Cherokee to Icewater Spring

Lucky Penny is leaving the trail. Another one bites the dust! Scout and Backtrack too, but they were just section hiking to Newfound Gap. Nosense (previously Andy, before my giving him a trail name) is also leaving, supposedly to come back to us after three days off...but we shall see. I sent a heavy pair of pants home...I am carrying too much crap. I am looking forward to Pearisburg to send my heavy warm stuff home. I am thinking of switching sleeping bags too. Mine weighs 4 lbs (HEAVY!) and is a 15 degree bag, totally unnecessary soon. But, I don't want to buy a new one. Does anyone have a super lightweight summer bag I could borrow? My other option is to just buy a cheap Walmart bag for the summer.
Chef and Nothai wanted to visit Cherokee, so Bluto took us all there so they could see what an American Indian reservation looks like. I knew not to get too excited, and it was exactly what I'd expected, worse actually. I lost my rain hat a while ago, so I was looking for a baseball cap in town, but decided not to get one there.
Chef was talking about a book I want to read, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I'm writing it down so I don't forget about it later. We walked 3 miles and are staying at Icewater Shelter. I've also sworn off burgers and fries today. We got Burger King right before heading back and it sat like a rock in my gut the whole 3 miles. I realized I feel that way after burgers always and I'm done eating crap food in town rather than the fresh food I should be eating. Chef and I both vowed no more burgers and fries. We met a few guys out for the weekend getting away from the kids and wives; Stick, Mr. Clean, and Handle. Also here is Ging-er and Transition. The Smokies are looking more like the Smokies now, I think it has something to do with the fog rolling in however.

Silers Bald to Gatlinburg

We were getting ready this morning and Nothai exclaimed that his trekking poles were missing! He said someone must have taken off with his and left theirs, because the ones left were the same brand but felt wrong and were adjusted too short for him. Chef and I told him we'd meet up at Clingman's Dome later if he wanted to try to hunt down his poles. He took off...
Chef and I ran into tons of day hikers on the way, asking us lots of questions and treating us sort of like celebrities, even taking our pictures. Being female, they were further in awe by us than the males they had passed earlier.
We met Nothai at Clingmans Dome and took some pictures. I am so happy to say that the weather was nice and we had good views. Last time I was in the Smokies, the weather was crap and the view was terrible, so this was great!
The first half of the Smokies has been completely different than what I expected. I guess before I had come here before and camped years ago, I hiked mostly at lower elevations and was scouting waterfalls. Now I'm walking high ridgelines and it feels like a totally different place.

I said I was going to walk down the road to Newfound Gap instead of the trail because it would have better views of the mountains. Chef is insistent on passing every white blaze, so we separated with Nothai following me. Maybe a mile down the road a couple from Florida stopped and asked us if we wanted a ride down. “THIS IS CHEATERY!” ran through my head, and I took it! I skipped 7 miles, and I'm so okay with it. Anyone who has a fundamental problem with this, HYOH (Hike Your Own Hike)!
Nothai and I made lunch waiting for Chef and answered a bajillion questions from passing tourists, asking if were thru-hikers, and all about the experience. It was actually neat to see people so interested in what we were doing. Nothai had a Frenchman's dog get very friendly with him. LOL! A few other hikers found us and were amazing and confused how we got there before them when they were sure they had been in front of us! We fessed up. The definition of 'hiker trash' was captured as a bunch of us lay there on the shaded concrete looking scummy and homeless.

We were napping and heard, “VERY NI-CE!” (Borat style). This was confusing to me, because I thought Nothai was asleep and the only other person....BLUTO! Bluto had rented a car, gone to his doctors and decided to see if he could catch us here to give us a ride into town. He also brought Trail Magic for us and the others that were passing through. We went into Gatlinburg and stayed at the Grand Prix (a very hiker friendly place) were we ran into a bunch of other fellow hikers. It is a good thing too, because we weren't planning on stopping at all, and after the last three days of heat my clothes were salt encrusted and I smelled the worst yet!
Lastly, we passed the 200 mile mark today, and have entered into the third state (TN) as I started the Smokies. I'm no longer wearing underwear while hiking. Nothai also pointed out to me that using Iodine for my water treatment might be a REALLY poor idea and potentially kill. I thanked him and called my doctor because I hadn't thought of it. My doctor said its okay, but I think my doctor is confused on what I was talking about. I didn't even think about it, but Iodine isn't something I should be using. Back to the water tablets. I confirmed with an outfitter (Happy Hiker) that the tablets only need 30 minutes to treat for most stuff. The dude actually has thyroid disease also and said that yeah, using iodine was really bad and I should not use it at all. I'm now doubting the intelligence of my GP.

14.7 miles!

I hauled this morning! I don't know what happened, but I was leading Nothai and Chef and did 3 miles in 1 hour and 15 minutes. I was just cruising! I'm usually like that mornings. The days energy for me is not steady. It is a roller coaster of highs and lows. Maybe I've always been that way, but you don't know it until you are actually exerting yourself all day. It was also another big mileage day - 14.7 miles total! My feet hurt and my body is sore at the end - obviously, but not too much like I pushed too hard. It was a good walk though, the three of us talking about lots of stuff, relationships, etc. and even singing camp/kid songs. I really liked walking by myself before, but I'm also liking hiking with others great company as well. Especially to get different perspectives on things from two people that aren't from the US. We met our second ridge runner, Kentucky Blue who was helpful about what to expect up ahead. A few days ago, Greybeard warned that fires weren't allowed at all right now. He had failed to tell us about the bear sightings though.

So there aren't usually privy's at the Smokey shelters and instead there are 'toilet areas' which we have named 'sh*t hill' because people think somehow it means that you don't have to bury anything and it is okay to leave toilet paper strewn about too! It is so gross - Chef and I have both stepped in human crap once each already. It is really upsetting to see these areas and think about the people (I'd like to think it isn't thru-hikers) that disregard common sense.

Fontana to Russel Field

Last night Nothai and I walked down to the dam and watched the sunset. He is afraid of heights and it was funny to watch him. Even when I bent over to look down over the edge, he would get chills vicariously! A bunch of others came to the dam for the sunset as well. It wasn't nearly as awesome as the postcard in the visitors center, but it was pretty cool. Screefreak and I bought a bunch of chips and dip and wine coolers after Chef sprung for hot dogs and buns. We hung at the huge fire that someone made. There are a bunch of people here. Nano's sister and brother in law joined him here to hike with him through the Smokies.
Woke up to watch the sunrise with Nothai, Sky and Bluto. Bluto's leg still hurts a lot and he is not continuing with us, needing to go to a doctor if another zero day doesn't fix it. Chef, Nothai, Andy and I also left this morning without Screfreak because he is picking up his girlfriend from England in a day and then they are hiking the Smokies together. I'm sure we will see him again, fast little bugger he is! We entered Smokey Mountain National Forest and I did my highest mileage day so far, 13.5! It helps to be on fresh rested feet I guess. It was a tough climb though, and it didn't help that Nothai kept trying to get us to go back to the pool! Chef also wasn't feelin' it today and didn't perk up until after lunch. It is so hard to leave 'town'.
The shelter log reported bears at night trying to get food from the bag cables. The shelter is one of the last remaining with metal fencing to keep the bears out (or hikers in)! And in the park, backcountry hikers are required to sleep in the shelter. As we were sitting making/eating dinner, Nothai goes over to go to the bathroom and comes back, "Holy shit! A bear, a bear!" We all jump up and go where he is standing there. And all of us are looking at...no joke, a bear! He was kind enough to stay put for all of us to get some pictures and then ran away. We were very careful to hang every scented item and went to bed without any other sightings. A strange guy is with us tonight, talking about how he wants to sleep outside the shelter and have a pile of rocks handy to throw rocks at any bear that comes up to him. We all discus that this dude is a bit off!

Fontana Hilton

One zero day makes everything better! So first, I'll appologize if I repeat myself anywhere, I sort of shorthand different thoughts to write about later and don't always remember if I've already written something or not.

Karma went home even before we reached Fontana, which was upsetting...would have been nice to say goodbye to him. I met a bunch of new people at the shelter there, the Fontana Hilton. A bunch of us went to the dam to watch the sunset (pictures coming), which was nice and then I went to bed early because Nothai and I talked about waking early for the sunrise. I got to sleep the first time with the rainfly off because it was so nice - it was great to feel the light breeze all night and look up at the stars.

Fontana Village

Today was a short 5.5 miles into Fontana Village. I hiked into the first road and then hitched in the rest of the way on a gross truck that had garbage and muck on the bottom. The truck already had picked up several other hikers, so Lucky Penny and I jumped thankful not to walk the last two miles. I got two boxes from the post office within the two hour window they were open (Thank Goodness, I might have missed it without the hitch into town!). Thank you Cristy for helping me out with the home side of mailing my junk back and forth. Thank you Grandma Toni for the cookies and milk. I shared and the CFC loves you and thinks you rock too! The box Cristy sent was supposed to have my next batch of pills, including the Synthroid I ran out of a little while ago. I've never been off this drug since starting it. This isn't good! The box was kind of mangled and I wonder if maybe they had fallen out.

It was really neat today as Fontana Lake was right next to me as I was making my way into town. For the last couple of weeks I've seen it in the distance, and now HERE IT IS! It is incredible to know that I've actually covered all that distance (about 165 miles so far!) We are taking a zero day here. We all really need it and agreed that a day of R&R is a requirement. Andy got a cabin that we all stayed in and pitched some money to him for our living room slumber party. It was Bluto, Nothai, Chef, Screefreak and I. I really enjoy the social in town times. It is obviously great to let the body heal and recover, but to mentally decompress and spend time with everyone is really precious time spent for me. Bluto and Nothai are hilarious. Chef and Screfreak are so great too, all of us making fun of the others accents. We hung out at the pool during the day with a bunch of other hikers; Moe, Ninja (previously Wendy, whom I also named), Scavenger, and others.

Tonight we stay at the Fontana Hilton shelter and head into the Smokies tomorrow...oh man! I'm a little scared, although Lucky Penny (who thru hiked once before) eased my mind a bit and said it isn't anything that we haven't already been through.

I couldn't upload pictures here, so there will be a lot next week. There is an updated address to Standing Bear Farm that I'll be at in one week, since my dates were so screwy and I needed to have Cristy send emergency replacement drugs.
Miss Everyone Much!

Crap Day

Today may have been the worst day I've had honestly. I think it has been a culmination of a lot of things today, but at one point early in the day I was hiking with the rest of CFC (shortened Clusterfunk Crew), something I actually don't generally do as I prefer hiking alone, and I was holding back tears. I think if I'd been by myself today, it may have been a tantrum day. I'm not sure if it was better or worse that I held it in. It has been a hot, difficult couple of days and my feet and body are hurting (general pain, swelling, etc.), I ran out of multi-vitamins and Synthroid a few days ago (they were missing from my mail drop) so my body isn't processing energy correctly, maybe I've not been eating enough or staying hydrated with how much I'd been sweating, the flies were out of control (ignoring the 100% Deet spray pen I bought), my thighs are chaffing from the seams on the new pants and body glide isn't working because of sweating, my crotch was also extremely sweaty and itchy too (gross I know, but true)! I was also thinking of home a lot and missing the comforts of real life. I know this is just a bad day...I'm not discouraged or thinking of quitting-it was just a miserable day and I almost couldn't take it. Oh, I also stabbed myself with my nose screw and got a bloody nose and am re-thinking the ring for this trip. I wish my pansy feet would get with the program.

On the other hand, it really made me appreciative for all we have in the real world on a daily basis. It was a very humbling experience today. I was talking to Bluto about this and he said, "Maybe you are PMSing" - which could be true too... :) Out here, everything is magnified because everything is being torn down to basic needs and the surface is removed. I just wanted today what I couldn't have and like a kid, I almost threw a tantrum in the store at the checkout lane because mom wouldn't buy me a candy bar. Mmmm....candy bar, and sushi, ice cream....Ugh!

Grassy Gap to Brown Fork (i think)?

It sounded like there were hyenas around camp last night. Nothai, who apparently does know what hyenas sound like for real said it was nothing like it, but that is the only way I can describe the sounds that some animals (birds we think) were making last night after the nice soothing owls sounds I heard too.

Today was another hellish day, climbing the rest of the way up "false summit mountain" I've renamed it. It was only 8 something miles, but almost all uphill and steep...I'm exhausted. I'm in my tent, escaping the black biting flies (yeah, they never really left unless it is cold or rainy).

Nothai brought up widowmakers (falling trees) and now all of us are worried about it, assessing trees around us before setting up our tents. Chef and someone else said they actually have seen a tree falling during the day. That would suck, but I'm too tired to think about something I really have no control over. This is how fear manifests itself in the woods instead of the media in the real world. Haha!

Wesser to Grassy Gap

It was a horrible decent today into the NOC - 5 miles of steep downhill and my feet and knees are NOT happy about that. The Clusterfunk Crew (our little hodge podge hiking group has a name now) has lost it's first members. Windmill had been having some heel problems over the past few days and him and AT73 have decided to call it. They were sort of our glue, setting our daily pace and keeping us together. They are totally going to be missed, but I'm so happy to have had the chance to get to know these great fellow Illinites! Windmill is leaving us with his water bag to carry on in his memory. Karma is also talking about quitting in Fontana, as his calf has been hurting badly. He is trying to get Bluto to leave with him and hang out in Florida. I'll admit, Florida sounds wonderful, but I told Bluto if he keeps going we can all hang out in Florida together later! Nothai had me listen to some of the soundtrack of Into the Wild and I decided that not taking my Ipod was a mistake. I'm going to call Grandma and ask her to send it to Cristy to load up and send to me.

It was also a crazy ascent out of the NOC (5 miles up), but we stopped halfway near these neat looking rocks and camped, where we have met Wendy. Bluto and I had stopped at the NOC and showered, but by the time we were at camp it didn't matter.

It was a different feeling tonight, without Lauren and Windmill. We still had a good time, although Screefreak seems to have a problem keeping his balance when attempting to SIT! He fell off this log like three times in a row and I just couldn't stop laughing at him. He is so funny. He is always smiles! I love listening to him talk, especially when he uses words like 'dodgy' and 'britches'. He claims that we American's have ruined the English language. I explained we simply don't have any porridge!


I've had the first of what I'm sure will be many deep thoughts...

So, yesterday I was having some thoughts about "the past". I know...duh-duh-duh-DUH (Pink Panther). Actually, I was thinking about how it is silly that when we feel wronged by someone, we hold onto it, preciously, desperately even...like it is a part of ourselves that now makes up the whole of who you are. I was thinking about the people who I've felt hurt by and how I do this, I totally carry that with me as a part of who I am, and that is ridiculous. I've hurt people too, and that was my issue for doing so, not theirs, and I wouldn't think they would hold onto something dumb or thoughtless I did to determine anything about themselves. So then, with that logic in mind...I am letting go of hurts done to me by others because they don't dictate a thing about me.
Furthermore, today I was thinking about labels that we wear. I was imagining people running around covered in post-it notes with words on them, like "mother", "student", "smart", "bossy", etc. everything that we think of ourselves, and that others think of you. Its like along the way, we write these out and apply them to ourselves. Others write new post-it notes and put them on other people freely...sometimes they stay stuck to that person and sometimes they blow off. All along though, these labels and words are covering up the actual person...so that all you see then is the outline form of a body covered in yellow post-it notes. I feel like out here, I'm not covered in any post-it notes...and it is an amazing feeling. It is maybe even more so incredible to look at other people not covered in post-it notes too and see the truly amazing people they are. I know this might sound like hippy junk, and just ignore it if you don't see what I mean...I'm writing this more for me to remember and look back on later, in case I find myself covered in paper again.

Wayah to Wesser

I had crazy dreams lately of people I haven't thought about in a LONG time, mostly high school friends. I have thought during the day of these people briefly too...I'm sure that is it, but it is funny the things you think about when all you have to do all day is be alone with your thoughts. Oh, my sleeping bag stayed dry last night - SCORE! It had been damp in the morning after moisture seeped in from rain at night where the two walls were touching.
As I was walking, I met Apple, a trail maintainer of the N.H. club and he mentioned there was trail magic at the bottom of the mountain and possibly a Frapachino left. It is amazing how fast I went down (I'm usually pretty slow at descents) at the mention of a potential coffee beverage reward at the bottom! I stopped around 1:30 and had a big lunch and another helping of Ibuprofen, which helped push me along the rest of the day. I had been getting a 2PM blues lately, but I think I haven't been eating enough during the day. This really helped. Today as I was crossing Tellico Gap to head up to Wesser Bald (360 degree view) when I noticed some bikers hanging out at the gap. I quickly passed and moved on by. Halfway up the mountain, I saw someone behind me without a pack and got a bad feeling, remembering the bikers and what they say about crimes that happen on the AT are usually locals that cause trouble at gap road crossings. I book it up the mountain - and can't shake my non-pack wearing biker. Oh man, I was tearing up that mountain as the reality of what potentially was going on was setting in. That is some motivation for getting up a mountain! I burned some serious calories exerting myself to the max, cursing the weight of my pack as I went and the mysterious person was gaining on me. I was hoping fellow hikers would be at the top of the bald, but no such luck, so I got my knife out and got ready for the possibility of defending myself. Oh yeah, I'll be honest...I was scared. By the time he got up the mountain, he was as out of breath as I was and after a short conversation at a distance I determined that I wasn't in any danger. Two others scrambled up after, all cursing they'd even had the idea of climbing up here and not knowing what they had gotten themselves into. :) It turns out these guys ride their Harleys around the country and had heard there was a nice view up here so decided to try it out. Very nice guys from New England and very interested to hear about what I was doing too.

Winding Stair Gap to Wayah Shelter

Again, breakfast at Miss Janet's was great. We all answered an abstract question today as we went around the breakfast table, "If you were art, what would you be?" I said I was a sketch drawing for where I am in my life right now. Miss Janet serves a family style breakfast and has a huge place in her heart for hikers. She loves what she does and speaks her mind freely. I was eager to get going after watching an AT video with Chef yesterday.
The weather was very bizarre today. I'm sitting outside the bathroom before Wayah bald waiting for the sun to break. All day a thick blanket of fog (clouds really, because I'm that high) has been blowing off and on the mountains, like an eerie movie. The fire tower on the bald is supposed to have a great view and I'm waiting for a break to run up there and try to get some pictures.
So, Queen Becky suggested I take fish oil for joint/knee pain - anyone know anything about this? On the positive side, it is VERY lightweight...but I don't know enough about it. Also, how much is too much ibuprofen? I'm worried that I'm taking too much and don't want to damage my insides.
Everything is getting greener. Today the trees aren't actually blooming, but the section I've been walking, they are all covered in this green hanging moss that looks really neat. As I'm sitting here, Magic Stick just came up and I chatted with him a bit. Heading up to the tower...
I took my first video, and I'll get that up when I can - I'm not sure how great it turned out, but we will see!
I have been getting moisture in my tent, but I'm re-staking it tonight using all the guy (sp?) lines for better wall separation. I can't wait until it is nice enough to not even use the rain fly.

Haven's Budget Inn

I started this morning with the most awesome hospitality ever at the hands of Miss Janet's hostel. Okay, truly it is Ron Haven's but being run by Miss Janet. Queen Becky, Old Soul and I moved over to the hostel for a zero day because there are thunderstorms in the mountains. I don't mind walking in the rain and fog at all, but risking being struck by lightening isn't worth it. It was great to get to know some new people, and even ran back into Rabbit, Running Clear and Lucky Penny. I redid my schedule to see that I'm about 10 days behind schedule. I'm totally good with that, but I just wanted to check for drop box dates, etc. Miss Janet saw me trying to figure out the next couple of weeks and told me that the papers best use was to be burned and to stop wasting my time with schedules! :) We talked a bit about Trail Days and I'm committed to going, even if I'm not naturally in Damascus at the time. Miss Janet also said that the ATC convention in October is completely worth the time, but I'm not sure if I can make that. Went to dinner with a different group tonight to a Japanese/Chinese/Thai restaurant (I guess when your out in the middle of nowhere they all get lumped together). Itay has picked up the name Nothai, as he didn't eat any of the Thai noodles he ordered. The waitress was hilarious and very happy to have us hikers there. She offered to take our pictures with our cameras and we cracked up naturally when she said, "Okay, 3-1-2 Smile!" Ohmigosh - we are still cracking up on this one and often repeat it when taking group pictures. Panama Bill and Twokids also came to dinner. Our cheeks hurt from laughing and we got free dessert!

Rock Gap to Winding Stair Gap

A short 3.5 miles today to the gap to hitch into Franklin. Right at the gap - TRAIL MAGIC! Long View Baptist church in Franklin had a group that was giving out snacks and drinks to thru hikers and chairs to rest in. Thank you SO much! Queen Becky, Old Soul, Charlie dog (Old Soul's dog) and I are sharing a room again. I went to the outfitter and I got a drinking tube for my Platypus water bladder. It is super inconvenient to stop and take the Nalgene off my hip belt every time I want a drink and I think with this other method I'll stay more hydrated.

Okay - so time for gross stuff. If you are easily offended or don't want to think about me in a gross way, just skip the rest of this entry!

That is your fair warning...

Alright, so I have mastered peeing in the woods. Anyone who knows me or has gone camping with me the last few years knows I have a habit of peeing on myself if I have to squat in the woods. I think I wasn't crouching enough - I have found that finding a log or something to sort of sit on very low to the ground makes for the perfect pee spot without any splashing or dripping on your legs, shoes or pants. I've also now pooped in the woods successfully too! I sort of went into 'NERO' mode for the first couple of days, holding it till the end of the day when I was at camp and there are privy's, but nature called the other day...and it was fine. Using a tree in the form described above, I was able to have this also be a success. I haven't had any trouble with my period at all since cycling pills, so no worries there. I'm so glad I decided on a method that just avoids the whole mess. I have two pair of underwear that I switch between (washing out at night and drying during the day). I started getting some chaffing where the elastic band rubs along the underside of my thigh. I used some Neosporin and a day of going commando - all cleared up! Lastly, I have a purple bandanna that I warn all around me not to touch - it is not only my snot rag, but also my pee rag. I know, I was thoroughly disgusted at the thought of a pee rag too, but who wants to carry around used toilet paper (and pee is sterile)! I use the other half to wipe my nose after performing the action of 'snot rocketing'. Yes, another completely gross, I'd never do that thing, that I've become well versed in. I'm convinced I've had a sinus infection for the last couple of years and my nose is constantly runny - that would again be a lot of toilet paper to pack out. The solution? My "PS rag"!

Carter Gap to Rock Gap

OMG - third 12+ mile day, and I'm DONE with THAT! Albert Mountain was a killer - I thought I wasn't even on the trail anymore because it was like rock climbing up to the fire tower, but there were blazes after all. That was for sure the trickiest climb so far; if you were to misplace your foot and slip or fall you would for sure break something or die. It was tough, but it was amazing at the top and a great feeling of accomplishment. We were a little worried about Screefreek (from England) who carries a 60-70 lb. pack!
Big Butt Mountain was neat too, with the 15 foot walls of moss dripping water. Again, I wanted to die the last 2 miles and I was walking through rolling hills of trees that haven't yet bloomed, so I felt like I was in a desert! I mentioned to Windmill that I couldn't keep up that pace and I might fall behind in the future and he said that the plan wasn't to keep that up right now and we'd be falling back to 10ish mile days, which I think would be perfect for another week or so. Those last 2 miles kill me. I keep a decent pace and then DRAG the last two.
I really like the group we have right now, but I also know it is important to listen to my body and only do what I'm capable of.
We were all sitting at the shelter making dinner when some late comers started trickling in. Other hikers we'd never met and Itay, who I'd met briefly before at the hiker hostel. Was he really catching up to us? Bluto had just been talking about how he hoped he would catch up because he really had enjoyed talking to him. He in fact had, and had blisters to prove his 20+ mile days. The reunion of these two was great!
I had to re-stake my tent tonight because at first I was at too much of an incline, like I could have been forced to roll off my bed and down the mountain. It was still a bit too steep, but it was manageable with a tree for support. I woke up in the morning shoved to one side of the tent and against the tree. Queen Becky and I talked tonight before going to bed for a bit. Lastly, a curious mouse kept running around the outside of my tent and pack last night, but each time I heard anything I just smacked the tent and then it was quiet again.

Muskrat Creek to Carter Gap

Another 12+ mile day - from Muskrat Creek shelter to Carter Gap. My feet are feeling the high miles, but no blister pain...just the balls of my feet are hurting from sheer repeated beating upon the ground. :) I'm thinking of getting some squishier insoles for that, but I really like the arch support of the Superfeet. I'm afraid of changing what isn't giving me blisters, but then again my feet throb by the end of the day. I was really dragging the last few miles. I wonder if I'm not eating enough and running low on energy at the end of the day. Normally this is too much, but we need to get to Franklin Friday because it is supposed to storm Saturday. So tired...

Dicks Creek to Muskrat Creek

The Hiawassee Inn provides breakfast as well. But, here's the deal-the owners live in the building with the office in the front of the house. This is a real 'doors open' establishment, as we are encouraged to just walk on into the house and help ourselves to the laid out breakfast on their kitchen counters and breakfast table. This really made it feel like being guests in a home with a private room. They even have you put your laundry in a basket and do it for you, lending town clothes too! What a great place! We headed out around 9am at Dicks Creek Gap. Leaving town for me brings about a feeling of loss. While I'm eager to get going and excited about the day, another day with a warm soft bed is a longing that doesn't go away so easily. A bit before 2PM I crossed into North Carolina from Georgia and have officially conquered my first state! WOOT! The group was all resting at the gap and I joined in lazing about and shared a Hershey's bar I'd brought for the occasion with everyone. Larry (who is refusing my trailname of 'Porkchop') took my picture at the border on his cell phone. I need to remember to get that from him. I tried to take a video, but messed it up a few times and then just felt silly trying to do it over and over. I had met Hiker Bug earlier in the day who was out section hiking from Jersey. At 4:30, I reached Muskrat Creek shelter and hung my first bear bag! It wasn't smooth, but I got the job done! Oh, I keep hearing woodpeckers, but every time I stop walking and listen, I can't even figure out exactly what tree they are on, let alone try to get a picture. Today was the first day with no blister pain and guess what, I really enjoyed the day! Even without pain, I still felt beat when I got to the shelter. It is hard work walking up and down mountains all day.

I thought I might lose Bluto and Karma today because they are ready to put in serious miles and I didn't think I was up for it, but everyone kept up and made it the 12 something miles! Karma and Bluto have been hiking their days together and I tease that Karma has stolen Bluto from me after we hiked for a long time together. I've been hiking a bit with Chef, but a bit by myself lately thinking about lots of stuff.

Tray Mountain to Dicks Creek Gap / Journals

Today was a rough/great day! It indeed was raining when I woke up - and I didn't have to pack up a wet tent - BOOYAH! I slept great though. I had my breakfast of Carnation instant breakfast and heated up some water for a package of instant grits and headed out. It was very foggy, cold and raining...this surprisingly put a bounce to my step! Leaving the shelter I missed the turn and went the wrong way for a few hundred feet, but quickly realized I missed the turn. It was too rainy to have my head up when I was walking uphill and that's how I missed the turn going northbound on the trail. This didn't really affect me at all, aside from turning around and curiously wondering how far off track I'd gone. I'm not sure if it was to keep warm or just to get there quickly, but I started singing random songs and thinking about lots of other stuff other than the actual walking I was doing. As crappy as the weather was (it was COLD, rainy, foggy and wind wiping these elements around me and the mountains). I needed water at one point and went off the AT to a campsite where there was a 'scenic outlook'. Yeah, right! It was difficult to see 15 feet in front of me, but I went looking for water, which I didn't find. I did find the scenic outlook however and it was incredible. I couldn't see more than a few feet off the cliff, but the fog wiping around was spectacular. I didn't risk getting close, it looked like it might pull me clear off the rock shelf, but it was neat to watch for a bit.

It was 7.5 miles to the next shelter and I got there a bit before 1PM. It was still horrible weather and the thought of sitting in that shelter for hours wasn't appealing. It was another 3.5 miles to Dick's Creek Gap where I could hitch a ride into town and have a hot bath and warm bed; I pushed on. My previous method worked again, and I got there around 3:30PM and hitchhiked for the first time in my life. It was easy! The locals are used to hikers needing rides from the gap, so the fourth car to go by me stopped and I checked out the driver before getting in. I'm embarrassed to say, I forget his name now...but he and his wife had retired here after living in Michigan! We passed his house and he brought me into Hiawassee. I offered him some money for gas but he wouldn't take it, and gave me Hardee's coupons instead. It is incredible the way people are out on the trail. I know there can be people that aren't this way, but everyone is so nice, caring, and willing to help in whatever way they can. He told me how he picks up hikers all the time when he sees them; that's just the way it is here!
I'm rooming with Old Soul and Charlie Dog tonight (who I met briefly the other night). Actually I didn't even remember meeting him until I went looking for my bunkmate. Old Soul had told the Hiawasee Inn guys that while he had a two bed room, he was open to roomies so if anyone came by needing a room to direct them to him. So when I got in, he offered and I said sure...now where I can find this Old Soul guy! I can see your reaction at home - OMG!!! It's okay...it's a different way out here man! Not only that, but I'm not really the kind of girl to go along with something that doesn't feel right.

I just wanted to say that everyone's comments really mean a lot to me and thank you so much for your encouragement. I really look forward to checking in on town days (nearly as much as showering)!

I'm taking another zero day tomorrow to get some R&R, do laundry, eat at Daniels AYCE, update the journal (I jot down thoughts and events at the end of the day on my paper journal, and then try to recount the story when I'm in town and have the time, although it is usually 30 minute increments), and resupply. I've also learned to always check the hiker box at hostels before going to the store for anything you might need (people leave all kinds of things in there)!

I haven't had any deep or profound nature induced thoughts yet - I'm sure those will come later, I'm still adjusting to the very very physical nature of the task. I'm having more moments of enjoyment than those of pain now though, and that is definitely a move in the right direction!

For those interesting in reading the perspective of my traveling companions, here are the links to some of their journals:

Charlie "The Chef"
Bluto
Ihavegon
Queen Becky


Obviously, I haven't read them...but I sure will when I'm done!

The whole gang has met up here in Hiawasee, spread out between several hotels. I wanted to stay at the Blueberry Patch but had heard that it was booked. That's too bad!

Blue to Tray Mountain

This morning I watched the sun rise at Blue Mountain Shelter. It was really windy and cold this morning, but very pretty. We had talked about the sunrise having potential to be really nice last night, so I told Bluto to wake me. Although he came over to wake me, I was already up, not having slept very well. When we got to the shelter yesterday, we met a weekend hiker that was here with his dog and offered to bring any trash we had out with him. Another half dressed endurance hiker came blasting through and pushed on around 5pm. We had our things hung all around to try to dry things out. I was afraid that my any of the three pieces of my tent might become unattached a blow away. I made jokes that it would be the fastest anyone would see me in the mountains.

Happy Easter! I had lunch on top of Rocky Mountain. I tried a Cliff energy shot (apple pie flavor) and it tasted absolutely terrible, but I have to admit I busted it up Rocky Mountain (1,000 feet elevation over a little over a mile). It may have all been in my head, but at least that tactic worked then! I was able to borrow Bluto's cell phone on top of Tray Mountain for a minute and called Mom's house to say Happy Easter to everyone. It was great to hear everyone's voice. I wish I could have talked longer to everyone or made more calls, but I only got one phone call, as the saying goes!

Karma, Moonlight, Recon, Queen Becky and Bluto all pushed on further today, but I had that promise to keep to my feet and I stayed at Tray Mountain, knowing it was supposed to start raining in the early morning, I am setting up my bed in a shelter for the first time. I am taking my last of the three Ambien I brought along with me and hopefully will get a good nights sleep. I've been having trouble in the regard, either initially falling asleep or staying asleep all night. I wake a lot tossing and turning, not being comfortable or my muscles jerking, hands and arms asleep, etc. In the shelter with me is AT73 and Windmill (both from southern Illinois), Tim the Turtle (near Bland, Virginia), and Toubob (Ohio). AT73 has thru hiked before a few times actually and has brought along his friend Windmill this time. AT73, or Lauren is a wealth of knowledge and remembers most of the route by memory and warns about the next big hill, or whatever maybe in store. He strikes me as the classic stoic wise man. Windmill is hilarious, charismatic and great to talk to also. These two guys are incredible. They are in amazing shape and put the likes of me and my fitness to shame! Tim the Turtle has section hiked most of the trail and also has that sincere kindness that radiates from most people I've met so far.

Blood Mountain

Yesterday morning I went to the outfitter at Neels Gap and $500 and 2 hours later I headed into the rain with new Leki poles, new Keen shoes, Superfeet insoles, a new pair of Trekker socks (that have built in liners and supposedly reduce blisters), rain pants, zip off pants, and a wee tube of toothpaste. I sent home my old boots, inserts, pants and random other things that I gave up in the pack shakedown they do to help reduce packweight.

These shoes are much better so far, but I had to bargain with my feet to do an 11 mile day yesterday and I would do a few easier 7.5 mile days in return. They grudgingly complied! Bluto and I found our first "trail magic" today - Yippee! HOI, Bluto and I paused in the rain to drink soda and eat some snacks. I had an orange soda and twinkie....when was the last time I've had either of those! OMG they were wonderful (Thank you Sprite and Freckles)! I also slipped when one of my poles collapsed on me and sort of was like a turtle for a minute with my heavy pack not helping my unbalanced situation. I'll also report that I was laughing at myself when this happened and Bluto was in front of me and got a picture of this...which I'll post up soon enough!

It was raining all day and when I got to the shelter, I didn't want to set up my tent. I was cold so I took off my wet rain gear and under layer and put on dry clothes behind the shelter. I made dinner and in the process had a light rain mist spraying the back of me. I was going to sleep under the shelter with Chef, and right when I was about to get set up a leak sprung down the middle that we had to redirect with hiking poles so Chef's bedding (which was already laid out) didn't get wet. I decided to wait for a break or slow in the rain and put my tent up rather than risk a flood in the middle of the night. The shelter was already full, needless to say. I put my rain suit back on to put the tent up (which was still a bit wet inside) and proceeded to get the dry clothes I had on more wet! So, I learned some lessons today! Only change into dry clothes when you are actually ready to be dry and bunker down, lest you re-wet yourself!

I should have taken a lesson from Bluto. We hiked all day together today in the rain, so we experienced pretty much the exact same stuff. It was a pretty good day while we were walking and I didn't mind the rain much actually. However, even when it didn't stop and we had to set up in the rain, Bluto just stepped out into it and started whistling while he set up his tarp and hammock. This made me more upset with myself for being down about the weather. Like what, did you think it wasn't going to rain?!

Then today, it was foggy pretty much all day, but no rain. I honestly don't mind the rain or fog. I think it adds a certain ambiance to the forest that I like. When I'm in the Smokeys and it does that for days on end we'll see how I feel then, but for now I'm not complaining. I've taken to being interested in moss and mushrooms. You will see a lot of that in the next set of pictures. If anyone knows what the actual name of the different kinds (or flowers too), post comments and let me know.

I still need to learn how to walk! :) I kick a lot of dirt/debris up and trip on roots and rocks all the time. I have to stop and look around to take in the surroundings, otherwise I pretty much look directly in front of me at the ground while walking make sure I don't trip and fall down the mountain!

I'm getting the hang of other things; the routine of camp chores, packing and unpacking, cooking and cleaning up are all becoming a little less awkward and I'm starting to actually feel at home - like, I can see myself doing this for the next couple of months! I also feel my legs becoming stronger, like they are actually working on propelling me up he mountain instead of burning and feeling like jelly! I also don't have to stop as often on the ups as I did on the first day...the body is starting to cooperate! Downs are still a bit hard on the knees, but the poles help and I go pretty slow to take of the impact and also to not slip and die.

Karma and I are splitting a book he found at Neels Gap, I Hope they Serve Beer in Hell, but he is a fast reader so I think I'm gonna end up carrying more sooner. It is pretty horrible book with inappropriate dirty humor that is not only degrading, but immature and nasty. It sort of the perfect thing for me right now at the end of the day. I'm supposed to give my read pages to Bluto for him to read next.

Woody to Neels Gap

Had breakfast at the hostel before leaving, and ohmygosh do they do it up! Pancakes, eggs, grits, oatmeal and drinks around. Most of us decided to "slack pack" today to Neels Gap. Chef decided to get back to it today also. So, we rented the day packs from Hiker Hostel and packed the days food/water and rain gear. Josh dropped us off at Woody Gap and brought all our full packs to the outfitter at Neels Gap. It was so great to hike without the full pack weight! At first, we were all hiking together in the beginning of the day, and we were able to get some great group photos. As the day progressed, we started separating. Queen Becky and I kept close to each other though through the day. And my feet were happy most of the time! The last couple of miles were hard and I developed new friction blisters on the bottom of my feet from the hard down after Blood Mountain. I have to say though, that was the toughest part of the day, for sure. The ascent was great and the view up there was spectacular. I took a million pictures before heading down. Queen Becky and I gave a good yell of triumph while we were up there. The weather was great and the views on top were beautiful. It is a treat when there is a view right now, as the weather is so flippant. Slack packing is the way to go when you can! My feel really hurt by the time I was hobbling down into Neels Gap. Bluto saved me a bunk thankfully because they were booked. We ran into a few people that we thought we lost from taking a zero day, so it seems the group is back together. I also met Birdie and Bubbles, a married couple that have grossly heavy packs. I liked them right away. They are both young, quirky and super friendly. I started taking down e-mail addresses today of people I've met now that I've already lost contact with some I wish I'd gotten before separating, like Waterboy or Flying Turtle. It is true, you could intend on seeing someone the next day and then POOF! they are gone. I'm so happy to be here to get new gear tomorrow and hopefully make things a bit more comfortable. This bunkhouse is a dump and I'm really surprised for everything good I'd heard about it. It is pretty dirty, damp and smelly. BUT a bed is a bed and I was thankful for the shower. I would have rather saved the money and slept out back though for sure!

Hiker Hostel

Today was my first zero day spent at the Hiker Hostel - what excellent people; Leigh and Josh. I got the journal updated, did laundry, made a "bump box" that I mailed to myself a little along the way with some extra food and things I won't need until then.

Yesterday, Black Eyed Susan showed me everything in her pack, her clothes and everything because she has become lightweight since her attempt last year to thru hike the AT. She has a lot of down, which would make me too nervous about getting wet. Otherwise, I love her simplicity. Her pack is great (the same as Bluto's) and her lightweight options even afford her an umbrella to carry.

Charlie and Queen Becky made everyone dinner out of leftovers and scrounged up food here from the hiker box. Charlie, now Chef, got her trail name after this meal, as it was her doing and planning on the main dish. She is from Canada and has been laid up here a few days after straining an old knee injury. Windmill got some strawberries and ice cream at the store, and Bluto sprung for the beer! We all had a feast and good times. It was perfect to let the feetsies and body rest and recover; much needed time off! Quote of the evening: "I"ll make sure to check my pants to see if any more of your personal effects have meandered into them." This was said to Bluto as my pants were eating his socks in the washer!

There were a few others here that got in a bit later and I didn't talk to them much. There are so many people it is almost impossible to meet and remember them all. I also talked with several people who are staying here and beginning tomorrow morning at Springer! I might see them later down the road, but we will see!

To Woody Gap

Today was a short 5 something miles to Woody Gap. It was pretty windy and started to snow early evening after getting to Gooch Mountain Shelter. I still put the tent up because I figured having that side open to the elements in the shelter, I would be warmer in my tent and bag. I think I was right - everyone else reported snow and wind all night waking them up. Last night I met a few other new faces that had hiked directly from Springer! They are flying and I will likely never see them again. These are the superfit folk who do 15+ mile days to begin with. One girl, Sleddog (i think!) said this was her second time attempting the thru hike because last year she was doing too much and hurt herself and had to stop. It made me wonder what exactly she was doing last year that the 20 something mile day today was a more reasonable distance. Aside from them, most of the same group from the night before is here. I also met a Korean man that helped me roast my socks over the fire while he waited for his water to boil. He doesn't speak English at all. He must be a very brave man. I don't know that I could do what he is doing. Can you imagine going into a foreign country by yourself when you don't speak the language and backpacking in the woods there! I woke up with an inch of snow on and around the tent. I was super warm though and the only bad part about that is packing up the wet and dirty stuff. I have new blisters on the tips of my toes from not having any cushion on the inside after taking the insoles out - MUST...MAKE...IT...TO...NEELS...GAP! It snowed off and on today which meant there were really pretty views of the snow covered trees and clear valleys. I was even able to get past my feet pain and appreciate this. Bluto and I took amazing pictures today. I made it to Woody Gap just in time to get the shuttle to the Hiker Hostel, which turned out to be booked so I'm going to the Motel 8 and splitting a room with Queen Becky and Black Eyed Susan for the night. I and a few others are taking a zero day tomorrow and staying at the hiker hostel.
I am also going to get a set of trekking polls at the outfitter. I picked up two sticks in the woods that I'm using now, but the difference is huge already! I also need to change my water system. The pills I use now take 4 hours to work and that means I have to either carry extra water (meaning extra weight!), dehydrate and die, or risk getting sick and drinking from a stream. I am going to get something that works a little faster and still use the rest of my tablets overnight for morning washing, etc. I'm also anticipating I will be lightening my load and sending some stuff back home that I'm not using.
My snowboarding pants ideally are good for being weather resistant, but they are very heavy and hot, even with the sides open for ventilation. So, in sending those home I will need a different pair of pants to wear daily AND something for rain/snow.

Sassafras will kick your...

HOLY MOTHER! Sassafras and Justice mountains were a killer! My feet are really reeking havoc for me...it is really hard to appreciate the beauty or anything else around me when every step is excruciating. I'm having to stop often to make adjustments with my feet. Then feet aside, I know I'm out of shape, overweight and slowly making way into hiking fitness - which means VERY slow days. I'm okay with that, I would rather take it slow and not hurt myself. I would guess I'm hiking around 1.5 miles an hour. I get there, it just takes me longer. I passed a section hiker that had said that to me. She was out with her husband (who was well passed her) and we talked briefly, the first day maybe. She was offering me advice on my thru hike. She said even if it is slow going at first, that's okay. She told me about how her and her husband hike at different speeds completely, but they meet for lunch usually and then at the end of the day. Again, Bluto came as my afternoon energizer and pushed me to keep going. I finally took the insoles out of my boots which I think was causing the blisters on the sides of the heels and that brought my foot low enough in the boot to fix the back of the heel blisters too...I seriously have blisters on blisters. All day long it is constant small adjustments. I need to make it to Neels Gap to the outfitter and they have a great team there that works magic on injured feet. It's unfortunate because it really is almost all I can think about right now...stupid feet!

My only regret of the day was that while going up Sassafras mountain, I really wanted to take pictures. It was really beautiful and when I pulled my camera out to snap a few shots, the battery was dead. It was pretty cold today so that might have been it, or it was dead. But either way, I hadn't pulled a spare battery out and putting my pack down and rifling through my clothing bag (thats were I put the spare batteries to protect them) wasn't worth it. I knew that in hind sight I will have wished I'd done it. Oh well, there will be more mountains! It turned out that yeah, the battery was just cold and after a bit of it being in an inside pocket it warmed up and was fine.

Springer Mountain

I'm at Stover Creek shelter having lunch with Bluto, another thru hiker who stayed at Black Gap last night like I almost did, but I pushed on to Springer. As you can see, I was so tired last night I couldn't even cook dinner, let alone write anything. I was so tired! Yesterday was hard - VERY hard! The approach trail should be called, "Are you sure you wanna hike mountains with 35 lbs. on your back? Cuz your gonna get a whole lotta THIS!"

I'll be honest - I wanted to quit halfway through the day when I developed blisters and had to change into my crocs to hike the rest of the way. My boots aren't broken in as well as they should be and my feet are totally paying for it. It is hard to enjoy it when every step is painful. The stairs up the water fall (600 something of them) were ridiculous! I had to stop like every 2 flights and rest. It was beautiful right where the platform takes you across the waterfall. I wanted to stop before Springer but there were a ton of boyscouts at the previous shelter and I thought about how Bilco might worry if I never showed up. I did stop to water up and rest though. I chatted shortly with a very tatooed guy whose name I forget. He is thru hiking also and had a thickly muscled body. He told me he is an avid hiker and planning on going past Springer today. With about a mile left to summit Springer I thought I might die. I was there, contemplating throwing myself off the side of the mountain rather than climb the rest (actually with about 55 lbs after switching shoes and full water) when Bilco came by and saved the day! THANK YOU BILCO! He came and carried my pack for me the rest of the way as I hobbled on. What an amazing guy - who does that?! I registered with Minisleeps, and I'm the 655th thru-hiker this season. It was all I could do to eat something, hang my food bag, put my tent up and get into bed; I was so beat!

I got a late start this morning (second day) and thought I'd just hike the 2 miles to the next shelter. The first day was a lot harder than I expected and I didn't want to push too hard and hurt myself early on. I figured I'd see how I felt when I got there. I met Brian along the way and we chatted for a bit. He is from Florida and attempted a thru hike a few times before. He is trying again, although isn't sure he is going to make it because of some things that happened right before starting. He works for an outdoor adventure company and has done some mountaineering. We discuss the benefits of trekking poles after I embarrass myself and fall after tripping over a root, or maybe my own feet (I'm not sure)! We separated when I stopped at the next shelter. My feet were kind of burning at this point and I was looking forward to the break. I changed into my Crocs and checked the place out. I took a picture of a stump that was growing crazy green fungus along the sides and top. Little black biting flies attacked me anytime I stopped moving or walked slowly. I tried to hid from them in the loft of the shelter. I met Bluto, who had slept with the boy scouts the night before and he was stopping for some lunch. We chatted a bit and hit it off pretty well. Moonlight and Recom (along with the nephew who was out for the day) stopped here too. Recom was having some blister issues as well and was employing the duct tape method. After resting my feet a bit, Bluto convinced me to push on. I'm so glad I did; it was a gorgeous day and along the way, we (Bluto and I) stopped at a waterfall and soaked our feet and sort of rinsed off. So refreshing - just what I needed! It was great to talk with someone too for a good part of the day. Bluto, from Texas, is hiking after being laid off. He installs swimming pools, and with the poor economy business is slowing.

The hike was much easier than yesterday, but my feet are still hurting and I changed into the crocs the last 2 miles. The shelter (Hawk Mountain) was packed but I met many great and interesting people; Queen Becky, AT72, Waterboy, Backyard Boogie, Flying Turtle, Shenanigans, Whoosh, The Dude, and many others. Queen Becky gave me my trail name, Voodoo (on account of my wearing all black, no hair, and piercings). Brian was also there, not having pushed on. I was happy to see him again, especially because he said he would go to the shelter after this one, so I thought I'd never see him again! I named Brian, now Karma, on account of the stories of mishaps and good things that occur and dictate other things around him.

Queen Becky, also from Texas does art cars and is a quirky very social lady. Shenanigans explains his name has nothing to do with Super Troopers, but instead for his tendency to give and receive practical jokes. Backyard Boogie is a veteran AT hiker and knows a ton about the area. He gives us all advice on what to expect and tells stories all night. He is a charismatic guy with southern charm I could listen to talk for hours. Some high school kids out for the weekend arrive late at night and being a little loud. This doesn't bother me, equipped with my earplugs, but it takes me forever to fall asleep. In fact, I feel like I barely slept, more like dozed in and out. I've heard that this will sometimes happen. I know I'm really tired...I can feel it. I just can't fall asleep totally.

Amicalola

It has been a long night! I couldn't really sleep on the bus, so I'm very tired (24 hour travel time)! I don't think I'll ever take the bus again if I can help it. There are some...er, interesting people that ride the bus! I can't wait to be in the woods.
6PM - Wes picked me up with his wife, Dixie and we chatted about other hikers this season that have already headed out while they brought me to Amicalola. They told me about one guy that brought along a ridiculous amount of gear and how they tried to dissuade him. He called a few days after they dropped him off ready to go home. They told me a few other stories about people being laid up with blisters, etc. Bryson mentioned that Wes can tell if someone is going to make it or not. I didn't ask, but wondered what his thoughts were on me.

I thought I might be alone here tonight at the shelter, but I'm happy to be sharing with Batch and Bilco (sp?), two section hikers that are both hiking this weekend. I have a slamming headache from either no caffeine, lack of sleep, or not smoking. My stove worked well after I knocked the fuss out of it for a bit. :) It feels like I'm camping right now. It hasn't settled in yet that this is longer than the weekend. Bilco took Batch and I around Amicalola in his car. That was nice to see the view from different areas and the lodge, which I probably wouldn't have stopped to see if I'd been on foot. It's too late to get going tonight, so I'll be out first thing in the morning. The approach trail is 8.8 miles (to Springer Mountain) - so tomorrow should be...fun?! :)

The bus

My first lesson or test in patience and flexibility - and I haven't even gotten on the bus! My bus broke down before getting to the station and I'm being re-routed, causing a chain reaction that results in my getting to Georgia at 5:10 PM instead of 9:45 AM. I need to call Wes and look at my book to replan my first day - but NOT a big deal! I'm very chatty at the bus station in Clearwater Florida so the time is passing quickly! I've had several very interesting conversations with random people. No crazies yet (accept me)!

And I'm off!

I had a hard time falling asleep last night, woke up all through the night and finally called it quits at 8 am - excited much?! lol

Okay, so here is the plan: I'm taking the bus today from Clearwater Florida (I've been visiting Grandma Toni) that will arrive in Gainesville, Georgia early morning April 3rd. Wes Wisson will be shuttling me to Amicalola Falls, less than an hour from the bus station. I don't think I will have any problems hiking the approach trail Friday and then start hiking the real trail Saturday, April 4th. I'm still okay with the dates I have posted. I'm not too worried about the few day difference at this point. What happened was I forgot to order my bus tickets two weeks in advance to get the awesome discount of advanced purchase-ness! And I decided to hike the approach trail after-all (in the grand scheme of things whats an extra few miles). I'm not complaining about a few more days of lounging in Florida and I'm only really about 4 days off schedule so far...I'll either make it up at some point or need to updates my mail drop schedule - so stay tuned on that note!

I'll be sending journal entries to Cristy (THANK YOU LOVER CHICKEN!) to update when I'm not able to get online and update them myself.

Thank you so much for the notes of support so far and phone calls; they really mean a lot to me. I'm so happy to know there are people following me along in spirit. Your encouragement will mean even more later too, I'm sure!

A quick note - I switched stoves. The coke can stove I had I felt iffy on and made the cat stove last night - and LOVE it. I found this from Certain's trail journal, which I only just found a few days ago and wish I'd started reading earlier. I highly recommend everyone read hers - I identify with her a lot. If you are just now checking out AT stuff I think reading her journal should be a must - especially if you are bored and I haven't updated yet - she already finished!

Wish me luck! Here I go...