Well, despite being swarmed night before last by Army Rangers as part of their mountain training, which is located in this area (sleeping hikers in camp are good guinea pigs for them to test their creeping up on the unsuspecting skills). Lucky us. Then the two bears in camp last night kept us on our toes a little, but no problems - just not much sleep. Like the post title says, I've made it the first 40 miles. I'm in Neels Gap, Georgia, 30 miles into the trail (the approach trail to start the AT was 8.8 miles). I'm staying here in a hostel tonight and have been given a washer and dryer, a scolding hot shower, unlimited hot coffee, and a local restaurant owner is bringing us a big pasta dinner with all the trimmings. All this for $15 - maybe heaven does exist. If not, I'm damned close right now.
So my first day was tough. The approach trail to get to the summit of Springer Mountain and the official start of the AT was just as unfun as they say. It was chilly and raining when I said "Adios" to mom and dad and hauled my ass and my pack up the 8.8 mile slip-n-slide Approach Trail. It was truly up, up and up some more. I've already met some great people and have been mainly hiking with another girl hiking solo that I met my first night on the trail. I've also been given a trail name - Cruise Control - Cruise for short. Apparently it is believed that I am one of the fastest girls on the trail in terms of speed. I'm sure I'll have plenty of slow days, but I guess Cruise it is. Better to be given a trail name for something believed positive rather than for one of your stupid moments no one will let you forget. Seeing as how I'm an admitted jackass, I'm sure I'll have plenty of "bright" moments along the way.
I'm sore, have a couple of blisters on my feet, just lost my tan in the shower, am always hungry, and I couldn't be happier. There are plenty of others already talking about walking off the trail. For me, I haven't thought about stopping at all because I've simplified my days ... I wake up freezing, warm up a bit, eat breakfast and start thinking about dinner, and then I walk to dinner, eat dinner, ahhh, and go to sleep, wake up and do it again. It's just that easy - I just get up and walk to dinner every day and enjoy the view and accomplishment along the way. It's something to remember when I return to the world from where I came.
5 comments:
I'm so excited to hear from you already, and glad to hear that it is as great as anticipated so far, and that you've met other like-minded folks (for each of whom, and including yourself, obviously, I harbor intensely jealous feelings). Hope you stay on cruise control and keep on digging the scenery. As you know for a fact, it’s better than gray cubicle walls, no matter how up and up and slippery it might get!! -Tara
You go girl.
YEAH!!! I'm so glad you're enjoying your trip so far and especially happy to hear you've met some people and are surviving!!
Take care!! Miss you bunches already!
Liz
Stupid bears don't know who they're messing with! Thank goodness for bear spray...thanks Donna & Joe! Even better yet, poke that bear in the eye, my friend. Keep on cruising, take care of those blisters (duct tape works wonders, I hear) and stretch those quads. Your up and up is both literal and figurative. Miss talking to you. - Melanie
I have been waiting on this post for a couple of days now. Glad you made it and got your hot shower! I will be keeping in touch....look forward to hearing from you again. BTW, my business partner and I got a REAL big kick out of the "sniper attack"....take care. Love, Ryan
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