Let the Good Times Roll

The Appalachian trail has taken me to the town of Hot Springs, NC. I have trekked through approximately 274 miles of the beauty that the AT has to offer.  My legs/feet have been getting a work out of their lifetime, but I am still going strong. There is not a day that I wish I could be in my lover's arms (Chelsea) but the time will come when we will be reunited again.

On my adventure I encountered Squash, a past AT thru-hiker who entrusted a stranger (me) his car so he could enjoy some whitewater kayaking and not needing to worry to hitch a ride back to his car. 

Some towns charge a leg and a half to resupply.  Here was my last bill for about 6 days of food to get through the Smoky National Park at Fontana Village.

Just before entering the Smoky National Park, I got the opportunity to weigh my pack.  46 pounds!!! What?!?! Eventually I was able to send 5 more pounds home at Hot Springs!!! It's exciting dropping pack weight; you have no idea. 

 

The trail name is official ('Z').  Thanks Forget Me Not for stitching it onto my pack's brain.  It looks awesome!!!

Progress but yet so far away!!! Katahdin Maine 1972 miles away.  I am also wearing my brand new rain jacket; realized in the storm that my 8 year old rain jacket just absorbed the water like a sponge.

The Smoky Mountains were cold, wet, muddy, icy, and foggy;
but we got it done!!!

 The last day in the Smoky Mountains it finally cleared up!

 Be very careful and  look were you are headed.  I spilled some blood at one of the shelters by walking into the roof.  You can see where I dented the metal.  It will be a nice scar on my head.  But all is well.

It was time for some night hiking!!! Well only an hour and a half of night hiking.  1st Blood and I did 25 miles and then 26 miles the next day. What a work-out, but well worth the zero day in Hot Springs.

 Trail Magic couldn't get even better!  The dog's owner had resupply snacks for all of us.  

The Path

With every step a crunch.  With every breath a step closer to the end.  The path ahead is laid with fallen leafs.  Sometimes the leafs are dry, sometimes wet.  Sometimes its a blanket of snow.  Out here one can encounter every season within a few days.  It can be hot or it can be cold. But nothing can deter the will power of 'Z' (my trail name). I am ready FOR ANYTHING!!!

My first setbacks started with my right knee, then it was the creation of blisters on my feet, then pain in my big toes, and then chaffing between my legs.  However, all these pains are worth being in the wilderness with great friends and the wisdom that you obtain.  I would not change a thing.  You learn a lot about your body and mind.

On the AT one follows white blazes.  Sometimes these white blazes merge with other colored blazes. For instance yellow.  White blaze....white...white and yellow...white and yellow...yellow...yellow... Follow the white blazes. Wait!  No more white blazes?  What happened?  Before I realized we are lost.  We took a wrong turn and added additional mileage.  At least we got to burn more calories. Sometimes you have to look at the positive and humor always helps.

We once again experience the love and kindness from strangers known to thru-hikers as trail angels.  As we trekked hard we were greeted with fresh fruit.  Fresh strawberries, pineapple, and bananas followed by either coffee or orange juice.  The trail angels only purpose is to bring joy to the hikers and encouragement. 

 We conquered 1 state (Georgia)...13 to go. North Carolina you are next.

Thanks to Tom and Angie V. for the delicious meals:)

You also cannot forget to drink the local brew after a long day of hiking.










What other things do you experience? You experience hitching into town, watching the sunset, playing spades to having a feast of hot dogs.  All these memories and the memories to be created will be cherished forever.

So what do thru-hikers do when they go to town? In towns our crew of 5 and soon to be more indulge ourselves in all you can eat buffets and pizza, resupply, and try to fit back into society with our stench due to not showering for days.  Our crew to the few is known as the Motley Crew! 

I can hear the Smokies calling!!!

The Appalachian Trail is a place to find the most kind-hearted people.  All strangers with one goal: to hike to Katahdin Mountain.  All ready to lend a hand and accompany all who journey on the trail.  I started my hike on February 27th.  My pack came in at 52 pounds at the beginning of the approach trail that leads to Springer Mountain, which is the start of something great for many, the Appalachian Trail.  Maybe I originally over packed considering some items that would have become useful but in the end have not been used at all.  Also, wanting to experience first hand the terrain and the distance that I will be traveling each day; I packed 10 days of food.  As I have learned 3 days of food is plentiful and that I have already sent home about 5 pounds of gear.  This brings my pack weight in the high 30s which I am excited to experience the lighter load as my right knee has been stiffing and giving me trouble.  Nothing to worry, it won't stop me from reaching my goal.  After 4 pain relievers and 45 minutes my leg is back to normal like my earlier days when I used to climb 14ers.  Hopefully some rest and time will bring it back to its original strength. Now where to start with the stories? So many experiences to be told but not enough time tell them all. 

First of all a shout out to Stu for giving me a lift to Amicalola Falls National Park. Thanks buddy!!! Greatly appreciated. 

At Stover Creek Shelter I encountered Forget Me Not, Beast, and 4 Fingers; however soon 4 Fingers left our crew and new thru-hikers joined our pack.  4-Fingers quickly got his name after attempting to chop wood with his knife.  The knife should have gone through the log but instead went into his flesh right through his knuckle, where his finger dangled.  Without panic 4 Fingers snapped his finger back into place and taped it up.  A few shards of bone probably got sliced by his knife.  The following second day 4-Fingers hiked into town to see a doctor.  We haven't heard from him yet. 

Trail Magic!  Trail Magic is a blessing.  I have already experienced it three times.  Thanks to Fresh Ground I enjoyed 3 hot dogs for lunch while hiking through an road crossing.  Thanks to the Louisiana Church for free hamburgers and granola bars.  The joys trail magic brings to hikers after hiking with a heavy pack.  It's priceless.




Playing sticks with fellow hikers at one of the shelters and sitting around the campfire enjoying each others company. 

The freezing nights, where you wake up to a Winter Wonderland with 1 inch of ice on the trees and every surrounding object.

Overall, all is well.  And in the next following two days we will be entering North Carolina.  Currently me and 5 others are staying at Budget Inn in Hiawassee, GA.  We are at mile 69.6 plus the 8.8 miles for the approach.  Better take it slow in the beginning.