It has been such a great experience to have Mark come along with me for the beginning of this journey. I expect I will feel very lonely after he leaves to return home to resume his life as a busy professional musician. It has been great, though, having Jil, Mark's partner, meet us today in Franklin, NC. We plan to go to a free pancake breakfast for hikers at a local church in the morning. Then Mark and Jil will take me back to Deep Gap where we left the Trail and where I will resume my journey. In about 4 more days I should reach the Natahala Outdoor Center and will hopefully be able to add a few words more "from the trail."