Not really the end...just a break

It was a sad time saying goodbye to Croft, even though we hoped it was a "just for now" kind of goodbye. I feel that I have made a forever friend in her and look forward to strapping on the pack for another adventure this summer and many more in the future. If not backpacking, maybe Cedar Point for some roller coasters or meeting up for a lunch and reminiscing about our journey of 400 miles together on the AT. The songs and rap we made up and sang out of key (we're bad singers...trust me) or the many conversations we had about life and our options on just about everything. Maybe one day we can make pies together because that was something else we learned that we had in common...we make kick ass pies! We were asked to stop talking about them in a shelter because it was making folks want pies😃. It's amazing what you can learn about someone in 6 weeks out in the mountains. In the end, I felt like I had known Ashley for years...I was super sad to say that goodbye, but our last day hiking was a 17 mile day beyond comparison! It was the most beautiful day by far! We climbed gorgeous mountains and saw forever...we sat on the balds and took in every beautiful thing our eyes could see...we got chased by a storm and beat it...we took it slow and rested a lot...we got many pictures...we took many breaks that day and still kicked ass!! It was awesomely sad that it was our last hiking day, especially since our legs were carrying us so far now and things were going to get easier!

Such is life, work called me home and I needed to go. Money funds my trips and I felt like this is what I needed to do. I now feel like I was wrong but live and learn, right?! I missed the trail everyday, my heart hurt while I camped with my bf in the very mountains I should've been hiking. I had no idea how hard the trail had grabbed me and took me in. I was such a part of it and it was now such a part of me! I longed to be in there for 4 days while camping and finally requested that we leave early. It was only 1 day early, but I didn't want to crush this mans vacation altogether. He had worked so hard to make this special, bringing our kayaks and bikes and getting everything organized so he could meet me, camp and play a little, and then take me home. We had not seen each other for 6 weeks, this was the longest we had been apart. Who knew that I would just want to go home?! I tried to have fun, but all I could think of when I looked around me was running with my pack back to the trail! I'm freaking hooked people!

I plan on returning to the trail next week and staring in MD, heading south for awhile. I did my warm up trip there in April, so I can pick up where I left off and put in 2 more states, that would make 4 states completed! I will hopefully see people and if not, I may re-evaluate the situation. The people on the trail definitely bring the trail to life for me. I enjoyed my moments of solitude hiking and they weren't hard to find, but the best times were when I was among freinds! My smiles were plentiful as well as the laughs and that's what I want when I go back. I'm still working but will head home soon from this political circus (RNC) and start packing. I can't even express how excited I am!! For now, I'm a hiker on hold but come next week, I'm Curlz again!!! Woohoo😜😃👍❤️🎒⛰

Some pics of our last day's hike and my camping trip of horribleness, oh yeah...and work😉. Curlz needs mountains with trails!!!

 

 

Lightning pose!

 Croft rock jumping, she has the best poses for pics!! I'm not jealous, I'm just going to steal her ideas!😜

 

Over mountain shelter, it's a converted barn and a great place for a break! 

 Double selfie...😃

 Blazed rock face to climb, the trail is full of surprises.

 

 Love this one! Croft and Curlz...badass chicks!

 This one too! My cameras timer sure helped us score some cool pics😉

 

 

 

 

 Camping by the highest shelter on the trail. Awesome spot. Roan Mountain...6285ft!

 Chilly up that high but always time to pose with the "shovel"!😝

 Yep, Croft too! We sanitized after, no worries...😎

 

 NC DONE!!!!!!

 

 Storm runners, chased for awhile but we arrived dry! Woot woot

 The last picture of Croft and Curlz, for now. We both took a break but this chic went back in and got her 4 states and at least another 100 miles! She's a rockstar and I'm so glad she's my friend!😊

 In Damascus where he picked me up with a truck full of fun! Stayed the night in the Airstream too.

 

 With the dog!!! It's Barkley.😊❤️👍

 The lake, kayaks, and mountains! I tried to enjoy this...but those mountains need to be climbed!!

 Not a bad rock to hang out on.😛

 

My hammock view...nice😊

 Working at the RNC for Univision. I'm on our set getting ready to go live with Pedro, our talent.

 My little work family for the week. It's been fun, but I am so ready to be done!! Talk about overload...this is almost too much after 6 weeks in the wild! 😬😉

Until next time...Curlz out😘