Woody gap to Neel gap

Showered and happy! And just heard that Duke lost. It's a good day! Camped last night with dragon lady, J5 and Captain Jake. ( still getting used to this trail name gig)  hiked over Blood Mointain  today. Staying in the blood mountain cabins and got clean me and laundry and am sipping on a diet coke. Awwww. I think we are going to take the shuttle into town for some real food and beer tonight. Got SO lucky because our cabin has satellite tv and it's almost game time. Did I mention that it's a huge 5" screen? 

Pics are of our bear bags hanging with our food. After I climbed into my bag for the night, I remembered I had a half snickers in my pack. I was pretty sure I'd be eaten by a bear during the night but was too tired to do anything about it. Somehow I miraculously survived :)

The other pic is of the Blood Mountain Shelter. Pretty cool! It's the oldest shelter along the AT. Game time! Gotta go. Rock Chalk!!

Hawk mountain to woody gap

Great weather today!! Ended up going a few miles further than I had planned because I felt good and it was so nice. Tomorrow into Neel Gap where there are showers, beds, laundry and beer, diet coke and food that is not dehydrated or prepackaged in 1973.

My body is feeling pretty good surprisingly! Feeling lucky that my pack is comfortable. Comfortable being a relative term. Not comfy like a heavenly bed at the Westin, but comfy enough that I can get up tomorrow morning, put it on and hike some more 😜 and more.!

Sun just dropped behind a mountain so it's getting chilly. Up to the fire with some folks from New Jersey and West Virginia and then to bed at the geriatric hour of probably 7:30 or 8 if I'm feeling really crazy.

Springer Mountain to Hawk Mountain

And the walking begins!!! Stayed at the Hiker Hostel last night, ate a bunch of pancakes for breakfast and got to Springer Mountain at about 9:30. Can't believe I'm finally here! It was supposed to be sunny here today, but unless sunny means drizzly and foggy in Georgia, it wasn't. Great temp for hiking though and lots of cool people. Got to Hawk Mountain shelter at about 2:15. I'm opting for my tent. Set it up near the shelter, but got a little privacy(and distance from the snorers) and I think it will be warmer. More later!! 

GO TIME

Kansas. >  Georgia. >. Maine.    

Carly

So, tomorrow I leave for Atlanta to begin my big journey, but honestly, it isn't foremost on my mind right now. My heart and thoughts are with my cousin, Susie and her family, Randy, Elliot, Olivia and of course, Carly. Two years ago, Carly was diagnosed with cancer at the way-too-young age of 16. The last two years have been filled with surgeries and treatments and through it all, Carly continued to live the life she wanted to live. Surgery one week, back on the basketball court the next. This year, she went to KState, went through rush, made new friends and cheered on her beloved Wildcats. Beyond sadly, Carly passed away last Friday night peacefully, surrounded by her incredible family. We all wonder why these things happen. It just doesn't seem right. But if we could all live our lives the way Carly lived hers, the world would be a much better place. She had such a positive impact on so many people, just by living with strength and courage and faith. We should all strive to be a positive force in the lives that we touch and  not be afraid to live the life we want to live. Ok. Off the soapbox and on to the trail. 

           

Random thoughts...

I liked this quote that my Uncle Sam sent me upon hearing about my hike. He said, "that like Henry David Thoreau, 'you hear a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."  Pretty cool.

Another family member said, " Joanne is the hippie of the family." I took that as a compliment....after all....I live in Lawrence!  Adam Renfro.... Does that sound familiar?

Lucky Me

Got together with friends and family last night for a big farewell shindig. I am sad to be leaving all these people but happy that I will have them to come home to. So much fun and the conversation was off the charts hilarious as the drinks flowed.  Thanks to all my friends and family for being excited for me and supporting me. I knew I was going to do it either way, but it has made it much more fun to prepare with them behind me.  And not telling me I was crazy! (at least not to my face :)