Rob's Journal entries from 4/25 to 4/29

Friday March 25th, 2014 7:30pm 4532' 61° Tray Mountain Shelter
Great sleep at the Budget Inn last night. Late start on the trail (noon); more trail magic at the Gap that we started from. This guy broughta huge box of chocolate, snacks, etc. Packages of toilet paper. The good people and hospitality had been incredible. Only banged out 6 miles today in about 4.5 hours, 2 huge climbs, 800ft and 1300ft and a big descent. Will make up time in the next few days. Anxiously awaiting Franklin, NC as we found out there are some good craft beer spots; I'll practically be running the next few days to get there. Alas it is still 50 miles away probably looking at 4 days. Supposed to be chilly tonight with a low of 35°.

Saturday April 26th, 2014 8pm 74° 3176' Random campsite past deep Gap shelter.   Up early and started hiking a little before 9am. Wildberry pop tarts and bacon! For breakfast. Some good ups and downs today but managed to squeak out 13.5 miles by 5:30pm. Feet are a little sore and have a little heat rash. It was a warm one today and things were hot, sweaty and sticky. Hung the bear bag tonight and kinda more worried about the damn squirrels running around outside the tent. 3 more 12 mile days and we should be in Franklin on the morning of the 4th day. Looking forward to some good beer and a buffet. Tomorrow we will cross our first state line as we leave Georgia and enter North Carolina. Only a low of 50° tonight. Looking forward to some good sleep.

Sunday April 27th, 2014 8pm 65° 4580' Muskrat Creek shelter, North Carolina
Yay! Or first border crossing, we said good bye to Georgia today and hello to North Carolina. Gonna miss Georgia though the people were very nice and we received trail magic almost every day. Rough day today on the ups and downs, as usual, but north Carolina seems to stay above 4000' with very few large elevation gains or losses. So a big thank you to Georgia for getting out legs and lungs trail ready. It's beginning to rain now as we are tucked away in the tent, it will be the first "wet test" for the tent. Supposed to be scattered storms hopefully not lasting too long, I'd like to pack up a dry tent in the morning and have all out laundry that is hanging to dry. 2 more days to Franklin, if the rain holds off tonight.

Monday April 28th, 2014 8pm 63° 4520' Carter Gap shelter, NC
So it rained for a couple of hours while we were trying to get to sleep and again later at night and also in the early morning. So needless to say the laundry we did was speaking wet still in the morning. Bit the rain stopped and we got up and got to work and then with a slightly damp shirt and pants we hot the trail for a 12.5 mile day. Not a bad hike at all the uphill was gradual and there were long downhill sections that eye gradual as well. So with a late (10:30) start we were still able to bang out 12.5 miles in a little over 7 hours. Kat is still leading and setting the pace she gets stronger and a little faster everyday. 12.1 miles tomorrow and then into Franklin the next day for resupply, buffet and beer.

Tuesday April 29 th, 2014 5:30pm 4396' 65° Long Branch Shelter, NC
We braved the perfect storm last night in our little light weight 2 person tent. 50mph winds, thunder and lightening, buckets of rain. The rain was flying sideways and and we were taking on water, we were able to keep our down sleeping bag dry but not much else. It lasted from 9:50pm till 6:30am, hardly any sleep was had. O climbed out of the tent at 8am, we dragged all of our equipment into the shelter, packed up and headed out. The tent was wet and really dirty... Threw it in a garbage bag to deal with when we get to town tomorrow. We managed to make it 8 miles to the next shelter. An easy 4 miles in the morning to the pick up point to get to town, a Mexican buffet, craft beer and a motel room. The hike was fairly easy today except for a hair raising climb up to an old fire tower, Kat slipped and fell but no injuries, she was ok.



The view from just below the fire tower

Long Branch shelter built in 2012 

Food, storms, and Franklin, NC

Food! No matter which way you slice it, when your on the AT, it's all dry or needs to be reconstituted with water. Whether you've thought ahead and dehydrated yourself gourmet meals or didn't want the hassle and just picking stuff up along the way, your options are still kinda limited. So as you're hiking 8 to 10 hour days, your mind kinda wanders, which is why most of hikers' conversations are about food. What you're craving, what you miss the most, what you'd sacrifice a small child for, etc. So a few days ago when Rob was talking about an all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet in Franklin, for 4 days, all I could think about was burritos and tacos..

Now to the storm. For anyone watching the weather channel, yes there were horrible thunderstorms. And yes, we got caught in the worst one. Many of us did. But yep there were me and Rob at 10:30 at night hearing the crack of thunder and seeing the lightening and hoping this would be like the other storm we encountered (it rained for 15 minutes then quit). We checked weather.com, we knew to expect rain, we just didn't know the actual type of storms that were going on. So yeah 50 mile an hour winds, sideways pouring rain and thunder and lightening above our heads, not exactly the best time we've ever had. Our little tent was not built for that kind of weather.

So to ride out the rest of the storm and to resupply, we came to Franklin, NC. The owner of the budget inn here and in Haiawassee, GA picked us up and shuttled us to the hotel. Where we did laundry, took much needed showers and looked over the food options. After talks of craft beer and burritos we headed to a Mexican restaurant. Sadly, the food was kinda bland but served its purpose. Rob ate at McDonald's. And then (with the recommendation of Brave, and seeing they had craft beer) off to Outdoor 76, a local AT outfitter. There's actually a little craft beer bar inside the store!!

 The staff there was so amazing and helpful! After a quick trip to Walmart to resupply or food stocks and a gratuitous spraying down of the tent (so filthy from the storm), we were ready for dinner. There is a place here called Vito's. It's a pizza place that advertised that it would come pick us up from the Inn and bring us back when we were done with dinner. We had delightful pizza made by Miss Jane (Vito's wife) and were entertained by our server/bartender Debbie and even Vito himself! Many laughs were had and Rob even got a couple of craft beers he hadn't had. After a shot with Debbie after dinner, Vito drove us back to our room! Truly one of my favorite spots so far.

The southern hospitality and the people we have met so far on this journey have been amazing!

Us crossing the border in North Carolina

Quick entry.. gotta save battery life.

So today we're at almost 72 miles!! Just 8 more till North Carolina!

Today was rough! We have 3 more days in the wild until we reach Franklin, NC! There is a promise of craft beer there so I have to keep Rob from running! (Bonus, it's right next to Outdoor 76!! Thanks for the suggestion Brave!! I'm going to go see them too).

Thank you so much for the support, comments,  and well wishes! We appreciate it so much!! Catch you all up in North Carolina!!

55 miles down 2,132 more to go!

For everyone reading, I'm icing, elevating and resting my knee when I can. I bought a moderate compression brace at Mountain Crossings and it's helped so very much! This girl is not going home!!

Yesterday we stayed at Low Gap and scored a beautiful campsite next to a little creek. After a little clean up and doing the laundry in the creek, you actually feel like normal. Unfortunately, we both forgot today's map was in the pocket of Rob's shirt.. Oops. It was kind like following a beat up pirate map all day. It was 43 last night so we got a bit of a late start cause we were waiting for it to warm up.

Today started windy and chilly but after another rocky 10 miles, we made it to Hiawassee, GA. After a delightful all you can eat buffet of fried chicken, BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, corn and fried okra, we did some restocking of our food bags and headed back to our room.

This Trail is by no means a dirt walk through the mountains. There's steep ups and wicked downs. Sections go through what's called the green tunnel where the foliage grows into an almost hallway shape and it makes the warm weather cooler. Others are nothing but rocks which need to be precariously navigated.

We saw some more Trail magic today. Just 2 shoe boxes filled to the brim with all sorts of stuff. The first box we opened had a package of caramel delights in it. Yep.. Those went with us. The fact that people do this so regularly moves me to tears. I'm so in awe of the love given to the hikers. Even to hear the other day that the reason that husband and wife team make dinner for the hikers is because they love seeing their faces light up at the sight of real food. I can't even think of the right word to describe my feeling because of the intensity of it and the overwhelming gratitude that goes with it.

It's such an amazing Trail and experience and we're both so very happy to be out here. Almost every day we joke that no matter how bad the terrain, at least it's better than the bus ride..

without further ado... pictures!!!

The fabulous Hiker Hostel! We were so spoiled here. No other has lived up to the standards this place set! Best place in Georgia!

So amazing, obviously, I bought a patch for my backpack!

Our feet at the first white blaze. These are put on trees and rocks as markers to let you know your still on the AT. Some guy counted then and there's over 80,000 on the trail. 

The Appalachian Trail plaque at the top of Springer Mountain. The starting point for NOBO hikers! 

A creek we stopped at to get water and use our fancy magic sterilizing water. 

This is a tree outside the Mountain crossing Hostel/outfitter. Those are hiking boots and shoes in all the branches. And there were more inside the store. Cool place! Not such a great Hostel. But this was where we got our first homecooked meal! 

The fact that we saw this, in Georgia, was picture worthy! 

This and the next 2 are from the top of one of the mountains we climbed! 

Fun picture of Rob after he took a bunch of pictures of the view. 

This was our campsite last night at Low Gap. Right next to the creek. 

Amazing example of Trail Angels/Trail Magic. These were just sitting on the sign for Unicoi Gap. Left by a local church group. Other items include carmex, tissues, food, candy, etc. It's really heartwarming and awe inspiring when people do this. It's things like this that start to restore my faith in humanity. 

Day 3.. 32.6 miles down

Night 1 - we stayed in Cooper Gap where a wonderful Trail Angel left 4 gallons of water on the trail. I'd been having some knee issues and we were glad to have the trail magic so we didn't have to hike another 3 miles over rough terrain.

Day 2 - After a breakfast of ramen because of the 52 degree weather, we were off towards Woody Gap in search of a ride and a stay at a Hostel. While on our way, we met a few colorful characters. We met Papa C, an older guy who hikes all over Tuscon and refers to the trail as "senseless ups and downs". We meet another kid with red dreads in jeans and cowboy boots. Everyone keeps calling him '6 dollars' on account of he started the trail with only 6$ in his pocket and is relying on the kindness of Trail angels and hiker boxes. The last colorful character we met was a guy called 'Bear Grillis' (some guy couldn't pronounce the name on all of his stuff so this is what he called him) on account of that he bought 700$ worth of Bear Grylls stuff from WalMart. Only in books have we read of  people who bring a machete on the trail. This guy had one worthy of zombie hunting from the walking dead. It had to have been 8lbs alone!! We hiked on and called a gentleman to take us to local Suches for a place to stay. Which also happened to be one of those little general stores you always hear about where people still run tabs and everyone knows everyone. We got pizza and someone left a beer in the fridge which we helped ourselves to.

Day 3 - Today was a rough day. My knee was still acting a little wonky and we had the highest point in Georgia to climb, Blood Mountain (ominous right?!?!). Between Woody Gap and the top of Blood Mountain we were gaining over 2200ft of elevation. 1400 of it was over 2 miles. Did I mention it started to rain?? But we made it. My knee was pissed on the 700 ft 2.4 mile walk down. The Blood Mountain shelter was super cool to see. If we would have had a bear canister, we would have camped there. But them damn bears are too smart! Now we are nestled in to the Mountain crossing Hostel where we were treated to a real home cooked meal. Apparently folks from the local church do this for the hikers. It was pretty funny, I came down the path and in a door looking for the Hostel (Rob was watching our packs) and walked into a room of people. 2 of which just yelled 'food' and pointed to the direction. I dropped my stuff and went to get Rob! I never thought the sight of homemade Mac n Cheese and fresh salad could move me to tears.

We've been so fortunate! Trail angels and Trail magic all days we've been out here! Well, tomorrow we press on and have 2 days of camping before we make it to another town. Keep your fingers crossed and send positive thoughts for my knee. Cause I'm damn sure not ready to go home!

And we're off!!!

After finally pulling into Gainesville yesterday we were met by our wonderful host from the Hiker Hostel, Derrick. After a brief stop to pick up another hiker, Sarah and her sweet dog, Brai, we were on our way to the Hostel.
The Hiker Hostel is nestled on a highway behind multiple vineyards (apparently there's a type of grape up here that grows like crazy). We were greeted by the welcoming committee (Maggie the chow/lab and Cane a pit/boxer). We took 3 delightful showers.. (Needed to get the bus funk OFF!!). We went into town (Dahlonega) and ate food overlooking the historic town square.
We had a wonderful much needed sleep (where all parts of the body got to be horizontal instead of picking and choosing from the bus ride). In the morning we were treated to a wonderful home cooked French toast breakfast by Lee and Shannon.

We are on our way to Springer Mountain to get this sucker started.

Thank you Derrick, Lee, Shannon, Maggie, and Cane for your hospitality and wonderful Hostel (we missed Josh and Willie).

Rob and Kat signing off and we're adopting our trail names Jet Power and Radio Flyer.

Adventures in Greyhounding day 2

Automotive Log number 3 dash 2 zero point 1 9 2
(and yes that is supposed to be read with a Shatner/Captain Kirk voice)

We have been on the bus about 32 hours now.

In Denver we lost cranky grandma next to me. (Her even pissier daughter who was sitting 3 rows up came to get her and reached over me as if I had a case of oozing necrotizing warts or something) But at least that meant Rob got to leave coma guy and sit next to me! Yay!

We (thankfully) lost Eminem and Kim. They continued to argue and for about a half hour, we got to watch them go to the bathroom on board one after another.. And then "Kim's" speech got more and more slurred as she kept stumbling to and from the onboard port o potty.

The ticking time bomb apparently made it to his other destination. But not before he had a fit when the driver said we were running a half hour late. Then the driver decided to cut one of our breaks short (in order to make up some time) and this threw Time Bomb into another seemingly Tourettes-like fit of colorful expletives.

We moved to another bus completely in Denver where we each got to have 2 seats to ourselves to thankfully sprawl out a bit and try to sleep. On the new bus we were joined by the crazy cat people. Who are remaining remarkably silent.
Aaaaand Pigpen.

Pigpen is proving to be quite the source of entertainment on this venture! So if you remember last, he was filling up on food. At one particular truck stop, he got 3 pieces of fried chicken and 2 tamales. He's always the first one off the bus when we stop for even a few minutes.
We stupid somewhere and Rob went in the use the restroom, he saw a line and Pigpen's jacket on the floor in one of the stalls. Rob left and came back a little later to find 1 kid and 1 open stall. He asked if the kid was waiting. He said yeah but he'd wait for the next one. Rob was more than welcome to use the open stall but he suggested Rob hold his breath while he was in there.

About 9 last night we stopped for a half hour meal break. Sure as anything, when it was time to board the bus, here comes Pigpen with his plastic bag full of food. I forget sometimes that for bigger orders, McDonald's gives out plastic bags.. And this one was pretty full..

So at about 5am (after multiple short stops and a half hour break to get a new driver) the driver says we are stopping for 5 min to let someone on. It's not an off bus break.
So sure enough, the bus stops and Pigpen races to the front of the bus and tries to get off. The bus driver tells him to go back to his seat. Pigpen says that he needs to use the bathroom. Driver says there's one on the bus. Pigpen says he can't use it. 'Why not?' Pigpen says 'aneemawls' (animals) by now Rob and I are giggling.
Driver says get back in his seat and he'll check out the bathroom. Pigpen starts asking how long? He's been on this bus for 48 hours and he needs to go to the bathroom. The driver can't even answer before he's asking again about how long. Driver keeps telling him to use the one on board. What's wrong with the one on board. Pigpen's answer is still the same 'aneemawls'.. Now they're arguing back and forth. Maybe it's because we were delirious with exhaustion or you just have to be here. It's pretty funny to watch.

Now we have us a super sassy no-nonsense lady driver.. We're on pins and needles to see if pigpen tries to get into it with her. And from what I've heard, he's going all the way to Atlanta like us.

***update*** We had a blissful 5 hour layover in St. Louis with a walk around downtown and found this awesome tap room. We got to have a couple beers and walk in the sun. It was a good day! Oh and with that being said, we did not reconnect with any of our 'characters' from earlier..

Adventures in Greyhounding

I'm positive that the Greyhound bus system is Purgatory. It is full of wildly colorful characters that at first made me feel as if my head were going to explode,  but now I regard as comedy of errors of the most Shakespearian kind!!

Rob and I were not able to get 2 seats together so I am sitting behind him next to a little old lady with a pillow the size of her, a blanket and a large bag full of stuff that she always seems to need to rearrange before she sits down. She seems very put out that I have to sit next to her.

The guy next to Rob, I'm not sure is alive half the time until he awakes from his seemingly coma-induced slumber.

The younger couple in front of Rob have arguments rivaling Eminem and his ex wife. The only time they are not fighting is when they are thankfully sleep.

The one older gentleman across from me treats every rest stop as if it is the last place he will ever get food. He boards the bus with a mountain of truck stop/convenience store faire only to devour it all and throw the trash under his seat. Right before our stop in Grand Junction, he kept walking up to the driver, hitting everyone with whatever items are in the pockets of his voluminous coast. Rob keeps referring to him as Pigpen.

There is another young couple a few rows back. The girl speaks very loudly and some of her statements are a tad mind numbing. They are traveling with a pet cat who I haven't heard a sound out of for hours. I try not to think too much on it because it makes me too upset.

And then there's the disgruntled character at the back of the bus. Yes or bus is running late. Yes we all have places to be or connecting buses to get to.. But for this guy, it's rivaling an all, but Red Cross disaster that he may not get to where he's going on time. When we were at a stop in Grand Junction, you could hear him pontificating with the broad 4-lettered word vocabulary of an angry sailor who's just been denied leave from the boat.  Even better, he's just approached the bus driver again and is not thrilled with the driver's answer of that he can not give him a to-the-second time of our arrival.. More cultured expletives... 

Candi - yes I hear you in my head 'some people's kids, man..'
Dewey - I can already hear you giggling..

All of this is punctuated by the delightful scents of human excrement whenever someone uses the on board restroom.

This is most definitely a good start to our adventure! There's nothing quite like a 40 hour bus ride to make you want to hit the wilderness trail away from 'civilization'.

Wait... We're doing what??

So it dawned on me yesterday that not everyone knows what the Appalachian Trail is and even those who have heard of it might not know what it entails..

The Appalachian Trail (or simply just the AT) is a married hiking trail that spans from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.
The precise length of the trail changes over time as trails are modified or rerouted. The total length is approximately 2,200 miles (3,500 km). The trail passes through 14 states Georgia, north Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and finally Maine.
The first documented thru hike (hiking from one end to the other) was in 1968 and the trail has been used since then.
It is maintained by 31 trail clubs and multiple partnerships, and managed by the National park service and the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The majority of the trail is in wilderness, although some portions traverse towns, roads and cross rivers.

We are backpacking the entire length of the trail. Yes, on foot. We will pass by streams, creeks, and rivers so we will be able to get water from there. We have a sterilizing light pen (magic wand) for purifying the water. We pass by and through towns so frequently that we only need to carry 3 to 4 days worth of food at a time. And since most of the AT goes through state parks we can't fish or hunt.

Vocabulary

AT - the Appalachian trail
Thru hiker - someone who hikes the entire length of the trail
NOBO - hiking the trail from Georgia to Maine
SOBO - hiking from Maine down to Georgia
Trail Magic - something delightful and unexpected on the trail. Some people have been known to leave a cooler full of beer or sodas on the trail for anyone to help themselves. Or give assistance to thru hikers. And other things like that.

And to those of you that know us, of course we will not be without craft beer for 5 months. We bought this amazing Trail guide that has locations of everything (laundromats, hostels, hotels, which ones have wi-fi, restaurants, and yes even breweries) down to the tenth of a mile. So don't you worry your pretty little heads.. We've got it covered..

Coachella pictures (in no chronological order)

Lucient Dossier experience aerialist (cool band/art installation with music, costumes and dancing)

Sunset over the last evening. The Light Wave Project

Bacon Fat fries. Fries cooked in bacon fat tipped with bacon, arugula, and a maple syrup vinegar.
 

Sunset over the Ferris wheel

Coachella (main) stage. 

First morning beer of the first day of Coachella.

Hot, sweaty, and very bright! 

That's what Rob thinks of the heat.

Chillin (as much as possible in 90 deg.) Next to our neighbor's awesome teepee.

Happy glittery Coachella bracelet snail. 

The only way to drive to Coachella

Sunset on the first evening in Indio.

Caterpillar made from flowers and plants with palm trees for antlers. 

Gigantic robot with a flower in his hand that he would put up to his nose at different times. 

MS MR on the main stage

The Do-Lab

Coachella day 1

Drive into the campground yesterday and were parked and set up by 10. We are about 50 yards from the front entrance. We watched as a car full of guys got their stash taken by security. I have to admit it was a bit of a good laugh. We ended up next to the coolest people who made a teepee for their first year our here. The vibe out here is amazing!!!
We heard Outkast sound checking last night. I'm so excited... I almost got up and started dancing.
Currently we are fed, sufficiently caffeinated, and were showered and clean (it's already pretty warm so we're sweating). Now we're just anxiously awaiting the festival to open at 11. Pictures to follow!!!

Getting down to the wire

So here we are, 11 days until we leave and 14 til we start the trail. We went Monday and bought all the little random leftover odds and ends for our packs. I'm getting so excited and then the reality of some of the sillier stuff sets in (OMG will we have enough money, will I be able to make it the whole way, is Pants going to be ok.. and so on and so on.). Honestly its the packing up the house that's stressing me out even more.

We slept outside in the tent last Sunday night with the 50 degree sleeping bag. It was the coldest its been here in a bit (a whopping 52 deg overnight). He was fine, but I feel that if we hit any colder temps I would be chilly. We're going to try again tonight with the other bag and see how we do. For me its definitely going to take some adjustment. I think I will bring my small foam/muscle roller thing. It can double as a pillow and to work out some of the day to day hiking kinks.  

Today I take Pants over to her temporary home. I feel bad. I keep trying to tell myself she'll be ok and she'll adjust. Possibly better than I am at the moment.

Tonight is his last night of work and I have only 2 more. By now, I'm just ready to be done with it all and out in the mountains. I'm ready for some nature therapy.