¶ It's not in the cards.

“I should not go baackpacking. It's not in the cards.

Almost everytime I'm ready to leave for backpacking in GSMNP, something goes wrong with my car. This has been happening for several years and with several different cars. Yesterday morning I packed the trunk in preparation for departure today. Yesterday afternoon the indicators, speedometer, gas, etc., quit working. It was not just the fuse. The speedometer housing has to be ordered and replaced. The cost is about $450 and the car will not be ready until sometime Wednesday.

About one month ago I had the car completely packed and ready to leave the next morning. I went to the post office to mail some checks and a policeman backed into me! It cost me a week without the car and the policeman about $810. Twice, on the morning as I started to leave, the inside rear-view mirror fell off. Another time the driver's door window dropped out of its' frame.

I may go back to taking the bus to GSMNP. I've done it several times. It is a long trip, but they will stop along I-40 at the Waterville exit, where the AT passes.”

“That's some tough luck nowslimmer. I had the oil pump go out on my truck on my way down to my first backpacking trip. Fortunately I had my cellphone with me, and I was still close to home.”

“Maybe you should get a TRUCK! LOL!”

“That sucks, but I suppose it's better to have the mishaps before the trip than breaking down after leaving the trailhead! That is what usually happens with me.

Oh the stories I have...”

“Take the bus, man! No kidding, Now! That is some rough luck, but this could've mad for a good Twilight Zone episode..”

“

"Oh the stories I have..."
Hikin Mike

I bet you do. I have more, too.

One car stopped running within a few miles of the park and had to be towed to Waynesville. Another boiled over on the Foothills Parkway near Cosby. A car battery died after I reached Cataloochee. Last fall I had to have some wheel bearings replaced in Waynesville. I started a 19-day hike out of Elkmont as a tire was going flat! But these things I consider normal. I'm just wondering if it is more than a coincidence with the breakdowns that occur just as I prepare to leave.”

“Oh! On one old car the clutch cable broke as I was leaving Cosby one evening. With five gears(manual shift), I drove 670 miles home in 3rd gear. I made two stops for gas and restarted the car in first gear. Then without the clutch, I was able to carefully shift to second and then third keeping the motor speed close to the speed of the car. But I was unable to get it in fourth or fifth. I drove about 60 mph and actually got just as good gas mileage.”

“Take somebody else's car! DO any of your kids live nearby? THey owe you, man!”