Familiar Territory: Smoky Mountains

I haven't been able to blog much so far because the town I went into had a library, but I went in on a Sunday and it was closed. Hopefully it won't always work out that way.

The trail has been pretty amazing and many things have happened since my last post. I am now in Knoxville just for the night. This was an unexpected side trip, but I hiked faster than I thought (my legs are feeling it). I had a set date to meet Julie in the Smokies but arrived early. Luckily, Bo Cox, a friend and past AT thru-hiker 2008 came to get me in the Smokies and gave me a ride here. He actually met me at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and hiked 30 miles with me a few days ago, a definite highlight of the trip.

Georgia was basically a really hilly green tunnel. Lots of trees, only a few good views, and really unexpected cold weather. I linked up with some UT guys for a few days, but my knees had enough of the downhills. I took some slow days and they continued on. Since then, I have linked up with FiveStones, another thru-hiker. He hikes about the same pace as me, so we usually see each other every night at shelters. We have set the same ending date, so I am sure I will be seeing him a lot.

I have finally left Georgia and have made it half way through the Smokies (205 mi so far). I have been caught in two rain storms (one with hail), I have seen 2 wild boar, one billion grasshoppers, a deer eating leaves literally right next to me at 3 in the morning, a few snakes, an earthworm that measured 16 inches long in the Smokies, and I have yet to have a night where I have camped alone. My lowest mileage in a day has been 11.6, and my highest was 22.5.

For those who are curious, here is an example of an AT shelter (a Smokies one).

Nothing really too special, but they keep the weather out. You have to pay attention to hanging up your food, or the ninja mice will find a way into it.

Julie and I are headed out to where I left off in the Smokies, and she is hiking to Hot Springs, NC with me (about 70 miles). We just got back from the store with tons of food, and I am interested to see if it will fit into our packs. Being in familiar territory is nice. I'm glad my legs could get a rest in Knoxville tonight. An actualmattress and warm shower will never be taken for granted again. Also, I need to convince Taco Bell to deliver on the trail!

As for the trail name, it has yet to be born. I have had a few offers, but none of them have stuck. We'll see what it becomes soon.

Night Two

So this is only the second night on the trail, and I am already in a hostel. It definitely wasn't my plan, but the weather here has been crazy. It's really cold (low 40s tonight) and I didn't plan for cold weather at all...its suppose to rain tonight, and the next two shelters were closed due to bear activity. For all the moms and grandmothers out there, don't worry. I have my shotgun slung over my shoulder at all times. I just found out at the hostel that the shelters are reopening tomorrow, so that's good news.

Yesterday was a great day. However, of the 11.6 miles I hiked, only 2.8 were actually AT miles. The AT Approach Trail was such a tease. If I was a rabbit, the AT tied a carrot in front of my face for the first 8.8 miles. It was a strenuous approach, and that was just to get the peak of Springer Mountain, the "official" start. I camped last night and slept fine. Some sprinkles in the night, so I wasn't thrilled about packing up a wet tent. Good thing its tiny.

Today was 17.6 mi. I didnt intend to hike that far, but if I wasn't eating...I was hiking. I took a long lunch (that was freezing) and ended up at Woody Gap. Three other hikers and I decided to take advantage of the hostel since the weather was unexpectedly cold. Hiking weather, perfect. Hanging out outside weather, very chilly. I listened to music a lot which helped with the hills. Instead of hearing my heart beat in my ears, I listened to Vetiver and Coldplay.

Tomorrow's plan is to hike around the same distance as today. I have linked up with two guys with a similar pace (two of Bryan Hill's friends, if you know who that is...) I heard they were starting the same day as me, but never thought I'd actually meet them. The next thing I know I am staying in a hostel with them. Small world...I wonder who else I'll meet.

Springer Mountain, GA...Tomorrow!

The trip is finally about to begin. After months of planning, I finally leave in the morning. My brother, Brad, is driving me to Springer Mountain, GA where I will officially start my 2180 mile trek to Maine. It's actually pretty hard to describe how I feel right now. There are mixed emotions of excitement, nervousness, and everything in between. Some of you are probably thinking I am crazy for wanting to do it, and you're definitely right!

People have been asking me what I am most excited about and what I am most dreading about the trail. I'll start with the bad first. I have been dating Julie Marie Stem for two and a half years at this point. I am most certain that the hardest part of the adventure will be being away from her. She was a counselor at a camp two summers ago and was gone for around 2 months, it the was really hard to be apart. Fortunately, we actually learned a lot about each other with out time apart. Letters, phone calls, and the distance strangely brought us closer together. We are looking forward to see how the distance is will bring us together this time ("looking forward"...and dreading). Also, pooping in the woods...

I think I am most excited about getting into that rhythm of hiking and meeting new people. I considered doing another long trail, but the AT has so much tradition and fellowship; I've heard it's hard to beat.

I asked Julie almost a year and a half ago what she thought about me doing the trail, and her response was, "That'd be so great". That excitement has definitely turned to sadness as we spent out last hours together today. I am thankful to have such a great girl who is willing to sacrifice time apart from me to pursue a goal I have had since I can remember. She's...pretty cool (SNL: hilarious). Sidenote: she is actually meeting me in two weeks to hike ~35 miles of the Smokies, so it won't be too long before I see her again.

At this point, I am pretty sure I'm ready.

This photo of my pack's contents is what I am starting with. I am interested to see what I will not use and leave behind and what I am missing. Comparing this to the same photo when I am done with be very interesting.

It's late, and I just remembered I need to get directions to Springer Mountain. I should be posting...at some point. Very helpful, I know.

The End of an Era

The past few days I have been packing up my life in the house I have lived in for three years, the house known by many as "Kentucky". The majority of my college memories have been at that house, and it was hard to load up everything I own in my car and trailer and drive away...

I'm quite the nostalgic person, and I already miss the times in that house. Bonfires, airsoft wars, bike rides to Market Square, jamming in the basement, cooking in a kitchen full of roommates, bike rides to Island Home Park, canoeing around Island Home Airport, hanging out on the porch, having a french door separating me from good friends, Spades, Risk, and Uno, cliff jumping at Ijams quarry, running down to the Ijams boardwalk and greenway...the list is almost endless.

I am also sad to leave Knoxville in general. I personally love the city, the size, the people and the atmosphere. Everything is a 15 minute drive, the mountain are just around the corner, and lots of one-of-a-kind restaurants. I'm not really sure if my life in Knoxville is over forever though. The next few years of my life will be spend in Nashville and wherever I get into dental school, but Knoxville is not ruled out in the future. I really like the town, and I'm sad to leave.

The AT is 6 days away now...I'm starting to get anxious.