First Trail Angels...

Gotta give a big thanks to the first group of Trail Angels. During the cold, misty day on the way up Tray Mountain, a monstrous red tent was sitting about at Tray Gap waiting for hungry, chilled, soggy hikers to stumble upon their temporary abode. Inside were a group of '08 thru-hikers spreading the joy of trail magic they gratefully experienced the year before.

It's a great feeling, let me tell you. I've forgotten most of their names already, but they filled our tummies with hot dogs, chili, cookies, nutty buddy bars, beer, soda, water, chips, and warmth. Perfect on a day like that. I had so much energy after that, I probably made it up Tray Mountain in record time :)

Also had some trail magic at Dicks Creek Gap on the way to Hiawassee. Sodas, oreos, fresh fruit, and chocolate were waiting to be eaten. My family also met me there and greeted me with hot coffee, cookies, and hugs. They were my shuttle service for a few hours and took me to the grocery store and filled my stomach up with real food! Trail magic is glorious...

And while I'm at it, I owe a BIG thanks to all the volunteers who've carved away the trails and have upkept the shelters to make the Appalachian Trail possible. I know I've not even made it to another state yet, but I have realized how much work goes into this and appreciate it grately.

Until the next computer I come upon...

Soggy no more!

I've never enjoyed the sight of an early sunrise more than I did after four days of nearly constant cold rain. I'm just hoping we don't get the same quantity of rain as the 2003 thru-hiking crew... 3 months of rain! I guess I shouldn't complain at all. I'm grateful the sun is shining now, though! And even with soggy clothes, and a weighted down soaking pack/tent, I am still as happy as ever.

I've met some incredible people, and I'm only a week into the hike. It'll be interesting to see who makes it to Maine. There's lots of long-distance hiking dogs out here too. More than I had expected. They even have their own packs.

I've made it to Hiawassee, GA and should be at the GA/NC border in just a couple days. Thus far I've knocked out roughly 3% of the trail (67 miles)...which doesn't include the 7 mile approach trail. And the forecast for the next few days has very little rain in sight :)

I'm starting the feel the hunger pains and smell the hiker stink that supposedly go along with walking nearly 2200 miles. There are quite a few prevous thru-hikers out here, and they've claimed it only gets worse. Makes sense. Especially in the heat of the summer. Mmmmm, that's gonna smell good.

I was planning on taking my first zero day (rest day), but am gonna make it a short day instead and hike 4 miles to the next shelter. I'll probably take my first rest day on the trail.

I hope everyone's enjoying the sunshine...if it's sunny where you are. I know I will!

First day in the Rain (3/25/09)...But still happy

only one computer here so I can't write a detailed entry...

It's been raining since 36 hours ago and supposed to for three more days. I was walking in the clouds quite literally all day yesterday.

To ease any fearful minds, I've met lots of friendly folks already. The hostel I stayed at yesterday was booked with at least 20 other hikers. About 25 people started the same day I did (sunday, march 22nd). 40 started the day before me. These friendly characters range from fresh out of high school to 60+ years old. At this point, it seems 1/5 are women, maybe less. But still, more than I expected.

The hiking has been really awesome. It truly feels awesome and wonderful to be on the trail. And even though I was soaked and cold all day yesterday, I was still as happy as ever. Hopefully other rainy days will be the same. It's inevitable it's gonna rain, so I might as well enjoy it. I always try and think it could be 110 degrees with 100 percent humidity. Give me cold wet and rainy any day :)

I've officially become unaddicted to coffee in just for days. I suppose it was relatively easy because my addiction level was only one cup a day.

That's all I have time for now. Thanks everyone for the happy hiking thoughts. Come visit and hike with me if you can!!!

Aloha!

Butterflies and Sunshines...

I'm heading out to Amicalola Falls in 15 minutes! Fortunately - and surprisingly, I slept like a rock. Gotta go grab a few Snicker's for snackies and a bite to eat for breakfast, then the real fun begins.

I expect it to be fun and happy and pretty sunshines, butterflies, and flowers all the way to Maine. :) I sure do hope I'm not dissapointed.

ha ha, yeah right. maybe butterflies in my stomach. day one's gonna kick me in the ass... but it'll be worth it in the end. at least the sun actually is shining right now!!!

y'all take care and much aloha across the seas and lands!

The day after tomorrow...

"I have so much stuff to do" has been my favorite phrase for the past week - and I'm finally almost done. I'm so looking forward to the moment my first step hits the trail. Oh what a beautiful moment it will be.

For the record, I will be leaving a day later than originally intended.

I did really have so much 'stuff' to do. I could have gotten it all done, but with a super elevated stress level. Now I can relax a little bit, not feel so rushed, and most importantly, spend all day tomorrow hangin' out with mi familia.

And for a different record, I've concluded I will not be a professional seam sealer when I grow up. It's just not fun. It's tedious. and it's boring. I couldn't even find some sort of meditative quality to delicately sealing the seams of my tent. Thank goodness it dries clear. And thank goodness I've been able to knock off one more career option off the career options of the world list.

So I leave Sunday, March 22nd, 2009. The day after tomorrow.

Now I'm gonna go box up my bike (just in case I decide to ride home from Maine). we'll see about that one.

Pre-hike procrastination entry :-)

I've got loads of stuff to do before heading up to the unknown (to me) lands of appalachia...and I'm sitting here trying to write a pre-hike journal instead. I am a procrastinator. oh well.

Once I'm on the trail, it won't really matter anyway. There's a pretty bad wreck getting cleaned up on my street preventing me from getting home in a timely manner - so rather than sit in traffic, I came to the library instead. Just trying to be efficient. yup. we'll go with efficient.

But truthfully, I am gettin' pumped. and excited. and nervous with anticipation (it's a healthy nervous).

if you care, today I have to:

-seam seal my tent (basically line the seams of my new cloth home with a waterproof sealant to prevent the big bad H2O from trickeling inside).
-end the service of my cellular communication device - one less thing to control my life on a monthly basis.
-work. yes my last day of work for six-ish months. how glorious...although I do suppose technically I will be working my ass off - just not getting paid a dime to do it.

there's waaay more, but i'm getting bored listing what i need to do.

My start date has been set for this Saturday, March 21st, for quite some time now. My family's taking my up to Amicalola Falls where I'll meet up with the approach to Springer - the official start of the trail. and yes, I can't believe it's already here - and it's starting to hit me how long 5+ months really is.

If curiousity is taking over your mind, this website is a fun Appalachian Trail resource to waste hours of time with non-useless info: www.whiteblaze.net (For the record, "white blazes" quite literally mark the trail on trees/rocks/stumps -and other things I suppose- all the way to Maine - and the other way around, of course). And for the record - again, If curiousity is not taking over your mind, you probably won't find this website very intriguing...

That's gonna have to be enough for a pre-hike entry. It's time to be efficient for real.

Questions??? Just ask! comments/words of wisdom/words of encouragement??? just type :)

Ciao for now...