Post #3

In the beginning, God created….

There are five of us in the family station wagon, on our way to have a picnic at Pine Grove Furnace State Park which is a 40 minute drive from home.  Staring out the window from the back seat and watching the fields and then forests go by, I see the rustic wood sign streak past: “APPALACHIAN TRAIL Maine to Georgia.”

“Hey Dad, can Dick and I go backpacking on that trail sometime?”  “Sure” was his immediate response, which was somewhat out of character.  At that reply, my mom, seated on the passenger side of the old bench seat, slowly turned her head to look at Dad for a few moments, but never uttered a word.  I think her protective instincts were on high alert.  

After spending $40 on a JC Penny backpack, poncho, canteen, and mess kit, we hit the trail a few weeks later. Ah, the good old days: work boots, flannel shirts, blue jeans, sterno stove.  An adventure.

When I told my mom about my plans last August, her response was “There are a lot of crazy people out there.”  To that, Kaytlin replied, “Well, then he will fit right in.”

So here I am, on March 9, sitting in my hammock, trying to type with only my thumbs like my kids taught me, with a dozen other crazy people all huddled in their tents nearby.  The sun has set and the full moon is shining through the trees. The clear sky promises to bring another cold night. Instead of the sounds of nature, the army ranger training school  from Camp Merril has commenced automatic weapon fire in the nearby national forest land where they train. I hope it doesn’t continue all night.

On March 6, a couple that shuttles hikers gave me a ride from the Atlanta airport to Amicalola Falls State Park in GA, where I spent the night at a shelter with three other guys that were starting their hike the next day.  To reach the Appalachian Trail (AT), I hiked up the 8.5 mile approach trail from Amicalola Falls, the highest falls east of the Mississippi, and camped near a shelter at the base of Springer Mountain on March 7. Dinnertime found me seated at a picnic table with seven other hikers, each with a little stove, heating our pasta or rice meals, and chatting about where we’re from or what we do.  This was followed by a campfire and 8:30 bedtime, also known as hiker midnight.  

To keep warm in the evening and when sleeping, I wear my long johns, pants and shirt, rain pants, lite jacket, down jacket, hat and two pair of wool socks and snuggle beneath my down quilt.  I also sleep with my phone, battery pack, water filter, and socks so they won’t freeze.

On my second day of hiking, March 8, I occasionally stopped to shed some layers while ascending and reached Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the AT mid-morning, marking the beginning of my thru hike attempt. Later that evening I was serenaded by the army rangers.  

  March 10 was cold and rainy.  The highlight of the day was the trail magic I had at lunch.  Trail magic is an act of kindness given to hikers by folks that are not currently hiking.   It can be a random act of kindness or quite often a premeditated act.  On this occasion, a couple of former thru hikers spent a couple hundred dollars on groceries, set up some picnic awnings in a national forest parking area where the AT crossed a road, and served us chili dogs, hot drinks, fresh fruit, and snacks.  They also would collect the trash we had been carrying and had extra meals and toilet paper if needed. What a blessing this was on a cold, rainy day.

Before I continue, I need to express my gratitude to the GA Appalachian Trail  Club. This section of trail has been well graded and located.

  The highlight of March 11 was the honor I had of meeting another guy attempting to complete a thru hike who goes by the trail name of Pappy.  Pappy has completed three AT thru hikes and is currently trying to break the record that he already holds, of being the oldest to complete a thru hike.  He is 89 years old. No, that Is not a typo. I am in awe of him and he is an inspiration to many.  I spent the evening around a campfire with a guy named Eric and his two sons.  The oldest son is starting his thru hike.

Pappy and me

  All of March 14 was spent hiking inside a cloud, so visibility was only 50 yards.  A small handful of us were blessed with a little trail magic again in the form of fresh fruit.  But the most noteworthy event of the day was that I got to talk to my wonderful, beloved, AMAZING family because my campsite had cell service.

So far my creaky knees are holding up better than I feared.  I’ve met a lot of folks, many of whom I run into once or twice a day and am looking forward to getting to know them better during the coming weeks.  Stay tuned.

Amicalola Falls

The shoe tree- Hikers who call it quits toss their shoes into this tree.