Until this trip, I actually had not repeated any OAR trips at all. Even then, this trip was much different from the first time I went to Whorley's Cave and Roan Mountain. For one, I did not think that I was going to freeze to death at any points. I went in an early car with Mike, Carolanne, and Mike's mom. We drove to Jacksonville, where Mike is also from, and picked up his mother. We also helped her pack, which was one of the funniest parts of the entire trip. She was horrified by the fact that we don't typically shower on OAR trips and insisted on packing shampoo regardless. Mike seemed irritated but I was entirely sympathetic and told her that I alway carry copious amounts of wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and deodorant. Once she was packed, we took off for North Carolina. I must note the fantastic restaurant that we stopped at for dinner on the way up. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, it is called Spice Junction and it's an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet just off the interstate. The owners are extremely friendly, though they do frown upon wasting food and they will charge you for an extra plate if you waste too much. They bring fresh bread, called naan, to the table and the buffet itself is delicious. They also have this creamy mango sauce for you to pour over your dessert that is literally to die for. It is INCREDIBLE. Mike and I returned to Spice Junction over winter break and we were both so sad and disappointed that they were out of mango sauce that we discussed it at length during and after dinner. Spice Junction, don't forget it. The reviews on Urban Spoon speak for themselves. They also have a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spice-Junction/186180021450925. Google Spice Junction Columbia, SC right now and start planning your own trip there. It's worth it.
We were the first to arrive at Whorley's and I remembered exactly where it was after having been so lost the first time we went. We slept in the cave, which was very disorienting. Caves are just so dark and so quiet that it's hard to tell how much time has passed. People typically have crazy, vivid dreams and I was no exception. When everyone was waking up the next morning, I thought they were just getting there and I was annoyed that everyone was being so loud. Then, I poked my head out of my sleeping bag and realized that I was the only one still sleeping. I quickly packed and headed back to the car. Then we started caving. We didn't spend a lot of time in Whorley's because we got turned around and ended up skipping over half the scale. Regardless, it was an enjoyable experience once again and it was nice to arrive at Roan Mountain with a decent amount of daylight.
Part of the reason that I went in the early car was because we were doing a much shorter version of the hike, heading to the campsite and then turning around and coming back the same five or six miles the next morning. I was actually really excited because last time we had gone to Roan, it had been to dark to see the views atop the balds and to enjoy the first leg of scenery. We hiked as the sun was setting and didn't need our lights until after we had passed the first campsite. When we arrived, everyone was cooking on the fire and there were a ton of non-OAR people there. The shelter is an old barn with a second floor, where I slept. It offered decent protection from the wind though I was still somewhat cold during the night. It was Tara's birthday, so her mom was also on the trip and we all sat around the campfire singing happy birthday, loudly and off-key. 
The next morning, we split from the main group and headed back to the car. The hike back was more difficult, with more uphill sections. We stayed mostly together although Mike was much faster. I enjoyed talking to Carolanne and Mike's mother along the way and it was interesting to gain her perspective of the trip. She definitely liked the hiking and I think she also appreciated the opportunity to bond with her son, who, like me, is constantly out of town on similar trips. The trail was also beautiful, with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. All the leaves were changing across the mountains, vivid colors of orange, red, yellow, and brown exploding all around me. When we got back to the car, however, I realized that I had two giant, quarter-sized (or bigger) blisters, one on each heel. My hiking boots weren't fully broken in and such a lengthy hike tore my feet apart. Luckily, I didn't notice the pain until I took my shoes off and I had extra shoes waiting for me in the car. I have since learned to wrap my ankles and heels in ace bandages before longer hikes, though I think the boots are pretty well-worn at this point.
Events occurred: October 19-21, 2012
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