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| Our sweet Daddy :) |
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Thursday, April 25, 2013
Hot Springs, North Carolina
After a journey through some beautiful areas of the trail (see photos below) Dad is now in Hot Springs, NC and says its a "beautiful little town." He emailed some photos from his phone today and its the first we have heard from him in a while because of ATT service.
His supper tonight was in town with about 100 other hikers, (wow)!! Surprisingly, I didnt get a food picture! I do hope he can make it to the "hot springs" area of town.
I am so glad he is doing well!
* Max Patch- he said was absolutely stunning and the pictures don't do it justice (him in the clearing below)
* Meeting people from all over the the world, including Israel.
* In took about two days for the news of Boston to hit the trail. Needless to say, they are always in our thoughts and prayers. Seems to be much more peaceful on the Appalachian Trail...
His supper tonight was in town with about 100 other hikers, (wow)!! Surprisingly, I didnt get a food picture! I do hope he can make it to the "hot springs" area of town.
I am so glad he is doing well!
* Max Patch- he said was absolutely stunning and the pictures don't do it justice (him in the clearing below)
* Meeting people from all over the the world, including Israel.
* In took about two days for the news of Boston to hit the trail. Needless to say, they are always in our thoughts and prayers. Seems to be much more peaceful on the Appalachian Trail...
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| Bridge over the trail |
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| Look at those dates.... |
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| His "home away from home" |
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| Clearing at Max Patch |
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| Another view |
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| Old barrel - he says from "olden" days |
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| The Appalachian Trail |
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| This keeps the bears away..... |
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| "landscaping" on the trail |
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| Trail cut through a tree |
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Smoky Mountains.. are..... Snowy and Rainy!
* Jacob's Ladder-- Dad navigated one of the toughest points of the trail...one that he says was even hard on the "younger" guys. It is straight up the mountain with no switchbacks and I am so very proud of him!
He is now near Waynesboro, Tennessee and trekkin' on!
* Please view his youtube video (posted below/via Trent) if you havent!
A few photos he shared:
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| Good hearty breakfast before heading back out! |
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| A neat sight on the trail... |
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| A "privy" (outhouse) near the shelter |
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| Fontana Lake in the distance... |
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| Inside of one of the shelters he was in |
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Natahala and lovin' it!
Dad is currenly in what he told Mamma was her "hometown": Bryson City, NC.
He LOVES the area and spent some time at the Natahala Outdoor Center. They were able to help him "shakedown" his pack and make it about 8 pounds lighter. (www.noc.com)
Of course, we have received pictures of food (and to think he never enjoyed eating before!) and of the surrounding area. He says the people are very "hiker-friendly" and he loves the scenery. I am so glad he is enjoying the town. The favorite part of this area is seeing the same faces he has seen on the trail-- it seems to be a comfort to have some "friends" around that you made on the AT!
The AT near Wesser/Bryson City also experienced the storms Georgia did this past week but Dad says either they were not as intense or he slept right through them :) However, the trail was very slippery at times and I have posted a photo below to show how narrow it is at times. (But always still marked by the white blaze!).
The shelter picture below is where he and four other hikers were "hunkered" down during the storm
I am so glad he is enjoying this food/shower stop and look forward to him being back on the trail toward Gaitlinburg (although rumor has it not so "hiker-friendly".)
He LOVES the area and spent some time at the Natahala Outdoor Center. They were able to help him "shakedown" his pack and make it about 8 pounds lighter. (www.noc.com)
Of course, we have received pictures of food (and to think he never enjoyed eating before!) and of the surrounding area. He says the people are very "hiker-friendly" and he loves the scenery. I am so glad he is enjoying the town. The favorite part of this area is seeing the same faces he has seen on the trail-- it seems to be a comfort to have some "friends" around that you made on the AT!
The AT near Wesser/Bryson City also experienced the storms Georgia did this past week but Dad says either they were not as intense or he slept right through them :) However, the trail was very slippery at times and I have posted a photo below to show how narrow it is at times. (But always still marked by the white blaze!).
The shelter picture below is where he and four other hikers were "hunkered" down during the storm
I am so glad he is enjoying this food/shower stop and look forward to him being back on the trail toward Gaitlinburg (although rumor has it not so "hiker-friendly".)
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| Appalachian Trail winding through the mountains! |
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| Rufus Creek Shelter- A roof and side walls - Typical AT shelter, I believe. |
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| Outfitters Store at Natahala Outdoor Center. I hope Dad can work here when he returns from Maine :) |
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| The view from his motel room. Scott told him to "lay by the pool and enjoy a margarita." :) Cheers. |
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Notes from Ashley
Hi folks!
I finally got his blog up and running. As you all know, Dad is not the talker so I am telling his stories and tidbits!
Please feel free to comment with any questions or messages to him-- we will be sure to send them his way! Love you all! :)
I finally got his blog up and running. As you all know, Dad is not the talker so I am telling his stories and tidbits!
Please feel free to comment with any questions or messages to him-- we will be sure to send them his way! Love you all! :)
Tennessee Bound...
Dad is headed toward the area of Fontana Dam. After roughly 10 (yeah!!!) miles of hiking yesterday (with a 40 pound pack) he stayed in the Natahala National Park. Tonight, he is at a shelter but with very little service. He uses a "solar" charger to help keep his phone charged and us updated! :)
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| Great photo of Summers! I love it! :) |
Franklin
April 7th, 2013
Saturday
Dad went into the town of Franklin, North Carolina, for a couple days. He stayed in a "hiker hostel" which he says was a palace after being on the AT!
He was able to experience some good food (see below) and a wonderful breakfast courtesy of Franklin First Baptist (what a neat ministry!).
Layla (who he misses tremendously I'm sure :) ) and I were able to visit and help him grab a couple things and drop some weight from his pack. It was a great visit!
Saturday
Dad went into the town of Franklin, North Carolina, for a couple days. He stayed in a "hiker hostel" which he says was a palace after being on the AT!
He was able to experience some good food (see below) and a wonderful breakfast courtesy of Franklin First Baptist (what a neat ministry!).
Layla (who he misses tremendously I'm sure :) ) and I were able to visit and help him grab a couple things and drop some weight from his pack. It was a great visit!
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| (He is gonna get me for posting this bandana pic, but I LOVE it!) |
Headed into North Carolina
April 2013
He's on the trail! Interesting things so far:
* Hiker Names-- they don't use their "real" names just "hiker names".... so far Hiker Gurl, "Grant" and a couple others are some of the "neatest" he has met. He asked us for suggestions. I said "Mountain Man" but I think he is gonna go with "Summers". :)
* Trail Magic - Boy was he excited!! Hiker clubs/groups will set up "trail magic" at entry points/road crossing on the AT. He ate two hamburgers, cookies, and the "best damn Coca-Cola" he has ever had! As you can imagine, he can't carry a whole lot of food so this was an awesome experience for him to have so much "good food" on the trail!
Couple of photos he sent:
He's on the trail! Interesting things so far:
* Hiker Names-- they don't use their "real" names just "hiker names".... so far Hiker Gurl, "Grant" and a couple others are some of the "neatest" he has met. He asked us for suggestions. I said "Mountain Man" but I think he is gonna go with "Summers". :)
* Trail Magic - Boy was he excited!! Hiker clubs/groups will set up "trail magic" at entry points/road crossing on the AT. He ate two hamburgers, cookies, and the "best damn Coca-Cola" he has ever had! As you can imagine, he can't carry a whole lot of food so this was an awesome experience for him to have so much "good food" on the trail!
Couple of photos he sent:
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| (view from inside the "shelter") |
Appalachian Trail 2013
April 1st, 2013
Monday
Because Dad was in Hiawassee, he started his journey at Dick's Creek Gap. He will go back and hike Springer to Dick's Creek at a later time.
And he's off!!!
Monday
Because Dad was in Hiawassee, he started his journey at Dick's Creek Gap. He will go back and hike Springer to Dick's Creek at a later time.
And he's off!!!
(via google images)
And he's off....Well... wait....
Sunday
We anticipated Dad leaving the day after this picture was taken (Monday--- ) so needless to say we were all anxious :)
Needless to say, it started snowing. For a week. So he was a bit delayed at the house in Hiawassee and I am sure he went a little stir crazy! So he left the following Monday...
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