The fire tower

Mile 100 is marked on the fire tower but if you hiked the approach trail, you would hit it the day before...at least we did! Having already semi-celebrated this great achievement, I still couldn't help but be elated about hitting this point on the AT. It's hard work to get here and if it wasn't for our wonderful luck in trail Angels and choice zero days, we would've made it here earlier. The thing is, if you don't stop and smell the roses and enjoy the journey, then what's the point?! Good times and awesome views!!       Gazelle was a bit frightened up on the tower, so I came up to be scared with her. Awesome 360 view but damn it's high!! Not to mention the wind...that was crazy! 😬😳😃

Whew, that was something...

Had a great time with Ody and Bill   
in their GA paradise, we find ourselves talking about them so often...our trail Angels! Back to the trail and warming the legs up is tough, on me anyway. Lots of ups then we hit the border of GA/NC and BAM, extreme ups that made the others quite laughable! It was a hard day but beautiful...the hardest days here aren't really comparable to days at home, their just better. I love it out here so much. The hiking, cooking, setting up my tent, sleeping, photos, creeks, and even packing up. I guess it's just my thing. Showers are wonderful and so is modern plumbing but there's just something awesome about roughing it and being out here taking care of myself. I also love meeting all the like minded people who are also out here, it just feels good. So, cheers to my new trail freinds and fellow hikers, thru and section! I'm glad to be a part of this group of folks... Ody and Bill's before venturing on...

And we're off, again

After a two day rest, I'm so ready to be back on the trail. This was the most enjoyable break I could imagine, but with a goal of the halfway mark I feel like I have to keep moving. Now there are shelters closing in the GSMNP due to bear activity and I believe a bear attack! I'm not sure what's going to be open by the time we're there but it was never in the plan to be eaten/mauled by bears, so it may have to be skipped. I want to be safe but dammit, I hate the thought of skipping by and not covering this half as planned. We'll see, making it home safe is the goal so I'll do what I need to. 

As for these days of rest and incredible relaxation, it was like being at a spa...a trail spa in the beautiful mountains of GA. If only I could share how incredible these people are who have taken us into their home and made us feel like family, but words just don't do them justice (not my ordinary words anyways)! The kindness of some cannot be measured by normal standards...these folks are just amazing! They will forever be my first and favorite trail angels but in this case, they must be called trail fairies! I will pay this forward...😊❤️🤗

To the AT and hope bears behave!!!

Trail name???

So my trail name was given to me first and  it was Chef, then came Gourmet...which was not liked by Gazelle who had picked Chef, so back to Chef it was. Now we see that there are tons of Chefs out here and I need something more unique! Sooooo after another trip on the mountain that resulted in a fall I thought Trip would be good, but the girls say no. Food is MY thing so it has been decided that the name must be food related. Hmmm, never have my problems been so easy!😜 

Trail troubles are usually water, food, camp, water, eventually re-supply and shower, and a trail name. This is living! Chef for now until something else comes along and that'll do.😉

 

Make time...

I love yoga but don't always make time for it. If ever it felt good, it doesn't compare to how good it feels out here!! After many miles with a 40lb pack, I believe it is completely necessary! I love it out here and it's wonderful to have peaceful moments like this. Glad she was able to get me on the rock!! I picked up a material at the Top of GA hostel to use for under my sleeping pad that also doubles as a yoga mat. I'm so excited to stretch on the mountains!!😊❤️🤗 

Hooray, Dicks Gap!

Made it to mile 69.6, Dicks Creek Gap! That means more than 73 miles in 8 days with the approach trail, this is with a zero day and 2 short days of hiking. Woohoo, we are awesome!!😜👍😉🤗 

Onward and upward...

11 to 13 mile days with tough climbs and painful descents, but all in all this ole lady is keeping up with my young comrades. This is more than I could've hoped for! Sharing this journey with such awesome, smart, talented, and beautiful ladies is something I didn't expect but am very grateful for! I now can't imagine being out here on my own😊.   Low Gap with Bruce...