy "what" came out and we could all breathe again. When he woke up he told us the whole story. Apparently in the middle of the night, he woke up thirsty but without any water. He decided to go down a side trail he hadn't been down before to get to the spring for water. After he filled up, he turned back but had lost the trail. After countless tries to find the trail and his warm tent, he gave up and tried to huddle in the shelter close by for warmth. When he realized it was way too cold to be out there, he roused a sleeping hiker and asked for help. Even that hiker got lost a few times before finding the trail and sending Micro on his way. After have a very good, long laugh at Micros expense, we dilly dallyed around the fire, not wanting Micro to hike out and leave us. We said our finally goodbyes and slowly parted ways. We miss him every day. I hiked for a bit until I found a nice spot to sit and read for a bit. Then I met Neon on the summit of a bald and easily had the most amazing view of the trip so far. We watched as the sun dropped below the distant ridges. As the pure joy of the moment hit me, tears began streaming down my face. The incredible happiness and fullness I felt at that moment was overwhelming. We sat there in silence. It was a windy night on top of the mountain but totally worth it for the sunrise I caught the next morning. After taking it all in, we packed up and headed off quick. We hiked together for a while, which made the miles fly by and before we new it, we were crossing mile 100 on top of Mt. Albert. It was at this point that we realized it was st. Patrick's day and decided it would be a shame not to get down to town and grab a beer. We flew the next six miles to the road, completing our longest day yet and got a ride into Franklin, NC. It's an awesome little town that was having a celebration where we got free corn beef sandwiches and met with the locals. We met an incredibly nice couple there. The husband is starting up a brewery in town called the Lazy hiker and his wife teaches yoga and has classes for hikers! It's called Beyond Bending Yoga and is new in town. We then stopped by the outfitter in town where they served us beer and didn't mind the smell as we browsed around. The guys there are incredibly knowledgeable and even let us stay there after closing hanging and trail talking. Then my favorite trail angel by far came to pick us up. My Aunt Marya lives out here and was nice enough to come pick us up and take us back to her amazing home for fresh meals and showers! Her home is in the most wonderful and serene area, we've loved every minute of being here and visiting. We begrudgingly head back out to the trail tonight for some very cold and rainy weather. Mile 109 and feeling great!!