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.