Day 39. Today’s miles: 19. Total miles: 457. 2.

May 2nd, page 48. Abingdon Gap Shelter. 

Still camping and hiking at 4000′, so the day started cold, in the low 40’s.  Getting out of my hammock is tough! Putting on cold hiking clothes and shoes is tougher! We move fast to stay warm, pack up our gear, and start walking in about 30 minutes. 

The scenery is beginning to change.  Yesterday was many miles of ridge walking, a steady process of many ups and downs.  Today changed into woods and meadows, with beautiful rolling terrain.  

Tomorrow: Damascus, VA, the Mecca of Appalachian Trail hiking.  A small town, it has three outfitters and several hostels.  Most hikers spend a day or two to take in the town where hikers rule.  The AT, in fact, passes through the center of this mile long town.

Day 39. Today’s miles: 19. Total miles: 457. 2.

May 2nd, page 48. Abingdon Gap Shelter. 

Still camping and hiking at 4000′, so the day started cold, in the low 40’s.  Getting out of my hammock is tough! Putting on cold hiking clothes and shoes is tougher! We move fast to stay warm, pack up our gear, and start walking in about 30 minutes. 

The scenery is beginning to change.  Yesterday was many miles of ridge walking, a steady process of many ups and downs.  Today changed into woods and meadows, with beautiful rolling terrain.  

Tomorrow: Damascus, VA, the Mecca of Appalachian Trail hiking.  A small town, it has three outfitters and several hostels.  Most hikers spend a day or two to take in the town where hikers rule.  The AT, in fact, passes through the center of this mile long town.

Slackpack? What is slackpacking? Simply defined, it is hiking a section of a trail without a fully loaded backpack. It gives you the option to carry only what you need for a typical day hike.

How did this come up? Last week, we had a long day hiking and just made it to a hostel before the rain started.  The forecast for the next day was rain and storms all day, so we decided not to waste the day. Rather than fighting the weather, we elected to “slackpack”. For $10, the hostel shuttled our packs to the next hostel, and we just had to hike there. 25+ miles!!!

The day started with rain, but an hour in it stopped. The rest of the day was great. Probably the best day of hiking so far, as all I carried was food and water. What energy we had without 25 pounds on our back!

So, I hiked from 7:30 until 5 pm, and ended at a family run resort, Black Bear Hostel. To reward ourselves for two days of hiking, we took a zero.  Nice!

Serendipity means a “fortuitous happenstance” or “pleasant surprise”. 

Being on a hike now for over a month, I’ve had lots of time to think.  One thing that keeps popping up are the many times that I want something or need something, and it JUST HAPPENS!

Serendipity. Does it exist? Is it magic? Just coincidence? Can it be explained?

I am keeping track of these events, and I find that they take place more frequently than I thought.  Normally, we are distracted by life, get a small surprise, but soon forget the pleasant experience. 

Recently, I’ve had both physical and emotional events.  My first was a couple of days into my hike.  I ran out of water, looked at my map, and there was no water source for at least a couple of hours.  Not good.  Well, a short prayer later, I came across an Army “water buffalo”, a large vehicle left on our path full of potable water! 

My most recent event was just a couple of days ago.  I was hot and tired.  It was afternoon. I looked up to see the biggest climb of the day, and (go figure), I started feeling sorry for myself.  Why am I doing this?! Is it worth it?

I started the climb.  Halfway up, a friendly voice says “Hi, Curious George.  Great job! You’re really doing great on this hill!” Unusual complement at the perfect time…

And, it happened again near the top, from a total stranger… Great reinforcement!

Both events were perfectly timed, and filled me with surprise and a little bit of awe.  Was it also a spiritual event? That’s up to you to decide, but since March 25th, I’ve asked many times, and I have received!

So, let me suggest that you take a little time during your busy life, and pay attention to things that put a smile on your face.  A complement, parking space, a baby’s smile, a wink from a dapper gentleman (or woman!) – things that come at just the right time, and brighten your day, or CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

I’ve started my list; do you have yours?

Today I failed 20 times. 

I set daily goals on the AT. How far I intend to hike, where to stop for lunch, basic stuff.

I have a personal goal to try to climb every hill and mountain WITHOUT STOPPING.  Sometimes I can.  Some days are better than others.

Today started with a lofty goal: hike 20 miles.  The trail had a long 5 mile climb, as well as several smaller climbs.

I failed.  I was tired this morning, and my energy was low.  I stopped on a climb.  Then again.  A drink of water.  Failure after failure…

Did I quit? No! At the end of the day, I completed my first goal.  I hiked 20 miles.  I can do better.  I will do better.  But… Today was a SUCCESS!

Don’t get concerned with small failures.  Stay focused and do your best.  Persist, keep your eyes on the goal, and you too can succeed!

Day 28 Total miles: 280.

The past few days have been busy!

We were lucky. On Day 22, we worked hard to get to Gatlinburg, for resupply, a half day off, and a good night’s sleep at the Grand Prize Prix Motel.

The weather turned, and rain became snow.  2 wet and cold hikers were found and saved on Clingman’s Dome.  We stayed there an extra night as all who could came down from the mountain and temps about 10 degrees… 6 inches of snow fell that afternoon.

The next 4 days were awesome.  My wife was meeting me in Hot Springs if I could make it by Saturday, 4 days away.  That meant hiking 16, 18, 20, and 13 miles to make up the lost day for snow. 

Three of us went for it.  The weather was perfect, hiking in snow the first day. Then it started to melt, so we hiked in snow, ice, and mud for much of 2 days.  But… We made it!

Hot Springs is a wonderful small town that caters to hikers.  Walking into town, I was greeted by several hiker friends.  Very cool!

I met my wife at our hotel and had a grand reunion.  She was immersed in MY environment, meeting many friends and enjoying our reunion.  One highlight of our weekend was the hot springs; yes, they exist! 15 private hot tubs right on a river… Just what my poor body needed!

Back on the trail today, another 10 miles.  Perfect!

CG

Day 22 Gatlinburg.  Zero day.  Total miles: 206.8.

Words of the day: snow, cold, luck. 

We were lucky.  Yesterday, we worked hard to get to Gatlinburg, for resupply, a half day off, and a good night’s sleep at the Grand Prize Prix Motel. 

The weather turned, and rain became snow.  2 wet and cold hikers were found and saved on Clingman’s Dome.  We stayed here an extra night as all who could came down from the mountain and temperature about 10 degrees… 6 inches of snow fell this afternoon. 

Tomorrow: 60 and clear, but we don’t know if the park road will be closed…

Clingman's Dome

Let’s add Flexible to the word list!

Day 17 and taking a zero, so time to finally add some pictures.

4/10/2014. Miles 150.7.

At the beginning. Springer Mountain.

Shoe tree in Neal Gap.

Rainy day path…

Cold! Frost on the sign…

Trail magic and Miss Janet

German friends, German restaurant in Helen, GA

Curious George at the border

Hmmm… are we dinner?

Smokies from a fire tower

Friends Hawk’s Bill, Bear Bag, Cake, and Isn’t Black

Great fun! After the day is done, it’s all about the people we meet and the good times together.

CG