After spending a weekend in The Real World attending a wedding reception, I made my way back to Marion, VA to pick up the trail. I was exhausted from the festivities and the long drive, so when I spoke to Lentil on the phone and he suggested zeroing to wait out the impending rain, I … Continue reading »
I know my last post was pretty scattered. Damascus was the first trail town I hit in which I didn’t actually Zero. Instead, I hiked ten miles in one day and another 12 miles or so out the next day. Consequently, I didn’t have much time to write a post, nonetheless to proof read. Please … Continue reading »
When last we left our protagonist, she was hanging out for a day in Erwin, TN recovering from the AT plague, the scourge that has taken down lesser (wo)men. Ok, enough speaking in the third person for the day. After zeroing (convalescing?) one day at Uncle Johnny’s hostel, I decided to get the heck out … Continue reading »
About a month ago, my friend Chris sent me a birthday card in the shape of a pickle, which – just for the record – is one of the best shapes for a birthday card since one can use it as a prop. For a good week, I was responding to a variety of people’s … Continue reading »
…I heard that sentiment more times than I can count in the past week. I heard it bouncing around the walls of the overpacked shelters, echoing down the snow-packed trail, and among hikers huddled around A.T. Guides – all trying to plan their next moves. I don’t know what it is about the Smokies, but … Continue reading »
I was recently reflecting on my first days on the trail. Yeah, I’ve only been traveling for about three weeks and am already feeling nostalgic. And, whoa, only three weeks on the trail?! It feels like so much longer. It occurred to me that the four friends I’ve been hiking with – Zen, Lentil, Peanut, … Continue reading »
From the moment I decided to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, my mother has provided unwavering support. She listened to my plans, encouraged me, and promised to send mail drop boxes all along the way. Then, the night before I flew to Georgia she finally said, “So, what will you actually be doing all day? You … Continue reading »
A hundred miles. My friends and I have hiked over a hundred miles. On the scale of the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, it may not seem like a lot, but I assure you, we celebrated when we realized our accomplishment. Peanut, Techie, and I emerged from the woods at Dicks Creek Gap, and … Continue reading »
***I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their well wishes on my birthday and on the start of my trek. I read every single comment and am truly touched by the flood of support. For those of you whose comments require follow up, I’ve tried to respond. I didn’t realize how much … Continue reading »
So far with this blog I’ve steered clear of giving advice. After all, I’m learning every step of the way, so it would be disingenuous to tell anyone else how to go about preparing for a thru-hike, nonetheless how to hike the hike itself. However, I feel like a week is plenty of time to … Continue reading »
