Just to let you all know, I will try my hardest to keep up on the blog. Thank you to all who have left me comments and words of encouragement. It helps me tremendously!!!! I will try to get pictures up as soon as possible.. most of the computers I have been using are old and they do not take my memory chip. So much to write about, but so little time at the computer. Thank you all again, and miss you all!!!
Toothfairy
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
North Carolina
Crossed the Georgia - North Carolina border on 3-31-09 (Day 11). North Carolina has been hard from the get go. Crazy steep ups, and long, wet, slippery downs. I spent 3 nights 4-2 to 4-4-09 in Franklin, NC for the April Fools hiker bash. Ron Haven owns 2 hotels and a hostel in Franklin, and he along with the town put on this event every year for the past 3 or 4 years. He says it gets bigger every year. Good food and live music along with gear booths and a mini tent city ( where i stayed the third night) pretty much completes the picture. I went with some hikers that are from the area on the 4th to a secret spot a little off the trail. It was a nice swimming hole where you could jump off a 20+ foot cliff. What a beautiful day that was... 70 degrees, slight wind, cool water.... perfect.
Day 17 4-6-09
Snow, snow, and more snow. Snowed all day today... about 3 to 4 inches. It was also very windy and biting cold. Sat by the fire for about 2 hours and still couldn't get warm. I will be hiking into the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) tomorrow, and looking forward to a hot shower and clean cloths.
Day 18 4-7-09
What a day!!! Only hiked 6 miles today, but they were some of the hardest!!! The snow covered all the roots and rocks and made for a very slippery hike down hill. Fell down three times and twisted my knee. But I don't feel to bad because 8 out of 10 people also fell and/or hurt themselves in some way today. Watched kayaker's paddle the river in the snow. Thought to myself that they might be a bit crazy, then I remembered what I was doing there and realized I'm just as crazy. I got to stay with 2 other people in a very nice cabin... free of charge... my favorite price!!! I called the cabin Hilton A. It had two rooms, fireplace, full kitchen, deck... the whole works. Took a very long hot shower, did laundry, and just vegged on the couch and watched the boob tube. It feels good to be off my feet.
Day 19 4-8-09
Walked out of the NOC today... all up hill. The wind was so bad yesterday that it made 2-4 foot snow drifts on top of the mountains. It was surreal walking in shorts through these drifts. Camped at Locust Cove Gap where it was crazy windy again and cold. I am longing for a nice spring day to come, but it helps to be around great people that make you laugh. Camped with PyroFly, Captain Caveman, Spring Peepers, Magma Orphan, Jumper Cables, Sparky, Ace Bandage, Cruiser, Turtle and Jazzman. You just got to love everyones trail names!
Day 21 4-10-09
Hiked into Fontana Dam, NC in a thunder and lightning storm!! The morning was nice at first, then came the sprinkles, and in no time the lightning started. At first I thought the bolts were beautiful, then I thought... hey I'm not safe up here with all these bolts hitting around me. Plus I'm carrying aluminum poles.?! After that thought I flew down the mountain in the pouring rain. Made it 3 miles in less than an hour!!! That is flying for me!!! Got to the bottom and saw a Mayfield ice cream truck. PyroFly and I went up to the driver and asked if he had any damaged boxes he wanted to get rid of, and he gave us a box of 6 cones!!! What a treat!!! What a sight!! 4 smelly, soaked hikers standing in the pouring rain on the Appalachian Trail eating ice cream..... Every time I think back on this, all I can do is smile. How can you be so wet and miserable and happy all at the same time?
After the wonderful ice cream we hung out at the Fontana Dam shelter waiting for Captain Cavemans mom to come and deliver some much appreciated trail magic. She came with her class and brought cold cut sandwiches, oranges, cupcakes, pop, cookies, trail mix and more. We were all stuffed and happy. The rain even seemed to stop just for us when the food got there. Later that night after all the laundry was done, and everything was drying out, most of us went to Mr. Pinks cabin and helped make a feast of spaghetti and garlic bread. His parents brought salad, an Easter cake and beer. Everything a thru- hiker craves.
Day 22 4-11-09
Today is the day I begin the Great Smoky Mountains. It is cold, but after an amazing breakfast made by Mr. Pinks mom I am ready to go. Had to stay in a shelter because that is the rules of the Smokys. Mice infested, super crowded, and night noisy from snores and farting.
Day 17 4-6-09
Snow, snow, and more snow. Snowed all day today... about 3 to 4 inches. It was also very windy and biting cold. Sat by the fire for about 2 hours and still couldn't get warm. I will be hiking into the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) tomorrow, and looking forward to a hot shower and clean cloths.
Day 18 4-7-09
What a day!!! Only hiked 6 miles today, but they were some of the hardest!!! The snow covered all the roots and rocks and made for a very slippery hike down hill. Fell down three times and twisted my knee. But I don't feel to bad because 8 out of 10 people also fell and/or hurt themselves in some way today. Watched kayaker's paddle the river in the snow. Thought to myself that they might be a bit crazy, then I remembered what I was doing there and realized I'm just as crazy. I got to stay with 2 other people in a very nice cabin... free of charge... my favorite price!!! I called the cabin Hilton A. It had two rooms, fireplace, full kitchen, deck... the whole works. Took a very long hot shower, did laundry, and just vegged on the couch and watched the boob tube. It feels good to be off my feet.
Day 19 4-8-09
Walked out of the NOC today... all up hill. The wind was so bad yesterday that it made 2-4 foot snow drifts on top of the mountains. It was surreal walking in shorts through these drifts. Camped at Locust Cove Gap where it was crazy windy again and cold. I am longing for a nice spring day to come, but it helps to be around great people that make you laugh. Camped with PyroFly, Captain Caveman, Spring Peepers, Magma Orphan, Jumper Cables, Sparky, Ace Bandage, Cruiser, Turtle and Jazzman. You just got to love everyones trail names!
Day 21 4-10-09
Hiked into Fontana Dam, NC in a thunder and lightning storm!! The morning was nice at first, then came the sprinkles, and in no time the lightning started. At first I thought the bolts were beautiful, then I thought... hey I'm not safe up here with all these bolts hitting around me. Plus I'm carrying aluminum poles.?! After that thought I flew down the mountain in the pouring rain. Made it 3 miles in less than an hour!!! That is flying for me!!! Got to the bottom and saw a Mayfield ice cream truck. PyroFly and I went up to the driver and asked if he had any damaged boxes he wanted to get rid of, and he gave us a box of 6 cones!!! What a treat!!! What a sight!! 4 smelly, soaked hikers standing in the pouring rain on the Appalachian Trail eating ice cream..... Every time I think back on this, all I can do is smile. How can you be so wet and miserable and happy all at the same time?
After the wonderful ice cream we hung out at the Fontana Dam shelter waiting for Captain Cavemans mom to come and deliver some much appreciated trail magic. She came with her class and brought cold cut sandwiches, oranges, cupcakes, pop, cookies, trail mix and more. We were all stuffed and happy. The rain even seemed to stop just for us when the food got there. Later that night after all the laundry was done, and everything was drying out, most of us went to Mr. Pinks cabin and helped make a feast of spaghetti and garlic bread. His parents brought salad, an Easter cake and beer. Everything a thru- hiker craves.
Day 22 4-11-09
Today is the day I begin the Great Smoky Mountains. It is cold, but after an amazing breakfast made by Mr. Pinks mom I am ready to go. Had to stay in a shelter because that is the rules of the Smokys. Mice infested, super crowded, and night noisy from snores and farting.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Getting Back On The Trail
It is Sunday morning and I think we have waited out the worst of the rain and weather until this coming Thursday or Friday. My pack is full again with 6 days worth of food and supplies. I have about 45 plus pounds in it I am sure. We will be hiking until Franklin, NC!!! Two days and we will cross the state border!! One down 13 to go:-) The other hikers did finally give me a trail name. I will now be known as the Toothfairy!! Everyone kept commenting on how nice and bright my teeth and smile was and they came up with that. One of the guys keeps calling me Toothy of Toothache, whatever works I guess.
I just have to say that my time in Hiawassee has been a good one. All the different types of food and drink down south is wonderful. I was introduced to the southern sweet tea!!! Lord have mercy is it beyond great! I also say in the grocery store, ketchup flavored potato chips, baby back rib flavored chips, banana bread pudding ice cream, and so much other interesting items I should have wrote down. At the buffet in town I even had warm pears on ice cream, collard or turnip greens, and strawberry cobbler. Yesterday afternoon we went to the local BBQ place and Jumper Cables and I ordered a one pound burger a piece. It was filled with cheese, bacon, and I dosed it in all their flavors of sauce. Yum. Then we took a nap. Well we are off for another 6 days of fun and wet and pain!!! I can't wait.
Toothfairy
I just have to say that my time in Hiawassee has been a good one. All the different types of food and drink down south is wonderful. I was introduced to the southern sweet tea!!! Lord have mercy is it beyond great! I also say in the grocery store, ketchup flavored potato chips, baby back rib flavored chips, banana bread pudding ice cream, and so much other interesting items I should have wrote down. At the buffet in town I even had warm pears on ice cream, collard or turnip greens, and strawberry cobbler. Yesterday afternoon we went to the local BBQ place and Jumper Cables and I ordered a one pound burger a piece. It was filled with cheese, bacon, and I dosed it in all their flavors of sauce. Yum. Then we took a nap. Well we are off for another 6 days of fun and wet and pain!!! I can't wait.
Toothfairy
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Miserable in the Rain
Day 5 I woke up to the rain and walked to the next shelter where a man named Ski offered me a couple of much enjoyed pancakes, with butter and syrup!!!! So GOOD!! I filled my water, and took out my sleeping bag thinking I would spend the day and night holed up in the shelter. But after a while thinking about how I only walked 3 miles, I packed my bag up again and headed out. By this time it was not raining, it was just dripping down on me from all of the trees around me, so it pretty much felt like rain. Then the wind picked up. What an awful, cold day. I got to the next shelter (Blue Mountain Shelter) a good 3 hours before sunset and I was soaked to the bone, and freezing from the wind. I set up my tent, took off my wet cloths, and found some cloths that were pretty dry, and crawled into my sleeping bag. I was so cold, and so wet, and so tired and hungry that I just started to cry. I never felt so...... helpless? Miserable? I fell in and out of sleep for about 2 hours and still couldn't get warm, then I heard that someone had started a fire up at the shelter. I got out of my bag and stood in front of what I thought at the time was the most wonderful and much needed fire. It warmed me to the bone!!! Just what I needed. After that I crawled back into my tent and froze once again, but I did fall asleep. Woke up in the middle of the night to the feeling of rain in my tent. It was only condensation, but every time a raindrop hit the outside of the tent, a drop of condensation hit my sleeping bag, soaking it eventually right through. I did have a good sleep considering, but now i do not have one piece of dry clothing or equipment on me or in my pack.
Day 6 I packed up all my wet gear and headed 3 miles to Unicoi Gap. Pouring rain went on all the while. Slipping and sliding in the mud and over rocks down the side of the mountain, only falling once!! With my klutziness, I think those are good odds. By the time I got to the Gap I was soaked from head to toe, completely miserable and ready for a warm shower. So I called a cab and another hiker and myself got driven into Hiawassee, GA. After a hot shower, some chili made by the Inn owner, and doing my resupply for 6 more days, I am here at the library typing my heart out.
I have to say it has only been 6 days, but this hike has been the hardest thing I have ever done. You know what the crazy part is..... I don't have to do this, I want to. I have seen some amazing views that have made me smile, one view made me tear up, cold and wet that made me cry, and great people that made me laugh. I will keep going on, I don't know why, but I do know the worst and best is yet to come. I will post some great pictures as soon as I can of some views, and two flowers that have bloomed along the trail already. Happy Thursday to all and tonight I am going to an all you can eat buffet at the local steak house!!! Yeah!!!
Day 6 I packed up all my wet gear and headed 3 miles to Unicoi Gap. Pouring rain went on all the while. Slipping and sliding in the mud and over rocks down the side of the mountain, only falling once!! With my klutziness, I think those are good odds. By the time I got to the Gap I was soaked from head to toe, completely miserable and ready for a warm shower. So I called a cab and another hiker and myself got driven into Hiawassee, GA. After a hot shower, some chili made by the Inn owner, and doing my resupply for 6 more days, I am here at the library typing my heart out.
I have to say it has only been 6 days, but this hike has been the hardest thing I have ever done. You know what the crazy part is..... I don't have to do this, I want to. I have seen some amazing views that have made me smile, one view made me tear up, cold and wet that made me cry, and great people that made me laugh. I will keep going on, I don't know why, but I do know the worst and best is yet to come. I will post some great pictures as soon as I can of some views, and two flowers that have bloomed along the trail already. Happy Thursday to all and tonight I am going to an all you can eat buffet at the local steak house!!! Yeah!!!
Four Days In
Where to start? What a stretch of days so far!! On Friday March 20th, Melissa, Mark and I left Dubuque, IA and it took us 14 hours to get to Dawsonville, GA where we stayed at a super 8 for the night. We went thru the mountains at about midnight, which was fine by me since I was crazy nervous at this point. Every shadow of a mountain that I did see looked absolutely huge and I started haveing crazy doubts. Slept fairly well that night, just to wake up early and open the blinds to try to see any mountains, but no view from our hotel room. (Good thing I thought.) We ate breakfast at a Waffle House in Dawsonville. It was very hard to get the meal down because my nerves were twisting my stomach into one large knot, but I knew I was going to need the energy for the day ahead. So after a large glass of OJ, a bacon, egg and cheese on toast, and some hashbrowns smothered, covered and capped (onions, cheese and mushrooms) we were on the way to Amicalola State Park.
After signing in at the park office, I took my last bathroom break, and we drove up to the top of the falls..... so I didn't have to climb the 600 and some stairs! After a couple of kisses from my sweetheart, and some pictures and tears, Mark and Melissa said their farewells to me. Melissa said she felt like they were dropping off some pet that they no longer wanted in the middle of woods to go and die. I have a feeling that it was her way of saying it was a very weird goodbye?! AND OFF I WENT!
I can't really describe the feeling that I had walking the aproach trail to Springer Mtn. I was nervous, sad, excited, worried, and happy all at the same time. The approach trail was tough!! 8 miles of swichbacks and rocks up one continuous hill. But it was so worth getting to the top!!! I was so excited to see the plaque for the official beginning of the Appalachian Trail, and the view was breath taking!!! I couln't count all the mountains that I was looking at. Peak after peak after peak out there in the distance. There was an elderly man up on the top ( a former thru hiker) taking names off all the people that will be thru hikeing this year. I was number 18 on Saturday, March 21st. He said there has been about 350 some people that have registered with him at the top so far this year.
I hiked 10 miles this first day, and stayed at Stover Shelter. It was a beautiful day in the 60's, so I was beat and sweaty and hungry!! Met a couple people that night, some that stayed in the shelter, and others that tented it by and around the shelter. RoBo, Sunshine and Sparky, Z, Mike Smith, adn Turtle and her husband. It was not a great and comfortable sleep, because there was a boyscout troup to the side of the shelter that was a little noisy, but the troop leader snored like a train that night.
Day 2 was long, 12 miles I put on!!! My feet hurt, and I got sun burnt on my arms, but I was nice and warm, and met some more interesting people with some interesting names.
Day 3 I hiked another 12 miles to Slaughter Creek Campsite at the base of Blood Mountain. There was an amazing sunset that almost made me tear up. It was the first time I felt a little lonely because I had no one to share this with. But after eating a pot of hot noodles, and some peanut butter, I was feeling better.
Day 4 I got up at 5:30 A.M. and hiked in the dark up to the top of Blood Mountain where some of us heard there should be a wonderful view of the sunrise. Well there was nothing but thick fog and mist all around. It was actually a little spooky after walking for a half hour and all of a sudden there is this mist in front of your head lamp. I just started thinking of all of the blood shed there from the Indian wars (hence Blood Mt.), and wondering if there are ghosts walking about? How the mind wonders. I walked over Blood Mt, and on the other side was Neels Gap and the Walsi- Yi Center, where I showered, and did laundry, stocked up on some goods, and had a burger from some trail angels out on the deck. After the burger, some corn nuts, and a soda (I couldn't resist that mello-yellow looking at me), I took off hoping to hit the next shelter. Well I never made it that far and my feet were killing me. After another 12 miles, I decided to take camp alongside of the AT all by myself. I pitched my tent, ate some cheese and crackers, and made a fire. It was the worst night thus far because I was so worried about every noise I heard. Was that a bear? Is it getting my food? What was THAT noise? I probably slept on and off about 3 hours. Only to wake up to the rain and thank goodness, a full food bag..... worried for nothing!!! But I prayed all night long, and I told God I don't think I will ever camp like that by myself in these bear filled woods again.
After signing in at the park office, I took my last bathroom break, and we drove up to the top of the falls..... so I didn't have to climb the 600 and some stairs! After a couple of kisses from my sweetheart, and some pictures and tears, Mark and Melissa said their farewells to me. Melissa said she felt like they were dropping off some pet that they no longer wanted in the middle of woods to go and die. I have a feeling that it was her way of saying it was a very weird goodbye?! AND OFF I WENT!
I can't really describe the feeling that I had walking the aproach trail to Springer Mtn. I was nervous, sad, excited, worried, and happy all at the same time. The approach trail was tough!! 8 miles of swichbacks and rocks up one continuous hill. But it was so worth getting to the top!!! I was so excited to see the plaque for the official beginning of the Appalachian Trail, and the view was breath taking!!! I couln't count all the mountains that I was looking at. Peak after peak after peak out there in the distance. There was an elderly man up on the top ( a former thru hiker) taking names off all the people that will be thru hikeing this year. I was number 18 on Saturday, March 21st. He said there has been about 350 some people that have registered with him at the top so far this year.
I hiked 10 miles this first day, and stayed at Stover Shelter. It was a beautiful day in the 60's, so I was beat and sweaty and hungry!! Met a couple people that night, some that stayed in the shelter, and others that tented it by and around the shelter. RoBo, Sunshine and Sparky, Z, Mike Smith, adn Turtle and her husband. It was not a great and comfortable sleep, because there was a boyscout troup to the side of the shelter that was a little noisy, but the troop leader snored like a train that night.
Day 2 was long, 12 miles I put on!!! My feet hurt, and I got sun burnt on my arms, but I was nice and warm, and met some more interesting people with some interesting names.
Day 3 I hiked another 12 miles to Slaughter Creek Campsite at the base of Blood Mountain. There was an amazing sunset that almost made me tear up. It was the first time I felt a little lonely because I had no one to share this with. But after eating a pot of hot noodles, and some peanut butter, I was feeling better.
Day 4 I got up at 5:30 A.M. and hiked in the dark up to the top of Blood Mountain where some of us heard there should be a wonderful view of the sunrise. Well there was nothing but thick fog and mist all around. It was actually a little spooky after walking for a half hour and all of a sudden there is this mist in front of your head lamp. I just started thinking of all of the blood shed there from the Indian wars (hence Blood Mt.), and wondering if there are ghosts walking about? How the mind wonders. I walked over Blood Mt, and on the other side was Neels Gap and the Walsi- Yi Center, where I showered, and did laundry, stocked up on some goods, and had a burger from some trail angels out on the deck. After the burger, some corn nuts, and a soda (I couldn't resist that mello-yellow looking at me), I took off hoping to hit the next shelter. Well I never made it that far and my feet were killing me. After another 12 miles, I decided to take camp alongside of the AT all by myself. I pitched my tent, ate some cheese and crackers, and made a fire. It was the worst night thus far because I was so worried about every noise I heard. Was that a bear? Is it getting my food? What was THAT noise? I probably slept on and off about 3 hours. Only to wake up to the rain and thank goodness, a full food bag..... worried for nothing!!! But I prayed all night long, and I told God I don't think I will ever camp like that by myself in these bear filled woods again.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Delay?
What perfect timing.... I threw my back out on Thursday, and today I get sick! What? Am I being tested, or is it just my bad luck pushing to the forefront? I have another chiropractic adjustment tomorrow morning, and if all goes well, and if I am feeling better from this cold, I will go on as scheduled. But if not, the ride down to Amicalala State Park will be delayed until Monday or Tuesday. I am frustrated that my plans are changing daily. I am not one to go off my planned course and it irritates me so when I have to. But maybe this is my first lesson of the trail, even though I haven't stepped foot on it ..... plans will change, some for the better, and some for the worse...... Deal with IT!
Right now feeling the way I do, I believe I am at the bottom looking up, and there is only up to go!! i guess on the positive side I can still work and make some more money for the trip, and help Bonnie train in the new staff more.
Right now feeling the way I do, I believe I am at the bottom looking up, and there is only up to go!! i guess on the positive side I can still work and make some more money for the trip, and help Bonnie train in the new staff more.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
10 Days Away
It is March 1st and I just finished putting the 2nd coat of protective water resistant spray on my pack, pack cover and boots. I can not believe my journey starts in 15 days, and that I leave Cannon Falls in 10 days. Dreams are becoming reality now.
There has only been one major issue thus far, and that is how I am going to get to Georgia. Mark - my boyfriend- was supposed to drive me down in his work van, but last Thursday he got into an accident and totaled the van. Thank God he was wearing his seat belt and not injured besides having a bloody nose from the air bag. So my good friend Melissa said she would drive me down since she is laid off of work. Yeah!!! ( Yeah for her driving, not yeah that she got laid off.) Now to just make sure that I have enough gas money, something I didn't plan for.
I feel that I am prepared in what I have for gear, but very unprepared on what to expect in the mountains. Never have I stepped foot on a mountain, let alone hike 6 months on a chain of them. Once again time will tell, and from the mouth of my ever wise love.... " Just take it one week at a time, and be happy you are not working." Mark and all his wisdom makes me smile.
There has only been one major issue thus far, and that is how I am going to get to Georgia. Mark - my boyfriend- was supposed to drive me down in his work van, but last Thursday he got into an accident and totaled the van. Thank God he was wearing his seat belt and not injured besides having a bloody nose from the air bag. So my good friend Melissa said she would drive me down since she is laid off of work. Yeah!!! ( Yeah for her driving, not yeah that she got laid off.) Now to just make sure that I have enough gas money, something I didn't plan for.
I feel that I am prepared in what I have for gear, but very unprepared on what to expect in the mountains. Never have I stepped foot on a mountain, let alone hike 6 months on a chain of them. Once again time will tell, and from the mouth of my ever wise love.... " Just take it one week at a time, and be happy you are not working." Mark and all his wisdom makes me smile.
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