Entering Another State

After 8 days of being covered in filth and sleeping on the ground, Chef and I were both ready for a small break. We stayed at Top of Georgia Hostel where we both got a bunk/bed and I was able to wash myself and my clothes. Eating some non-trail food was a treat as well! 

Chef enjoyed the doggy bed that the hostel supplied!

A good night's rest helped us to get back on our feet and walking the trail the next morning. We made it into North Carolina that night. What a satisfying, but small, accomplishment that was! 1 down and 13 to go!!

This crazy tree is a known photographed spot for NC. 

Two weeks on the trail is tough on a body. It seems like you can spot a hiker just by the way he/she hobbles or struggles to get up from sitting. Even Chef has the hiker limp. Smirks are shared as hikers watch each other share the same struggle and pain. 

It's the small things that help boost morale. Taking a dip or soaking sore feet in a stream, views, and interactions with wildlife all help keep us going. 

Chef and I just finished taking a zero day (a day where you don't hike any miles). Two nights in a motel in the little town of Franklin, NC was a nice change of pace and we were able to sit out a rain storm!  Now, we wait and see what God and the trail have in store for us next. 

Blood Mountain and a bit beyond

Hiking over Blood Mountain was one of my first major mountain hikes. It is also about a 6 mile stretch of trail that doesn't allow camping unless you have a bear canister, which I do not have. Soon after we started our trek, we caught up to a group who had passed us while I was packing up the tent. We joined them the rest of the way up and over the mountain. We summited before noon and made it down to the hostel/trail store by 2. 

 The view the night before blood mountain.

Made it to the top!!

Neels Gap was at the bottom of the mountain. And after you cross the road you see a store/hostel with a HUGE tree in the front. The cool thing about this tree.... 

It's filled with ditched hiking boots and shoes. I even heard there was a prosthetic leg on the wall inside. 

I was able to recharge myself and my phone at Neels Gap. After a good hour and a half Chef and I headed up the trail about a mile or so to a campsite. 

The trail has been amazing thus far. The ups and downs area little  tough on the body but the views are incredible.

And the trail magic is even better...

It's nice to come down off a mountain to a parking lot with chairs, food, and beverages and kind people who are they to just make your day! Thank you to all the trail angels! I encourage anyone reading this to participate in trail magic; every hiker coming through is so appreciative. 

Hitting the Trail

First things first, please be patient with me on updating my posts. I will post when I can, and blogging isn't the reason I came out here. That being said, I love that I am able to share my experiences and adventure with you! Some posts will be topics while others may be journal/day to day recaps. 

Starting the Trail

The ride down was long, but I appreciated the time I had with Dad. On Friday, we went to Amicalola Falls State Park visitor's center where I registered as a thru hiker and weighed our packs (Chefs was ~11Lbs and mine was nearly 45lbs with food and water!). Afterwards we drove to Springer Mountain just a mile into the AT. Dad walked with us to the starting point of the trail. There, I wrote in the trail journal. We stayed in a hotel that night so I could rest and have an early start on Saturday. 

No Turning Back

Dad dropped us off at the trail around 9 am. I said good bye and I love you and I let Chef lead (pull)  me on the trail as I had tears streaming down my face. After about a mile it seemed like just another hike. There was no turning back. I had to move forward and I prayed the whole time. 

Georgia is beautiful. Everything is blooming or budding. And there are giant old trees here. I fell to my knees as I looked up at one. I brushed myself off and continued on (no one saw me). There are plenty of people, of all ages, on the trail. Even dogs too. 

The first two nights were a bit restless, but I did find joy in the little things. Like seeing barred owls and hearing them at both shelters I stayed at. (I think they hang around for the mice) I am tired and I hurt, but I feel good. I am listening to my body and not pushing myself to the limits. I'm using this time to focus on Chef and myself and to find a good routine. 

** sorry for any grammatical or formatting errors. I'm blogging via cell phone

Gear List

This is it! Dad is driving Chef and I down to Amicalola Falls State Park, GA on Thursday. We are stopping at some point along the way and finishing our drive on Friday. I start my hike on Saturday. I am soaking in these next few days... and hot showers and home-cooked meals. There are only a few preparation details that need to taken care of, but we are packed and ready to go. We took a 3 day pack-shake down trip. Chef and I both did well and survived. Here is what our finalized gear list will be (subject to change):

Shown:

• Osprey 65L Pack
• Sleeping Pad
• My Sleeping Bag (in 8L dry sac)
• Chef's Sleeping Bag (in 6L dry sac)
• keen sandals (camp shoes)
• North Face Triarch 2 Tent
• Toilet Paper
• Trowel
• Personal Wipes (1 per day)
• Micro Towel
• Solar Power Charger with Battery Stick
• Pocket Knife
• Phone and Charging Cord
• 40-50ft Paracord
• Watch
• Luminaid Light
• Head Lamp
• Compass
• Wallet (ID, cash, C.C. Insurance)
• Glasses/Case
• Contacts/Case
• Contact Solution, rewetting drops
• Med Kit
• Germ-X
• Sunscreen Stick
• Chapstick
• Burt's Bees ointment
• Lighter
• Rain Coat
• Rain Pants
• Buff
• Bandana
• Pack Cover
• Small Bible
• 2x Underwear (one camp, one extra hiking)
• 2x Socks (one camp, one extra hiking)
• Sock Liner
• Bra
• Smartwool Leggins
• Camp Capris
• Camp Long Sleeve Shirt
• Pot
• Bowl
• Mug
• Stove
• Spoon
• Tooth Brush/Paste
• Nalgen Bottle
• 2L Camelbak
• Sawyer Filter w/ 1L bottle

Not Shown:

• Wool Jacket
• Sunglasses

Chef's Pack

• Pack Cover
• Collapsable Bowl with Carabiner Clip
• Leash
• Med Kit

I opted out on taking bear spray (it weighs nearly a pound!) and mace doesn't seem worth it. Only time and the trail will tell me what I will truly need or not need. I'm full of emotions but I'm ready to start my adventure!