Editor’s note: Salisbury native David Freeze is running across the state from Murphy to Manteo. The Post is chronicling each day of his journey. Contact him at david.freeze@ctc.net.

I told everyone how I got lost in Franklin on Monday night, causing an after-dark arrival.

That was OK because I had a room and a cold rain was predicted.

Because I was late to arrive, my process to get ready for bed was delayed. When I went to plug up my phone and iPad, I realized that I didn’t have the cords. I knew right away that I had left them in the motel that morning.

Usually all I lose is clothes, except the one time that I lost my cellphone. And the time I lost my raincoat …

A walk over to the Hot Spot took care of the cords, but I was very late getting to bed. Up early, I hoped there was no rain. It started just about the time that I was ready to head out the door, so I waited.

I checked my text messages and found that my debit card had been used twice in Kenya. So now, that debit card doesn’t exist.

Finally, just after 9 a.m. Tuesday, I headed out, rain or not. My goal was Highlands, but I was reluctant to take Highlands Road because it wasn’t called U.S. 64.

While heading south, I saw a sign that said U.S. 64 East and I followed it. It turned out to be the truck route, not the one I wanted. I asked directions twice and finally found that Highlands Road becomes U.S. 64.

Siri didn’t understand either. More time and miles wasted, but finally I was on the right track.

Just about six miles out of Franklin, the road began to climb and had severe switchbacks. I had been walking while meeting traffic as I went uphill but there was no road shoulder. The rain was still steady, and I needed a better way.

I swapped to the other side, letting traffic ease around like I was on a bike. It worked perfectly.

Up and up I went, pushing through the Cullasaja Gorge. A beautiful river was rushing downhill as I was climbing up. Eventually, the rain stopped, just before I got to Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Both were spectacular and right on U.S. 64.

I kept climbing up to Highlands, arriving just past 5 p.m. I had planned to go to Cashiers and would have made it if not for the wasted time from the rain, the debit card and my own bad road choice.

Arriving in Highlands, I was stopped by two girls in a car who said, “So, you are really running across the state? That is so cool!” They could tell by the sign on the baby jogger, not the pace that I was moving.

I walked nearly the whole time Tuesday.

I met Davis Moore as he was running by. I asked him where I could get a cheap motel and he told me that there were none. I asked two more women and one of them recommended what turned out to be my home for the night, the Mitchell Lodge and Cottages.

After all these years of traveling, I have finally arrived. I have a big porch with rockers, a gas fireplace, a huge room with a kitchen and so much more. The bed could sleep about half of my ex-wives, and I plan to be in it on time.

The rate was higher than usual, but not ridiculous for the nice place that it is.

This is a town where the grocery store has the highest prices I have seen in the U.S., and motel rates in the offseason are still very high.

Today, I am going to be headed east with some snow flurries, a very cold wind and not much in prospects for a room unless it is too soon or too late.

The hair dryer has already dried my shoes and has given out while trying to dry my cold weather mittens. I will have on everything I brought along today and the next day.

I am at 4,318 feet in elevation after 24 miles. It was a very challenging day with all the climbing.

I hope everyone enjoys the pictures and has been enjoying my run/walk so far. The total mileage has passed 100 miles, pretty good for such hilly country.

See you back here tomorrow to find out how the cold affects the journey.