Kong story

From the editor:
Tripper called me on Saturday 5/19/12 just to update me on her location.
She had mentioned Kong and his antics.
Apparently Kong does not like Tripper's Frogger Gear. She said whenever she wears the whole ensemble, Kong growls at her like she's making a horrendous fashion faux pas.
Well, by the time she got to the most recent shelter, Kong was already there with his people. Tripper was wearing her Frogger jacket, and she was prepared for more growling dissension from Kong. He must have sensed her foul pity party mood, because, in spite of his distaste for her apparel, he put his paw on her shoulder and tried every trick in his book to draw her out of her bad mood. Needless to say, he eventually won her back over to the lighter side.
The folks who hike with Kong aren't fearful of running into bears, because Kong is hunting them. He's gonna get himself a bear. He wants one really badly. Something to stuff and mount over his dog house back home...

Day Twelve

Left Tray Mountain Shelter about 9:30 a.m. It took me 8 hours to hike 6 ½ miles. I thought I’d gotten lost. I had 13 people pass me and only a couple of them stopped to talk. I guess I must not have slept well, because every time I stopped to catch my breath I stayed too long. By the time I got to Deep Gap Shelter, I just wanted to cry. It’s a really nice shelter. I took a picture, and Kong is here. He’s the bulldog and he wanted to play. He’s been doing everything he can to lift my mood- and it worked. The men are building a fire. I don’t want to go to bed before dark, but it’s definitely going to be an early night. I hope to have a better day tomorrow.

Day Twelve cont’d.
Every morning before I set off on the trail I pull out my compass and make sure it and I are pointing north. No need to back track.

I hiked the 3 ½ miles from Deep Gap shelter to Dick’s Creek Gap and could barely get a signal to call a shuttle. Got to Hiawassee again and NO medicine! Damn! I had a good day, hit the dollar store, loaded up on groceries and hit Daniel’s Break House for all you can eat buffet. Then I went to the grocery store for cheese and crackers and Barefoot merlot. Got a shower and got my laundry done.  Drank my wine and visited these other hikers. Then Eddie came back! He runs and operates Quality Coatings and I saw him here at Budget Inn four days ago. He is such a nice guy, and we visited when he came back tonight.  He works up and down these mountains and it was sure nice getting to know him. Back on the trail tomorrow! Meeting up with my niece and nephew in 7 days. YAY!

Day eleven

I had breakfast with an older man. He started talking to me, so I moved over to his table. He worked for the airlines and was a veteran of the Korean war. He also told me about this gorgeous house in Hiawassee- more about that later.

Gene ‘shuttles’ picked me up and brought me back to Unicoli Gap. Yosemite Sam said he will meet me at Tray Mountain Shelter.

When I took a trail break at Indian Grave Gap, I was witness to two butterflies, playing around a cold campfire.

It took 6 ½ miles to get to Tray Mountain Shelter, and I hike about 1 mile an hour. I felt a sprinkle, so I whipped out my pack cover, but it seemed too warm for the Frogger gear. It then began to thunder like crazy. I could see the thunder cloud over the other mountain. Booger Bob was at the shelter. Apparently his knee was giving him a bad time. He had spent the day gathering firewood, so we had a very nice fire. He offered me some pot, so I tried it and it made me cough. Yuk. I didn’t like it 30 years ago, and I still don’t, it makes my throat hurt. I’ll just stick with cigarettes, thank you.

When I read that the shelters have mice, I decided that I wouldn’t stay in them, I’d just camp by them. Well, that was before day three, when I got soaked in a thunderstorm.  Now I hike from shelter to shelter, and I always have company.  I usually also have a camp fire too, if it isn’t raining. The shelters are three sided buildings, built by volunteers. The materials used to build these shelters have been air lifted in, due to the rugged terrain. It is nice waking up to the open air, and so far, I haven’t seen one mouse.

I have learned to sleep with my head lamp around my neck, since I have to get up in the middle of the night to pee. I also keep my lighter tucked in my bra, so I can have coffee in bed in the mornings.  I just put my little stove beside me (if there is room) and fire it up. I had to get new camp shoes since I tripped and broke the strap on my flip flops. I had to tie the flip flop to my foot with a bandanna for a few days.  I LOVE the Appalachian Trail! It is plainly marked, so I don’t get lost. The shelters are dry and a welcome sight at the end of the day. 

Day ten

I like to think on the trail. Bunking down in Low Gap shelter, everyone had their stuff hanging up everywhere.

I looked up at my bag and there hanging on the outside of it is a religious medal that my sister Theresa gave me before I left. It felt good thinking that St. Michael the archangel was watching over all of us. I left before everyone else except for the “newlyweds” and “Sticks”.  I knew they would all pass me up and they did.

It was a really quiet day. I planned on doing 10 miles to Unicoli Gap and then catching a ride to Helen to get my INR tested. Well it started to thunder so I covered my pack. I had to stop for water and it started to rain, so I pulled out my rain gear and put it on. A couple of college kids passed me and said Blue Mountain shelter wasn’t far- and fortunately it wasn’t, because the sky opened up to a torrential downpour.

The newlyweds and their puppy were already there, and since they have Verizon (which seems to be the only cell service that works in these mountains) they were able to tell us that it would blow over. So, I waited it out and came on down to Unicoli Gap. This really nice woman pulled around and brought me all the way to Helen, GA. Her name was Teresa and she was wearing scrubs. I told her I needed to get my INR checked and she told me I couldn’t do that in Helen. She is picking me up tomorrow and taking me to Hiawassee in the morning. I could tell as soon as I met her that she is a breed of special people that bless the Earth with their goodness. It’s just a natural thing for people like Teresa. I hope she lets me buy her breakfast, I think she works nights. Oh, and I just love her accent.

The first thing I did was get a room. Helen is a quaint little Alpine village. The hotel clerk sent me down to the store to pick up some things, but I didn’t get any farther than the liquor store. Vivica, from the liquor store, recommended that I try The Hay Loft for a burger. I also enjoyed the house merlot. Thanks for the suggestion, Vivica! I bought a bottle of Yellowtail Shiraz and a pack of cigarettes from Vivica.   While I was sitting out front smoking, Booger Bob hollered from across the street!  Apparently he, Jeff and the Salesman had gotten a room and were already partying.  Again, he is a total hot mess.  I came back to my room, put on some clean clothes, poured myself a glass of wine and headed for the laundry mat because they close at 9:00 p.m. I was starving, but I had to do the laundry before I could eat.  Well, I sloshed my wine on my clean shirt and dropped one of my gloves, so I pulled off my shirt and threw it in. I sat outside this laundry mat, in Helen, GA., in my pants and this sports bra.

I finally got my INR checked in Hiawasse but not soon enough to get back on the trail. The people at Budget Inn are really nice, and even let me use their computer. On the way back from dinner, I stopped at a fruit stand. The fruit seller was a fairly toothless older man named Dwayne. He was selling fruit out of the back of his truck.  Always trying to push my blog, I asked Dwayne if he ever uses a computer. His response, “No, I just got through 4^th grade, but I did it three times.” He gave me a cantaloupe. He said it was too ugly to sell, but it would still taste just as good- it did. 

Day nine

Not on the trail.

 I spent the whole day at Low Gap. I knew I would because it was going to rain all day. I washed my contacts and cleaned up a bit. I stayed dry. My food was wet, but I didn’t have anything that wasn’t individually wrapped. I just had to lay it all out on my sleeping bag and wipe it all off with my kerchief.

I gathered firewood and put it all under the shelter to try to dry out. We’ll see if we can have a fire tonight. The older men brought some stories with them.  The talkative one said they’ve been hiking for about 10 years- and he has almost finished the A.T.

One time, they were hiking and he saw a bear, so he yelled “Al, BEAR, left!” One second later, two bear cubs crossed the trail right in front of Al. He also said they went through a place where rattlesnakes were all over the trail. (editor’s note: NO Thank You!) 

When I was back at Neels Gap, this guy was watching me and he said “Here, you have to pull on your load adjusters.” (Excuse me???)

He pulled on them and they pulled my pack right up on my back! It snugs up right to my back! Then he showed me how to hold my poles so the straps support my wrists. I was so impressed. I learn something new every day.

Well, Jeff tried to help me get a fire started to no avail. Then another thunder shower poured down on us and even into the shelter.  Man, I’m glad I’m dry. These guys are all about the food. I can’t believe it.

They’re sharing spices and they’ve been eating all day long. They decided not to hang their food bags because of the rain. I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. And Booger Bob is such a hot mess.

Low Gap Shelter, Sunday, Mother’s Day

Nick was playing “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay”, “American Pie” and “Leaving on a jet plane” on his guitar. He’s been giving me cigs. He and Vanessa can really play. They played around the fire the other night and they also made this wonderful rice and sausage dish.  Salesman threw in some flour tortillas- delicious!

The guys from Canada, William and his friend in the turquoise striped shorts have tons of food and snack mix. There’s no room so they had to set up a tent and they’ve been cooking.

The girls from Australia really wanted to stay in the shelter so I talked Joseph from Sweden into scooting down so we could make room.

The two older men from the other day had passed me early on the trail and got to the shelter first. It has been raining all day long. I thought it would be fun to interview them, but they ate, changed into dry clothes and went to bed. Man it’s cold! I’ve been in my sleeping bag most of the day.

The walk from Whitley’s Gap was like walking through a garden. There were mountain laurel and beautiful trees with large lavender blossoms, little bushes with white flowers. Even in the rain you could smell their wonderful scent. I inherited my appreciation of fauna and flora from my dad and Grammy Johnson. Grammy put in a flower and vegetable garden every year.  She would put up 1500 canning jars of food every summer. People would drive by her flower garden and stop to enjoy it.

A couple passed me twice in the last few days and they really know their flowers. They do short hikes and then go back to work. They are a really nice couple. They stopped at Low Gap for lunch and then continued hiking in this rain. “Too slow” Chuck is doing the trail and he just showed up. He’s disappointed that it is a full house. It just keeps raining.

Walking through the “saddle”, there was a beautiful view overlooking a valley full of trees. Last night it was misty and kind of spooky. This morning it was still misty, but magical. 

Day Eight

On the trail… I stayed at Neels Gap a little too long this morning. I got rid of some stuff I didn’t need, sent it home to Lyle. All the kids I’d camped with the night before went over Blood Mountain.

Delta said she was in the zone. Nicole and Josh stayed at Neels Gap as well. Nicole has beautiful hair. It’s all curly and long, just beautiful.

It was overcast all day, there was just a little sunshine here and there. The birds didn’t sing.

I stumbled and tripped, and caught my toe. I almost took a header over the side twice. I went from 3000 ft., to 4000 ft., back down to 3500 ft., and up to 4000 ft. again. I’m now staying at Whitley Gap shelter. It was a long day.

The mile and a half to the shelter was really quite lovely, with purple azaleas and mountain laurel. I would have taken pictures, but I was pooped.

Booger Bob, Salesman Adam and Jeff all showed up at Neels Gap before I left. They were going to town to get food and alcohol. They asked me to go, but I’ve already done that. This is a new adventure.

I called my friend CJ and talked for quite a while. We worked together at the P.O. and became friends.

We’d done a little ‘hiking’ at Little Blue Trace in Independence, MO. I wanted her to know the peace that comes from the A.T., the stress relief, and the sense of accomplishment- even if you only hike shelter to shelter. 

Day Seven

I saw some hunters with blood hounds on the trail today. The dogs wore radio collars. They hunt the bears, but they don’t shoot them. There’s a name for it, but I don’t remember what they call it. Really, why would you hunt bears but not shoot them? Are you just offering up dogs as chewy bear treats?

On the trail… I only had 5 miles to go today. To just be able to walk through the woods without a care in the world. Because it is so dark in some places, I kept thinking “Lions and tigers and bears- Oh my!”

The Wizard of Oz is my favorite film of all time. Momma said I modeled my life after that storyline. I think I’ve grown up since then, though. I met three men from Georgia, hiking through Georgia. The younger one was teaching the other two about hiking. I told them I would mention them in my blog because They were “Stud Muffins”. You know who you are.

The trail leads through Woody Gap and over Blood Mountain. The bears are kind of aggressive on Blood Mountain and it is a hard hike. I decided not to hike that part so I stopped at Woody Gap and caught a ride with a couple and their German Sheppard, Katie. They had just finished a day hike. They drove me all the way to Neels Gap, 10 miles down the road. I am staying at a hostel here. I bought a one man tent, took a shower, did laundry and I’m gonna ship home some unneeded stuff. I couldn’t believe all the peole who made it over Blood Mountain today!

Gooch Mountain

I was getting really close to Gooch Mountain shelter when who do I see but Booger Bob! Bless his heart, he came to meet me. He said he was starting to get worried about me and he kept asking everyone if they’d seen me. Of course they had- they’d all passed me!

When I got to the shelter, I had to pull my tent out and try to get it dry. Today was the first day it didn’t rain. My tent was a mess. 

Delta Dawn and Jeff stayed at the shelter too. She’s a nurse and he’s a nice guy. 

 They had told me that they were #1136 & #1137 on the ‘through’ hiker log for this year. That’s amazing!

It had gotten cold, so Bob got a fire going. Jeff had a guitar, of all things, and played it into the night. I rubbed Delta’s shoulders, so she gave me a Cadbury Caramel egg. Will work for chocolate! Then I traded a pack of Ramen noodles for a cigarette. There was so much trading and swapping going on around that fire, you’d have thought it was a white elephant party!

I slept well that night.

Day Six

This was the hardest day so far. 

All my stuff was still wet, but Adam “salesman” said he thought my pack was only 35 lbs. He bought all MSR brand equipment and that’s all he can talk about. And talk and talk and talk.

A little way down the trail I saw a beautiful view. I took off my pack and I was standing there, admiring nature in all her glory, when Chris and these two 70 year old gentlemen came by. They had stayed at Hawk Mountain shelter with us the night before. When I asked if they wanted to sign the register, one of them said, “No, there are too many people looking for us.” Nice. While they were at the stream getting water, I mentioned to Booger Bob (trail name) that I thought they were brothers. He told me I was right.

Anyway, 22 yr old Chris took my picture. He said he thought I looked cute (That’s a first) and he was going to post it on my blog. I also learned how Chris got his trail name, “Sticks”. He grinned really big and told me that when he started the trail, he hadn’t purchased trekking poles. He made use of the local sticks on the trail along the way. And Sticks stuck. 

I saw so much along the way today, especially because I had to stop so often. It was a hard trail. I saw tiny little yellow flowers in bunches and mushrooms. Lots of mushrooms. They were growing out of the tree above my head. They were white and the sun was shining in such a way that they looked paper thin. There were little purple flowers, too.

I saw a dark grey fat centipede that was about 4 inches long. I’ve also seen a couple of black centipedes with bright yellow spikes. Little punks.

Further down the trail, there was something flitting around along the path. I stopped and looked closely for the source of said flitting. They were tiny 1 inch tall grasshoppers and there were about 20 of them jumping out of the pathway as if to say “This way, Tripper!”, “Follow me!” They hopped in front of me for a good ten feet and then they disappeared. At least I know I can hike longer than they can.

I met a nice couple of kids, (I’m older than everyone by 30 years, so I can say that) Nicole and Josh, who said they would read my blog and send me words of encouragement. Everyone seemed to pass me. It took me 8 hours to go 6 miles. It was a really rough day, but I made it.

Day Five

 It rained so I stayed at Hawk Mountain Shelter another night.

Day Four cont'd

Hiked along streams all day.

In some places it was like walking through a garden path, just lovely.

Picture of the day

Bob & Bear

One of my fellow hikers, Bob (trail name) said he hiked that non trail for about 2 miles and finally said “WTF? Did you run out of white paint???”

Bob plans on going 16 miles tomorrow, and I have no doubt he will, too. I’m just going to the next shelter, 7 miles.

Bear (trail name) is also quite the hiker, but he has hiked up and down the trail instead of straight through. He’s what is called a sectional hiker. He explained to us that when you hike to Katahdin, you have to ‘boulder scramble’.  He showed me pictures where the blazes are painted on the rocks. I figure I’ll just have to stand at the bottom and pitch Bub’s rock as hard as I can. Bear assured me that by the time I get to Maine, I’ll be strong and able to scramble up those boulders. Bear even walked me to the trail. Boy was Bob wrong! I easily saw white markers all around. In Bob’s defense, he said he was stoned while hiking. What can you say?

The camaraderie back at the shelter was really fun and informative. Adam even rolled a joint. Okay… so I took a puff or two. So much for the mature older woman persona.  It wasn’t very good shit, but the boys seemed to enjoy it.

Knife’s edge

We’ve had lots of visitors today. Geezer and Kaleigh- he said it means ‘hiking pole’. (Somebody look it up, please)

I was traveling so slow that the guy with arthritis and asthma passed me TWICE! Bob just confessed that he is carrying corduroy pants. We all laughed at that.

I am now wearing all the extra clothes I was going to mail home…  I think I’ve finally gotten warm. Taking off my Big Dick’s cap and switching it for my Alaska hat with the flaps made all the difference.

Well I just found out that the dramatic ending to this Appalachian Trail is called The Knife’s Edge. Knife’s Edge is a 3 foot wide rocky something or other with a drop off on either side.  It involves a mountain scaling thing that you have to climb up a metal ladder, etc. I’m not a mountain climber, heck, I’m not even a hiker so I’ll save the drama for someone else.

My plan is to get to Gooch Mountain shelter tomorrow (7 miles), then to Woody Gap at GA 60, the day after (5 miles).  I will catch a ride there and then go to Neels Gap. Apparently the bears are aggressive between those two points over Blood Mountain. Perhaps that is how Blood Mountain got its name. These bears have been known to steal your food if it is not in a bear canister, and THEN they try to hard sell you a bear canister. Even after they’ve stolen your food! Now that IS aggressive. Neels Gap is where the trail goes right through the town. I can mail home my extra stuff, sell, trade or mail home that effing tent. I am also planning to spend the night and wash my clothes and body. That’s the group plan. 

Equipment thoughts

I really didn’t want to know how much my pack weighed, which is why I didn’t weigh it back at Amicolola Falls. Well yesterday I stopped at a little falls and a man asked me how much my pack weighed. Apparently this is a big deal on the trail. Everyone knows how much their pack weighs and they all want to know how much YOUR pack weighs. Geez. Then they all like to compare equipment.  Most men like to think their equipment is the biggest- but not on the trail. Everything is small, compact and lightweight. Go figure.

So far, I have been the only woman on the trail, such an empowering feeling. I feel so brave. I AM a bad ass!

Missing my pups

Two people came by just now with Boston Terriers. They are black with white faces and they are too cute. Their owner dried them off and now they are eating. Such good puppies. They make me miss my puppies, Pixie and Nigel. Pixie is a blonde Pomeranian who not only thinks she runs the show, but actually does. Nigel is a 17 yr old Dachshund; black, brown and grey. He is grey all over his face, paws and legs. He’s got cataracts and selective hearing. He prefers to sleep with a blanket.

Day Four

Stayed at Springer Mountain shelter last night. It was a quite a storm.

Rain or mice?

 Rain or mice?

I took the mice because everything is still wet, but luckily we didn’t see any mice.

Today’s nature inventory:

A tree with bright orange flowers.

Mushrooms with mauve tops.  (editor’s note: Sure they were mauve, Tripper…)

A 2 ½ inch salamander in a very pretty shade of orange

I saw hundreds of little white flowers all over the ground, as well a a bunch of white flowers that were the size of quarters.

I passed through a tropical style area where the flowers looked like they came off a tulip tree. They had yellow leaves with orange centers with a dab of light green in the center. They reminded me of my dad’s tulip tree when we were growing up.

I also saw leaves with little spots on them. The spots were dark pink edged with light pink centers. There are all kinds of rocks; agates to quartz to fools’ gold.

I stopped by to see Long Creek Falls. This guy at the falls asked me if he could lift my pack, I said ‘Sure’. After he lifted it, he turned to his wife and said “About 60 lbs.” I did NOT want to know how much it weighed! Those three miles to this shelter were hell! All I could think about was how heavy my pack is. And everything is heavier when it is wet. I kept thinking about all the things I’m gonna ship back to Lyle when I get to Neel’s Gap; 2 hats, sunglasses, extra shoes, clothes, all those pairs of little white socks that I used to wipe out my tent. Oh yeah, and that stinkin’ two man tent that Bub wanted me to buy. I’m either going to mail it home or trade it.

Later, I made it to Hawk Mountain shelter. Me and five guys. They were setting up for a campfire. YES!

I had hiked 7.5 miles today, and that was enough. The sun is going down and it is getting cold.

Note to hikers: Buy your boots ½ size larger to avoid ‘boot bump’ and get those boots sealed against water! Be sure to purchase a pack cover for your back pack- and pack LIGHT!

Picture of the day

Day two

Sitting here at Black Gap, letting everything dry out. It rained like the sky was falling. I should have stayed in the lodge with Jerry, Chris and the mouse, but noooo, I had to stay in my tent!
When I woke up, everything was nearly floating around the tent.
Jerry & Chris saw those two Scottish guys too, and we were all wondering how they fared in the rain. I know the wool on their kilts and sashes doesn't hold water very well. Those boys must be eating bugs and drinking out of streams. Wouldn't you get chafed, hiking around in a skirt? Anyhoo, they said they were heading to Maine, cool.
I made it to the trail head, but not before I tried to take my tent down. It poured again and it was a mess!
I took off again about 12:20 p.m.
*Thank you, Cheri, for the frogger gear! She's my step kid, friend and a lifesaver.

Later, I met White Socks and Juniper (trail names) at the trail head, then met up with them again at Springer Mountain shelter. They took off in the rain, but then Grizzly Adams and Bob Gomer came to stay the night. Bob even gave me a cig!

Day one continued

About the time I was finishing my evening noodles, these two men were asking Ely if they could camp nearby. Ely was sending them on. Well, they looked pretty bad, worn out, so I told them they could camp by me. We camped about 30 yards away from Ely. The son, Jamin, invited me to come have a camp fire with them. Being a sucker for wood on fire, I quickly accepted their offer. While they set up camp, I gathered fire wood. The father, Jerris, told me his wife dropped them off at Amicalola Falls as well, pre stairs. They discovered that they'd packed too much when they took the stairs. They said the stairs nearly killed them too. My brothers in ignorance! 30 year old Jamin explained to me that B6 is for carpal tunnel syndrome, Folic Acid is for restless leg syndrome (I thought hiking cured that), and vitamin B7 cures cancer. Okay.
 We enjoyed a nice fire- but sadly, no beer. I smoked my last cigarette, gonna need to roll some hipster day hikers for a pack. We told ghost stories until the Super moon came up and we just watched it rise into the sky. Wow, better then television. Unfortunately, Ely did not join us.

Day two: Jerris and Jamin got a head start before I got up. Jamin even went down and brought me water before they left. I burned the plastic cap off the bottom of my stove, and then I made coffee.
It had gotten cold last night. The guys had set up hammocks to sleep in, but they didn't get much sleep because it was too cold. Jamin said he could hear me snore, but I'm pretty sure he was lying.

Later that morning, it didn't take me long to catch up to them. According to Jerris, Jamin was being a 'Sally' and wanted to call his mom to come pick them up already. I have to credit my niece Amy with that 'Sally' line. She's been saying that for years. Specifically, Jamin was being a 'sissy crybaby Sally'. Mom wasn't coming. She just got rid of them!
Before I ended up leaving those boys in the dust, I showed them where we were and tried to bolster their spirits. They still haven't caught up to me.
I am inching slowly toward my goal. Hike 30 feet, stop and rest, 30 more feet, stop and rest. I get a sense of personal satisfaction every time I reach my goal.

*Note to hikers- Definitely fill up with water at the foot bridge. I haven't seen any water on the trail the far. Oh, and have your ride drop you off at the TOP of Amicalola Falls. Those stairs really ARE killers.

Later in the day, two 20 something Scotsmen passed me on the trail. Kilts, rope sandals and bright scarlet bags slung over their shoulders. They weren't wearing any shirts. They probably couldn't afford shirts. That was unfortunate. :)

I didn't think I'd make it to the trail head today, I was just looking for a place to camp. This man came by, said 'hi', then came back to tell me that a shelter and water were a little further ahead. So I drug my tent down there and there's a privy! It is called Black Gap shelter and guess what? The trailhead is 1.5 miles ahead!!!
*Note to hikers- I did pass water and it is at Black Gap.

Tripper's travel bible

-I shall not should on myself
-You gotta ‘hike your own hike”

Tripperisms

1. I don't mind the smell of skunk. I don't get what all the stink is about!
2. You can't make Maine if you don't hike in the rain!
3. Turtled: It is a technical term for when you sit down to put your pack on and it pulls you backward onto your back. As in: I have been turtled twice.

Day one

Day one:
I forgot to get writing paper, so my brother in law provided some for me- won't fit in my bag.
 To make matters worse, he spilled coffee on me while we were driving to the drop off spot. One last attempt to keep me from my mission, I suppose. Unfortunately for him, I like the smell of coffee.

We met up with my niece, Amy.
 She brought me to Amicalola Falls, which is a hike in spot to the trail head. This will be good practice.
Once I checked in with the park guide, I was told that I would need to hike the 600 stairs to the top to pick up my trail. I did NOT get that memo.
http://www.takemytrip.com/06appalachian/06_01a.htm

As I was saying good-bye to Amy, I cavalierly threw my pack onto my back and stumbled backward a slight bit. I tried to play it off, but Amy witnessed the stumble and promptly threatened to throw me and my pack back into her car and drive our butts back to Atlanta to wait for Lyle to pick us up in two weeks.
Uh, no thanks.
And off we go!

Those stairs just about killed me. About two miles in, I set up camp and took a lovely two hour nap.
First commandment from Tripper's travel bible:
 I shall not should on myself.
Take from it what you will.

I met 35-40 new people today, all of them nice. That is reassuring.

I ended up camping next to Ely from New Mexico. Thank you, Ely, for the warnings, information and the company.
I hope to make it to the trailhead tomorrow, if not, oh well. I've got a little down time. No deadlines.
Ely told me to come over tonight if I get scared, lol!
I'm just looking forward to the Super Moon tonight. What a wonderful way to start off this adventure!