Ready for round 2, actually it's 3!

I am beside myself with excitement, all packed and ready to go. My daughter and grandson will be escorting me to PA where I ended my warm-up trip in April, Pine Grove Furnace State Park. From there I will head North to meet my trail mate Croft. We will put in a few weeks and as many miles in the summer heat as we can stand. I'm a bit thrown off by the extreme heat, but feel I am better still at the packing and preparing for this kind of venture.

My food...well that's another story. I don't know why I stress so much over my shipping boxes, but I do. I know what I eat, what I need, how much of what thing even, and yet I find a way to make it a huge, very involved process. I pack them, then I unpack and repack. I worry about having enough, then I worry about having too much. Now, I am a worrier (bet you didn't see that one coming) and I also have a bit of OCD (SURPRISE), this is not always a fun mix but I work with it quite well. I am organized and like things the way I like them, so when it comes to my food on my trip...it has to be right, yet light, and still enough. Wow, I'm tired just typing out how I go about this. So, I finally got everything the way I wanted it and shipped them out, washing my hands of them and moving on to things I am much better with...the backpack! With a new sleeping bag (more appropriate for hot nights) and a smaller bladder (more appropriate for weight),  I am a new and improved kind of ready. I haven't yet weighed my pack, but I'm guessing 40...it's just my way, I can't imagine me with a 30lb pack! I have to admit, my pack weighed 45lbs the last week of hiking in June and I had sent things home and shipped some things ahead I had deemed unnecessary to carry. I was shocked...this means at times my pack weighed MORE, more like closer to 50lbs! Crazy town, but I carried it. I didn't complain about it, I hoisted up on my back and off I went. I was more excited to eat then most knowing it was going to make my pack lighter:) Funny how I looked at meals and drinking water...I didn't know how heavy that thing was, it just was.

So, with much anticipation I type about this upcoming journey with my friend. I am so happy things turned out the way they did and we get to hike together again this season. My heart was broken while I was off of the trail, I missed it so much. I feel like the "real" me when I'm out there...the real smelly, dirty, complete me. I didn't even think I would go back out on the AT when I started this journey in April. I had a big trip planned and was going to take it on, then move forward to the next big adventure. My list isn't necessarily long but I will do the John Muir trail one day, I just have to. So for now I look forward to completing miles, states, and goals that I set on the AT. Who knew?? It's amazing how if you let it, nature takes you somewhere beautiful...somewhere you either didn't know about or maybe just forgot you knew. It's somewhere unlike any other place, it can't be compared to anything, you cant' even explain it...it's just wonderful.

Thankfully for us outdoorsy types, nature isn't for everyone. I couldn't imagine tons of people on the trail at one time, it would drive me crazy! Part of my love for it is because it takes me away from all the people, the busy work world, stress, traffic, lines, society, tv, technology, email, and people that are too busy to stop and smell the flowers. Look around you, the world is beautiful and I really love seeing it's beauty up close and personal. I find that on the AT! See you out there:)  Curlz is back baby!!!!

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😘

Erwin and before...

Here we (Croft and I) sit and relax after some tough hiking. It feels good to put my feet up and "heal" a bit. Croft's knee is bothering her and my feet are always hurting...as with any hiker on the trail, I am not at all alone with this! We have done 59 miles in 4 days with some slack packing opportunities, a little much our bodies tell us! On the trail yesterday I was daydreaming about a veggie sub. They say the trail gives you what you need and we all know that trail magic and trail karma is real, it happens all the time. I was hopeful that a veggie sub and iced tea would be sitting on the trail just for me to shove in my face, but that seemed completely unrealistic right?! While pumping water and discussing her knee, a guy runs by us in Chaco sandals and a daypack saying hello. We said some "fuck you's" under our breath as his speed and light pack made us envious, but we did manage a friendly hello first. As it turns out, him and his wife and dog Mollie were waiting for us at the gap's parking lot and asked if we needed a ride into town for anything?! We said yes, and gratefully loaded our stinky selves and packs in their car. They had family hiking the trail which is why they were so generous...I mean we stink!! It takes special people to help hikers out, trust me. They took us to Subway first and offered to take us anywhere else, we just had them bring us to the hostel. Trail magic IS real people (veggie sub in my face)!!! They actually offered to pick us up the next day and drive us back to the trail!!!! They are Matthew and Sarah, our latest trail Angels. Thanks guys, we are so thankful for you. So, we rest and will hit the trail tomorrow. I need to be in Damascus by July 3rd to meet my man and head home for some work. I'm so excited!! I miss my life but know I will also miss the trail, it becomes part of you and you become part of it...forever! Breathing in the clouds in the morning, you can taste and smell them! I hope I never forget how they taste! Big rock, white AT symbol. White blaze through the rocks. This trail is amazing😊 Subs on the trail with a blaze in the background. Yep, that's lettuce in my teeth...and I love it😉 River, mountains, trail, and my veggie sub. Trail magic is real. This proves it for sure!❤️😊 Today's mountains. I'll just move this thing off the trail, doing my part! Mountains, clouds, white blazed bald, and my face😊. Good morning! Ashley's fall...she has now tied me with 4 trail falls. This is not a contest, but a healthy competition never hurt anyone. Um, I think I am going to win!😉

Hot Springs...Ahhhhhh

Lovely place here at Laughing Heart Hostel, such a relaxed atmosphere. A soak in a mineral bath hot tub for an hour at the spa and an organic smoothie, heavenly! We ate at a local Tavern and had social beers, we watched game 7 of the NBA Finals and Cleveland won!! I made new freinds and even got to play with a Bassett hound puppy...so sweet. Slept in my tent with my peeps around me and enjoyed the tranquility of the mountains even though we were in a town, just skirting them. Croft and I are slack packing for a couple days to get to Damascus faster, I have work and have to leave the trail the first week of July. It will be a sad day but I'm stoked to have work. Enjoy your journeys! The group... Elvis, the Bassett puppy😊❤️ The spa and the mineral bath... The river bath...Some new freinds. The NBA Finals at the Tavern. Great times here and sad to say goodbye but the mountains are calling...again!😉😊❤️☀️

Gatlinburg, oh my

Made it to Clingmans Dome NP, which is where I decided I wanted to hike the AT several years ago. It was a sweet morning hike UP to the highest point on the trail. I teared up when I got close to the spot where I took "the" picture that hangs on my wall...the one where the dream was born! We got some trail magic on our way up, biscotti and goldfish crackers! Oh yeah, the others shared a single Mountain Dew. With the approach trail mileage this puts Croft and I over 200 miles!!! We took some pics and then needed to get a ride to re-up our food. Cranium gladly helped us hitch hike and scored us a ride to Gatlinburg to pick up our packages. Thankfully we got a room and met up with Trail Budz and Sleepy. So there we were, all 5 of us sharing a small living space just like in the shelters. It was awesome! So...Croft, Santa (aka crusty bits), Trail Budz, Sleepy, and me (now Curlz) did what hikers do and soaked our feet together in epsom salt. 3 of us shared the tub and the other two had the sinks, it was hysterical!! Then we played a gross jelly bean game and thankfully drank beer...I got a skunk jelly...EWWW!! Lots of people here and we definitely had a sensory overload, thanks to the wine and moonshine tasting we seemed to get through it okay. The fellas left this morning leaving Santa, Croft, and I to take a zero day in Fatlinburg! We've done it all here and are so ready for the trail. The mountains are calling us home!  Santa, Curlz, and Croft!  Trail magic! Clingmans dome! Croft, Curlz, Crusty Bits, and Cranium. The spot where the dream was born... Cranium and his hitching magic leg trick! The jelly bean game in the guys room😜 The trolley ride when Croft had enough...that's not a high five she's looking for! Tourist suck and we need to get back on the trail. Bye Gatlinburg, it's been fun! I couldn't forget Sleepy!! He took a few pics for us and missed out...so here he is on the dome.😉 Soaking the feet in Epsom salt...hiker life