Haven't posted anything in quite some time, but see I'm still getting quite a few views. Thought I would write up my last journal entry. This was the day before I got on the bus to come home.
6-17-15. Day 57
In Troutville, Va staying at the town park. Did 16.9 trail miles, and a lot of road miles also. Saw a bear again today. He was running down the hill right towards me, thought it would make a cool video till I realized I had better change his direction. Held my trekking poles in the air and clacked them together, which made him veer away. Had the adrenaline going for a bit! Had the shelter last night almost all to myself until Mr. possum decided to visit. Chased him out and he didn't come back. ( that I know of ) Back to Daleville tomorrow and then onto Roanoke to catch a bus home. Did laundry and got a shower here at the fire station today. Troutville is an extremely hiker friendly town. Was pouring earlier when I was highway hiking and a gentleman told me to come get on his porch till it let up.
Well that was the last journal entry I made. I was having the post trail blues. Never wanted to leave the trail until Katahdin, but finaces dictated otherwise.
Heard from my buddy Jerry, that I hiked part of the trail with that he summited on ( I believe it was) Oct.3. Way to go Jerry!
Haven't given up hope of another attempt in 2016. Have to see if I can come up with the funds. Gonna plan for it just in case.
So long for now and I'll keep you updated. Thanks for reading!
Friday, December 18, 2015
Friday, June 5, 2015
quick update
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| At the 1/4 mark on the trail |
Been rained on a lot. Chased down the trail by a skunk. Saw another bear. Again most pics are on the camera, which I need access to a computer to upload.
Think I have enough funds to make the halfway mark. Physically feeling good. Financially not so good. Go as far as I can. A lot more people on the trail than I would ever have expected. Have been some great views and have met some great people. Others on both accounts...not so great.
Lucky to get this posted as WiFi keeps coming and going.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
day 16 to 22
5-7-15. Day 16
At Russell field shelter. Did 13.9 miles today. Saw momma bear and 2 cubs. They were all hanging out way up in a tree. Hiked with Jerry and Kathy today. Crossed Fontana Dam. Was a good day, feel pretty good. Little sore, but no major aches. Should have it down under 2000 miles tomorrow. Figuring 5 days thru the Smoky's. See how I do. Went slow and easy today, think that's why I dont ache as bad. Was also nice having some company while hiking. First time I've had that.
5-8-15
At silers bald shelter, did 15 miles today. Followed a deer up the trail, hope video comes out. Down to 1994.4 miles to go! Walked in the rain. Got soaked, it felt good.
5-9-15. Day 18
At icewater shelter. Did 15.5 miles today. Clingmans domb today. Hiking in the rain again. 3rd night in the Smokey's.
5-10-15. Day 19
At tri-corner knob shelter. Did 12.6 miles. Had a full shelter last night. Probably the same tonight. A deer came into the area by the shelter last night. Wasn't afraid at all. Took some pics from Charles bunion. Will spend one more night in the Smokey's. 0.9 from the end of the Smoky's.
5-11-15. Day 20
At Davenport gap shelter, did 14.8 miles today. Fairly easy day.
5-12-15. Day 21
At roaring fork shelter. Did 18.7 miles today. Feel pretty good for the miles. A little sore on the feet, but not bad. Probably get worse after I sit awhile. Out of the Smoky's, and in either NC or Tennessee. Kept changing during the day. Seemed to ba a reptile day...turtles,frogs,snakes.
5-13-15 day 22
At Hot Springs, NC. Did an 18 mile day. Rented a room for 2 nights at the alpine court motel, with Jerry. Taking a zero tomorrow.
I'll post pics when I can.
At Russell field shelter. Did 13.9 miles today. Saw momma bear and 2 cubs. They were all hanging out way up in a tree. Hiked with Jerry and Kathy today. Crossed Fontana Dam. Was a good day, feel pretty good. Little sore, but no major aches. Should have it down under 2000 miles tomorrow. Figuring 5 days thru the Smoky's. See how I do. Went slow and easy today, think that's why I dont ache as bad. Was also nice having some company while hiking. First time I've had that.
5-8-15
At silers bald shelter, did 15 miles today. Followed a deer up the trail, hope video comes out. Down to 1994.4 miles to go! Walked in the rain. Got soaked, it felt good.
5-9-15. Day 18
At icewater shelter. Did 15.5 miles today. Clingmans domb today. Hiking in the rain again. 3rd night in the Smokey's.
5-10-15. Day 19
At tri-corner knob shelter. Did 12.6 miles. Had a full shelter last night. Probably the same tonight. A deer came into the area by the shelter last night. Wasn't afraid at all. Took some pics from Charles bunion. Will spend one more night in the Smokey's. 0.9 from the end of the Smoky's.
5-11-15. Day 20
At Davenport gap shelter, did 14.8 miles today. Fairly easy day.
5-12-15. Day 21
At roaring fork shelter. Did 18.7 miles today. Feel pretty good for the miles. A little sore on the feet, but not bad. Probably get worse after I sit awhile. Out of the Smoky's, and in either NC or Tennessee. Kept changing during the day. Seemed to ba a reptile day...turtles,frogs,snakes.
5-13-15 day 22
At Hot Springs, NC. Did an 18 mile day. Rented a room for 2 nights at the alpine court motel, with Jerry. Taking a zero tomorrow.
I'll post pics when I can.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
day 11 to 15
Sorry no pics this time. They're on the camera and no way to get them off without a computer.
5-2-15. Day 11
15.8 miles, camped by cold springs shelter. Seemed like it was uphill all day long. I'm worn out. Can tell I'll be in bed by 8:00 pm. Think the trekking poles are working out. Now I have sore knees and sore elbows, but knees aren't as sore. Pretty sure I'll be sore somewhere all the way to Katahdin. Well bear bag is hung so about time for bed. Had cheese and jerky in a tortilla for dinner and it tasted pretty darn good.(not as good as homecooked though)
5-3-15 day 12
At A.Rufus Morgan Shelter. Only made it 10.7 miles today. Sat down at the shelter for a break and the body said it had had enough. Steep downhill most of the day. 7.7 miles to the next camp area with water and noooo way I could make that. Took me 7 hrs. today just to do the 10.7 miles, which I normally do in 4 1/2 hrs. Even though a beautiful day, I still had a rough time mentally today. Jaw was swollen this morning (stupid tooth) feet ached, knees ached...think that had something to do with my mental attitude. 0.8 miles from the NOC think I'll see about getting some Dr. Scholls inserts. Still not sure if I like the trekking poles or not. Sometimes I think I'm stressing to much over the mileage and forgetting to enjoy myself. Need to change that. So much for getting Dr scholls inserts tomorrow, store doesn't open till 10:00 am, I'll be long gone by then. Tiny little crickets everywhere on the trail today, which made all the leaves seem to dance. No place to do a bear hang here so I'll just hang it in the shelter to keep the meeces out.
5-4-15 day 13
At locust cove gap, camping out. Did 11.3 miles today. It was a lot of uphill climbing today, so am happy with the day. Better mental attitude today. Yeager and his buddy showed up at the shelter last night, and then Anne.and Poseidon showed up at about 9:30 pm. So it was good to have some company with people I knew. Only 2041.6 miles to go! The climb today went from 1723' to 5062'. Hanging out with snow and geeps tonight. Think I'm starting to get used to the trekking poles. Beginning to like them. Finger was swollen this morning and had to lance it. No idea what I did to it. Going to have to lance it again in the morning. Black and blue and full of puss.
5-5-15 day 14
Did 14.8 miles today. Camped at campsite (that's all It's called). Thought about going on into Fontana (another 3 1/2 miles) but think I would have got there in the dark. I need to do laundry and get a shower, so think I'll do a nero in Fontana and start the smokies thurs. Have some hotspots on my feet I need to tend to. It was a hot and sweaty day.
5-6-15. Day 15
Guess I'll consider today a 3.5 mile day. Came into Fontana village to do laundry. Then walked to the shelter and then came back to Fontana village and rented a room. Didn't care for the shelter and no place I could find to camp. Did have a huge burger and fries. Felt full for about an hour. Ahhh life on the trail...always hungry! Off to the Great Smoky Mts. National Park tomorrow.
5-2-15. Day 11
15.8 miles, camped by cold springs shelter. Seemed like it was uphill all day long. I'm worn out. Can tell I'll be in bed by 8:00 pm. Think the trekking poles are working out. Now I have sore knees and sore elbows, but knees aren't as sore. Pretty sure I'll be sore somewhere all the way to Katahdin. Well bear bag is hung so about time for bed. Had cheese and jerky in a tortilla for dinner and it tasted pretty darn good.(not as good as homecooked though)
5-3-15 day 12
At A.Rufus Morgan Shelter. Only made it 10.7 miles today. Sat down at the shelter for a break and the body said it had had enough. Steep downhill most of the day. 7.7 miles to the next camp area with water and noooo way I could make that. Took me 7 hrs. today just to do the 10.7 miles, which I normally do in 4 1/2 hrs. Even though a beautiful day, I still had a rough time mentally today. Jaw was swollen this morning (stupid tooth) feet ached, knees ached...think that had something to do with my mental attitude. 0.8 miles from the NOC think I'll see about getting some Dr. Scholls inserts. Still not sure if I like the trekking poles or not. Sometimes I think I'm stressing to much over the mileage and forgetting to enjoy myself. Need to change that. So much for getting Dr scholls inserts tomorrow, store doesn't open till 10:00 am, I'll be long gone by then. Tiny little crickets everywhere on the trail today, which made all the leaves seem to dance. No place to do a bear hang here so I'll just hang it in the shelter to keep the meeces out.
5-4-15 day 13
At locust cove gap, camping out. Did 11.3 miles today. It was a lot of uphill climbing today, so am happy with the day. Better mental attitude today. Yeager and his buddy showed up at the shelter last night, and then Anne.and Poseidon showed up at about 9:30 pm. So it was good to have some company with people I knew. Only 2041.6 miles to go! The climb today went from 1723' to 5062'. Hanging out with snow and geeps tonight. Think I'm starting to get used to the trekking poles. Beginning to like them. Finger was swollen this morning and had to lance it. No idea what I did to it. Going to have to lance it again in the morning. Black and blue and full of puss.
5-5-15 day 14
Did 14.8 miles today. Camped at campsite (that's all It's called). Thought about going on into Fontana (another 3 1/2 miles) but think I would have got there in the dark. I need to do laundry and get a shower, so think I'll do a nero in Fontana and start the smokies thurs. Have some hotspots on my feet I need to tend to. It was a hot and sweaty day.
5-6-15. Day 15
Guess I'll consider today a 3.5 mile day. Came into Fontana village to do laundry. Then walked to the shelter and then came back to Fontana village and rented a room. Didn't care for the shelter and no place I could find to camp. Did have a huge burger and fries. Felt full for about an hour. Ahhh life on the trail...always hungry! Off to the Great Smoky Mts. National Park tomorrow.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Journal entries
The adventure begins.
8:00 pm
Set up camp at Justus creek which is 14.3 miles from springer, so actually did 15.2 miles with .9 headed south to springer to hit the beginning of the trail. (had to go .9 miles to the top of springer mt. and then turn around and retrace my steps). Little worn out. A couple of good uphill grades, but feel good, ready to hit it tomorrow. Ye ha...finally here and doing it!
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| The trail |
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| Proof I was there. |
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| My camp at Justus creek
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4-23-15, day 2
Set up camp at lance creek. So was only a 10 mile day. Knee started acting up so had to take it easy. Ran into some trail magic today and got a bag of mini candy bars. Another sunny day. Poured last night and a lot of thunder and lightning. Hopefully knee feels better tomorrow, also have a blister to take care of. Got a couple of shots of bourbon from the camp next to me, helped the knee (medicinal).
4-24-15, day3
Camping at Baggs Creek Gap. Did 11.6 miles. Knee still sore. Another sunny day. Bloody Mt. was a bloody bitch, descend thru rocks and climbing over boulders, sometimes didn't even seem like the trail. Missed out on some trail magic at Neel Gap. Free burgers for thru hikers,
didn't find out till about a half mile up the trail, wasn't turning back. Rats!!
4-25-15, day 4
7.3 miles today. Knees were bothering me. Thought I'd take a short day. Staying at Low gap shelter. Raining this morning and extremely foggy.
4-26-15, day 5
15.4 mile day, at Tray mt. shelter. Sunny day and perfect hiking temp., not to hot and not to cold.
4-27-15, day 6
16.3 miles today, at plumorchard shelter. A little trail magic earlier today. Got a sam adams. This is my last night in Georgia. Have 4.4 miles and hit NC. Another beautiful day for hiking. Shelter is a three story and holds 14. Had it all to myself. My own little castle. Hahaha!
4-28-15, day 7
Only 12.2 miles today. At standing Indian shelter. In NC now. Another nice day for hiking.
4-29-15, day 8
At long branch shelter. 16.2 miles. A little trail
magic today, met two local boys and got a beer. Felt good. Will be in Franklin tomorrow. Need to resupply. Trail up to Albert Peak was straight up and had to climb over boulders. Look off to the right and it was straight down for a long long ways. Glad it was only 0.3 miles! View from the top was awesome even though it was a bit overcast. Could have made another 3.5 miles to the next shelter but wanted to hang with the group I'd been with for 3 days.
4-30-15, day 9
7.3 miles. In Franklin to resupply and visit with Mom and Dad. A zero day tomorrow. Will hit the trail again Sat. morning. Need to figure out next supply point. Should take 4 days to hit the Great Smokey Mt. National Park and 5 days thru it. Guess I'll supply for 10 days. Want to walk straight thru Great Smokey Mt. National Park. Supposed to be busy park. To many people! Guess I'll find out when I get there. Anne was only other one in the group that needed to resupply in Franklin, so Mom and Dad dropped her off at a Hostel. Hopefully will catch up with the rest down the trail somewhere. Homemade lasagna for dinner and a hot shower...ahhh...what luxuries!
5-1-15, day 10
zero day today. Went and got resupplied this morning. Pack is at 38 lbs. now. A little heavier than I would like, but should be good for at least 10 days. Got a pair of trekking poles to try. Hopefully helps with my knees, especially on the down hill. Had ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner. YUM. Nice to visit with Mom and Dad and have a day off the trail. Clean laundry, clean body, full belly. Thanks mom and dad!!! Back on the trail tomorrow. Will update next chance I get.
4-24-15, day3
Camping at Baggs Creek Gap. Did 11.6 miles. Knee still sore. Another sunny day. Bloody Mt. was a bloody bitch, descend thru rocks and climbing over boulders, sometimes didn't even seem like the trail. Missed out on some trail magic at Neel Gap. Free burgers for thru hikers,
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| descent down blood mt. |
4-25-15, day 4
7.3 miles today. Knees were bothering me. Thought I'd take a short day. Staying at Low gap shelter. Raining this morning and extremely foggy.
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| Low Gap Shelter |
4-26-15, day 5
15.4 mile day, at Tray mt. shelter. Sunny day and perfect hiking temp., not to hot and not to cold.
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| little stream where I got water |
4-27-15, day 6
16.3 miles today, at plumorchard shelter. A little trail magic earlier today. Got a sam adams. This is my last night in Georgia. Have 4.4 miles and hit NC. Another beautiful day for hiking. Shelter is a three story and holds 14. Had it all to myself. My own little castle. Hahaha!
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| plumorchard shelter |
4-28-15, day 7
Only 12.2 miles today. At standing Indian shelter. In NC now. Another nice day for hiking.
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| crossing into NC |
4-29-15, day 8
At long branch shelter. 16.2 miles. A little trail
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| the start of the trail up Albert Peak |
4-30-15, day 9
7.3 miles. In Franklin to resupply and visit with Mom and Dad. A zero day tomorrow. Will hit the trail again Sat. morning. Need to figure out next supply point. Should take 4 days to hit the Great Smokey Mt. National Park and 5 days thru it. Guess I'll supply for 10 days. Want to walk straight thru Great Smokey Mt. National Park. Supposed to be busy park. To many people! Guess I'll find out when I get there. Anne was only other one in the group that needed to resupply in Franklin, so Mom and Dad dropped her off at a Hostel. Hopefully will catch up with the rest down the trail somewhere. Homemade lasagna for dinner and a hot shower...ahhh...what luxuries!
5-1-15, day 10
zero day today. Went and got resupplied this morning. Pack is at 38 lbs. now. A little heavier than I would like, but should be good for at least 10 days. Got a pair of trekking poles to try. Hopefully helps with my knees, especially on the down hill. Had ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner. YUM. Nice to visit with Mom and Dad and have a day off the trail. Clean laundry, clean body, full belly. Thanks mom and dad!!! Back on the trail tomorrow. Will update next chance I get.
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| New trekking poles |
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Ready to go....again
The gear is ready to go again and tomorrow, April 22 I will finally get on the trail. I've packed and repacked and think I have things the way I want them now. Still probably be changing things as I go and discover what I'm needing more often. Greyhound never did find my other pack and are supposed to be sending a claim form to be filled out. Folks will be helping me out on that since I will be on the trail.
Thanks to Team Greene for getting me out on the trail, wouldn't have happened without all of you helping out.
Thanks to Team Greene for getting me out on the trail, wouldn't have happened without all of you helping out.
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| The door into the new tent. |
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| View of the tent from the back. |
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| Me and the pack. |
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| A side view of me and the pack with it fully loaded and ready to go. The pack is weighing in right about at 33lbs., with enough food for app. 7 days. Not sure when I will get another chance to post, but I will when I can, so keep checking in to find out what's been happening and where I've been. |
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Reequipped
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| The new pack loaded and ready to hit the trail! |
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| It seems to be trying to embrace me! |
Won't be long now and I will actually be hitting the trail. Either tues. or wed. will be the start date. Happy trails!
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