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.