Update

May 11

Total Miles - 156

NC/GA  Border 

Everything seems to be clicking. I haven't taken and Advil in the last few days.  The first week i couldn't stay still for more than a few minutes without my whole body cramping from the top of my head to my toes once i started moving again.  I can actually get out of my sleeping bag without cringing.  Anyways, things are looking up. I'm starting to notice more things around me as opposed to focusing my energy on putting one foot in front of the other.  Yep, things are starting to get easier. 

I spend most of my days hiking solo through the mountains.  I actually prefer to do it this way, because i then don't have to keep up, or slow down, for anybody.  I also get to contemplate and soak in the day.  I usually meet up with fellow hikers at the next shelter.  This is where most of the socializing takes place.  Mostly talk of the miles put in for the day.  The most memorable to date being the hike to the fire tower atop Albert Mountain.  Un-friggin real.   

I've met a number of really interesting fellow travelers at the towns and shelters along the way.  There are the two brothers from Pennsylvania who decided to hike the AT when laid off do to the economic downturn. On the opposite end of the spectrum are hikers who seem to think hiking the AT is an endeavor devoid of risk and effort.  For instance, there was a hiker who started, and since left, the trail woefully under equipped.  With temperatures at higher elevations of northern GA and NC reaching the 30's it is very easy to experience hypothermia. One thing you don't want to do when the temperature drops is to be wearing cotton when hiking.  A person cools and sometimes without even noticing starts to experience hypothermia.  This hiker not only wore only cotton, but didn't even have the clothing to comfortably and safely hike in higher elevations.  He also only had an open hammock to sleep in.  That is a disaster in the making should he have been caught in a storm on top of a mountain. Needless to say his trip is done.   

Two of my most favorite people i've had the fortunate pleasure to have met is O.C. and Gahndi.  Having  initially met O.C. and Gahndi (trail names)  at the Len's Foote Hike Inn on the night of the killer storm that swept through northern Alabama.  We would run into each other every couple of days and set up camp together or hike a few miles together, but during that time we would have a few laughs and engaging conversations.  O.C. has left the trail and Gahndi has continued on with the goal of finishing up at the top of Katahdin before heading to Peru.  

Here a few more pictures from the trail:

Drop box sent to resupply my food along the trail. This one was picked up in Hiawassee.

Might as well have been the Ritz Carlton as far as i was concerned. Heaven!!

Hiawassee

BBQ right next door!   

My backpack

5 days worth of food

Here is dinner one night

Chicken and Dumplings for dinner. That white thing is my stove

If anyone is curious as to what i sleep in here's my tent:

Step 1: Footprint. You put this down to protect your tent and helps with condensation.

Step 2: The tent. I use the Big Agnes Copper Light UL2. I  looked at a  few and  i love this !

Step 3: Poles

Step 4: Clip the tent to the poles

Step 5:  Add the rain fly

Home Sweet Home

   

My Kitchen

One of the easier strolls

Yes, this is the trail

Water Refill

Doing Laundry

Days 2-4

Total Miles - 65

     Hiked into Hiawassee, Ga. 2 days ago.  Stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and did laundry as well as recuperated a little.  Man i'm getting old.  Right next door is a BBQ place.  When they set that plate of Texas brisket, baby back ribs, sliced pork, Texas toast, fried okra, and a pint of Yuengling on the table i just about cried. Seriously.  I think they knew i was just off the trail, maybe the smell gave me away. Anyways, they loaded me up.  Talk about southern hospitality.  Oh, i had coconut cream pie for desert.  That had to have been one of the most satisfying meals i've ever had.  I'm taking a shuttle back to the trail tomorrow. It might be awhile before i post anymore updates.  The hiking is getting a little easier due to the topography. Northern Georgia is killing me.  The last 10 miles of the trail is starting change into a more open and gradual hike.  Hope it stays like this for awhile. Here are a few pictures i took along the way.

Hiking in the early morning mist was very beautiful

The AT white blaze marker on the tree

Flowers everywhere

This picture doesn't convey the real beauty of all the flowers everywhere

An  easier, and most welcome, level hiking path

aahh!

Another easy stroll

                                                                                      Magnolia  blossom?

This is what very tired and sore feet look like.

Water fountain. Had to stop and refill my water bottles

                                                                                    Just thought it was pretty

A more rugged part of the trail 

                                                Doesn't look like it, but this trail was straight up

                                              The trail took me down the side of a huge boulder
                                                               
                                                   
           
                                                                    Another leisurely stroll up a mountain

                                                                                    Yes, this is the trail

.......and on, and on, and on