Southbound Finished!!

What began as a section hike in Shenandoah National Park southbound in the fall of 2008 has turned to a completed hike of the trail from Maine to Georgia! The hike was done over the course of several spring and fall hikes, culminating in 70% of the journey hiked in the summer and fall of 2010, including the summit of Katahdin in July 1 and a summit walk of Springer Mt in Georgia in early November.

I had to leave PA and MD until the following year because of family commitments and work. I began the final weeks of my adventure in early April, finishing the hike on May 6th in Harper's Ferry, West Virgina. And the great people at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy celebrated the day with me, including breaking out the bubbly just for me! Wow, was it a special time.

Here's to over 4,000 AT miles completed and future adventures that still await!

Goin' South Once More - The Finale

This sign on the AT says it all

Heading south once more, this time starting in Delaware Water Gap, PA where I left off last fall before heading to southern VA. Heading on this trek to Harper's Ferry, WVA to complete my southbound of the entire Appalachian Trail. I am keeping an online trail journal, but not certain how often I will be able to update it while hiking.

So new adventures waiting and more lessons yet to be learned, for certain.

Three Years Ago...and Looking Forward

Three years ago this evening I was holed up in my tent near the Springer Mtn shelter, battling 40 mph winds, the first night of what was to be a six month adventure on the Appalachian Trail. See my trail journal entry that marked the beginning of the journey which tried spirit and soul, and yes, legs and back. Although I must say, we had a beautiful day to ascend the mountains to the southern terminus of this most famous footpath. This year the hikers are dealing with snow and cold unlike anything the southern Appalachians have seen in a while. This winter we received over 5 1/2 feet of the white stuff. So tonight I am feeling most fortunate to have had the day I did to begin my hike back in 2007, even though it was not without its trials.

And now I look ahead to the future. And with that, since some of my writing has not panned out as I thought and I am essentially unemployed once this last book is finished, I am looking to begin a SOBO (southbound) hike this year instead of next. The tentative start date is July 1st at Mt Katahdin in Maine. I am in the process of section hiking most of Virgina, so with that out of the way, it should be easy enough to complete a SOBO hike this year and return in time for the holidays and hopefully, new inspiration for writing projects to come.

Stay tuned to this blog for any news on this venture.

Shenandoah National Park - North Section

I had the great opportunity to hike with fellow White Blazer Mercy from the Florida Keys in what began an eight day adventure section hiking Shenandoah National Park. I must admit I was a bit apprehensive as this would be the first time I would carry all my own gear. What follows is a day by day journal of the events, divided into north, central, and south districts.

October 19, 2008

From Rt 522 to Tom Floyd Wayside; 3.1 miles

Mercy and her yellow lab (I call her Mercy Dog) arrived around 1 PM where we visited and had lunch before our journey to the start of our week-long hike into SNP. Began at Rt 522 near Front Royal where the trail crosses. Began the steady climb up the ridge and I got my first taste of hiking alongside a dog - new for me! Arrived at the shelter area by 4:30 PM where we each found a tentsite, though mine ended up in a pile of rocks. Mercy offered up some hot chocolate in her heavy duty Nalgene container which was good as the temp began to fall and all I had for supper was a PB and J sandwich. We had a small fire and talked until hiker bedtime at 8 PM. I had a cold night that night and was wishing for my 15 degree Marmot bag.

October 20th

From Tom Floyd Wayside to Gravel Springs Hut; 10.5 miles

Day began early before the sun rose with the change of season. Hiked up to a view at Possum Rest then went to obtain our backcountry camping permits. Interesting walking with a dog seeing to her needs. Saw beautiful views from Compton Peak and the Marshalls. Mercy takes it real easy on the uphills so I went ahead and met up with her at look-outs or other points along the way. We arrived at Gravel Springs at 4 PM to set up our tents. Met one flip flopper who was about ready to finish his hike of the entire AT at Waynesboro. His name was Yogi.

Tent site at Gravel Springs

October 21

From Gravel Springs to Pass Mtn Shelter; 13.5 miles

Mercy elected not to go over Hogback Mtn and walked the Skyline Drive for the first few miles while I headed over the modest mtn. Met up with two elderly ladies section hiking the AT and enjoyed chatting with them. Met up with Mercy at Rattlesnake Pt overlook where she exclaimed her delight at seeing not one but two bears on her journey. Continued on toward Elkwallow when Mercy spotted her third bear of the day and my first - and young adult foraging. Arrived at Elkwallow Wayside for hamburgers. Then a tough climb out of the gap with my hamstring bothering me after a slight pull the previous night while trying to get out of my tent (!). Had a tough time mentally for a while until I saw the central section of the park displayed before me and found courage in such splendid scenery. I continued on to Pass Mtn shelter while Mercy nursed growing blisters. There I set up my tent. Some section hikers were in residence at the shelter. Made up my turkey dinner courtesy of the ATC cookbook and really liked how it turned out. Quite tasty. Cold windy night and my tent blew down once.

Part II in next blog.

Sickness BAD

The View from Springer Mountain, Georgia

Okay, I am getting it bad. SPRINGER FEVER. I was out today running (I have been getting into a running program of sorts to try and maintain a little of the conditioning I gained on the trail). The weather is sunny and pleasant. Birds are singing. A waft of smoke from a neighbor's chimney tickles my nostrils. And suddenly I am transported back to the trail on a similar day nearly a year ago when I was enjoying a delightful spring day in Georgia. Oh, it's great to reminisce. And think how I would very much like to do it again, if the Lord wills.

We shall see.

But for now I bask in a fever that I do not need an aspirin for, save the trail alone.

A Future Thru Hike??

Could this be us...in the future?

WHAT?

Well, we just got a great idea last night as we talked. I have been moaning to Skipper how much hiking the trail would help him physically, etc., and how I wish he could have hiked the whole thing with us. I have seen my back helped. I have dropped three dress sizes. And I guess with the warm weather we've been experiencing, I was thinking about my start last March on the AT.

And then we got to talking. And planning. And saying - can't we do the whole Appalachian Trail as a couple? A hubby and wifey team? Wouldn't that be fantastic?

Suddenly I was getting excited all over again. I felt like I had a new goal. We have several years to get the business in line, Paul Bunyan at UVA, some more of my books written (and hopefully published). I could celebrate this hike by doing it all over again with my hubby and allowing him to experience everything we did (and he would LOVE the ponds of Maine!).

Oh...it's SO nice to have a goal again. If it is meant to be...

And it's not even time for a New Year's resolution yet!