First Week Up-and-Down-Date

3/20/13:  Left Atlanta EARLY Wednesday morning and arrived at Amicalola Falls State Park. Signed in their log (I'm thru-hiker 531) and started off around 8:30 am. The approach trail begins here and is about 8.8 miles of trail leading up to the actual Appalachian Trail. (So basically I walked a day extra that doesn't even count :) ) The falls have a RIDICULOUS number of steps... like 600. It could have been a million and probably felt the same. Neverthless, we hiked from the falls (which were beautiful) to a shelter 2 miles past Springer Mountain (11.6 miles) the first day! That first night in the shelter was a very COLD 27 F with wind chill in the lower teens or single digits. (got different numbers from different  folks).

3/23/13:  Reached Blood Mt (highest point on the AT in Ga.) on the way to Neel's Gap, the first resupply station.  I was probably the only one who did not need to buy food bc I still had so much and was able to give some away.

3/24/13:  Have a new hiking partner, Elliot, (from Maine).  She rode the bus to Ga. in order to walk back home.

3/25/13:  My average mileage so far is between 10-13 miles per day!  I've walked in the rain, mud, super cold, windy, and today was crazy cold with snow all day. I've decided after extended research (11 miles) that hiking and camping in the snow and subfreezing temps are BY-FAR my least favorite AT experience and is stupid.. It sucks.....and I am not making a habit of doing that crap again. I fell numerous times in the snow, broke my water bottle and the water froze in my back pack...so I had no water.  So instead, I'm taking my first zero day tomorrow in Hiawassee (week anniversary) bc the weather is supposed to be dumb again.  Besides, last night I had a furry visitor (mouse) come in my tent in pitch black dark after midnight that scared the crap out of me. But I got it out quickly and it didn't eat my tent or gear. Rodents are the worst pests on the AT I have been told.  Haven't seen any other wild life, other than a beautiful hoot owl one morning.  Hopefully Wednesday will start to clear up.

Was given my trail name today: "Rainbow Bright" bc of my colorful clothing options :)  probably bc I was  walking in the rain in a lime green raincoat, purple hat, lavender scarf and turquoise shirt.

I've been hiking with a really cool group of folks. A solo female, 2 solo males, and 2 guys from Florida. Everyone has been really nice and helpful!! :D

2 trail magics so far and they were AWESOME :)

**Cliff Dodson and Truett Goodwin came to visit at Neels Gap yesterday and took me to dinner. It was wonderful :) Thank you both!!!!

Off to the Races

Tonight is the last night I'll be spending in Forsyth and all of the family (both biological and adopted) came to moms for dinner and board games.  We had a great time; I really appreciate everyone for stopping by! I'm going to miss everyone of you so much!

I leave for Atlanta tomorrow and from there Amicalola Falls early Wed to begin hiking (approach trail~8 miles).  I will have travel accompaniment for the first three days of my journey. After that I will be soloing it :D

Neels Gap is the first resupply stop and I expect to reach it sometime Sat-Sun. I've packed my bags, unpacked, and repacked....and with enough food and water for Xerxes' army it rests at a whopping 40 pounds. I've tested my gear and experienced carrying most of it for several hours. It wasnt pleasant to say the least, but I can do it! :)

10 Day Count Down

NO TURNING BACK!  

(Well, I could but where's the fun in that!?!)

After spending a life savings on equipment and supplies, up and quitting ALL my jobs AND being a big mouth about this "cockamamy" plan to walk to Maine, I'm more anxious than ever :)

I am pretty set on all my equipment and have a short camping test this week just to make sure that everything's up to par.

Everyone's been really great with the concerned recommendations and helpful tid-bits. (But I'm still not going to take a gun.)

Mom has been...um.. more "nominated" than a willing participant for my "special little helper." But she is taking to the responsibilities very well :) She will be responsible for mailing out resupply packages, updating blogs and sending out emails. So for questions and concerns, please speak to my "secretari-mom".

The date is still set for March 20th. I will be dropped off at Springer Mountain in Amicola Falls. (in north GA) My first resupply stop will be about a 3 day hike to Neel Gap. There is a hostel there with SHOWERS, food and a helpful staff that will give equipment and gear advice.

I'd like to give a Special Thanks to :
Mom, Cary, Dad and Trillis
Ben, Lori, JT, Mary Ella
Cliff "Tabasco" and Terri Dodson
Joanna "Baby Ruth" Krohn
Staff of Diamond Brand and Frugal Backpackers in Asheville
My family and friends
Missy, Brandon, Cloe, Spencer, Shylah
Bill and Janice
Bud and Lauri
Tina Dickson
Andrea Zvikas
The Jones
Truett Goodwin
The Waltons
Joan Cooper
HSP/AMA
And anyone who has given me a job, ride, meal, advice/support or a helping hand. No matter the size, everything that you do/did, helped me get to this point. I love and appreciate you!

Soda Pop Stove Pics

Fueled By the Power of Coke!
... and Methyl-Alcohol.

         

2 Soda Cans (and fingers) Cut to Smithereens 

    

Finished Product

   

  

Yey! FIRE!     :D