Appalachian Trail Journey 2022 and 2023

Sunday, 19 March - Today is the final day at Fontana Villiage.  I have been on R&R for three days now and I feel good. I am ready to get back to the trail and get started tomorrow on the 78 mile portion of the trail that goes through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If all goes well, I should be at Newfound Gap by Thursday or Friday. That will allow for a resupply run to Gatlinburg at the end of the week. It will just be an in and out trip this time. My sister Laura is coming to meet me and bring some items from home. Once I am back at Newfound Gap and again headed north, it will be about four more days until I am out of the park.  I have not yet decided if I am going to stay at Standing Bear Hostel again this year. I did last year and it was an interesting experience.  Each hostel has a totally different atmosphere and personality. I suppose each hostel is influenced by its owners. Some are modern, with technology and air conditioning. Some are old, not quite...

Sunday, 12 March - Well, not much hiking today. I am zeroing at the Hampton Inn in Franklin, NC today. It is raining and cold. Like yesterday,  I am resting my foot again today. It seems better this morning and I am excited to start for The Nantahala Gorge tomorrow. The gorge is about 34 miles from Winding Stair Gap.  My plans today are to get there sometime on Wednesday and overnight in the bunk room. The trail is seven miles down into the gorge and eight miles out. I want to go out with fresh legs. It is a steep and long climb, for sure. Today would have been my Mother's birthday.  She would have been 94. She and my Dad taught their three children love the Lord and respect their fellow man. I am proud to tell people who my parents were. Whenever I would leave the house with my friends or to go to work, she would tell me to "Remember who you are". It is an admonition that I think would be well suited to be heard more today than ever. Monday,  13 March - My shuttle d...

Monday, 27 February - I awoke at 6:00 this morning. I was not nervous like last year, I was just ready to go. I did the last minute chores of cutting off the water and turning off the water heater and bagging the last of the trash.  David Scott once again volunteered to take me to Amicalola Falls State Park. He and his little dog Remy showed up at eight sharp. We loaded everything and set off for the Falls. The day had dawned overcast but warm. It was a nice day to start the second try at a through hike for me.  When we arrived at The Falls, almost immediately we saw what appeared to be another hiker sitting under the pavillion. When we asked him if he was going to try a through hike, he said "I just finished one." As it turned out, he had finished a southbound WINTER hike from Maine late Sunday and was trying to find a way to the train station in Gainesville, GA. As he was talking on his phone, Julie, Laura, Claire and Rory pulled up as well. David's little Dog ran out t...