[A year ago April 15th, I set out to hike the length of the Appalachian Trail, northbound from Georgia to Maine, with my 7 year old dog, Gracie. Almost nightly, I wrote journal entries about what I was experiencing. The demands of trail life with a dog precluded me from posting these entries during the hike. I've chosen to post excerpts to mark the anniversary of this life-altering experience. Enjoy the journey, I certainly did.]
23 April 2009 - Day 9, Mile 79.3 - Muskrat Creek Shelter -> Beech Gap Tenting Area
Slept in and took my time making breakfast and breaking camp. Rinsed some clothes in the stream and took time to hike back to Raven Cliffs to enjoy the unobstructed view and see the downed Cessna debris. Have I mentioned I've always wanted to get a pilot's license? Wanted to make Carter Gap shelter by tonight, but my noon start made that impossible. Probably could've marshalled on, but ran into Dave and Rock (section hikers) at Beech Gap and decided to camp with them. (I'd passed them the previous evening at Bly Gap). They're nice guys from Orlando, out hiking for the week (Hiawassee to Franklin). We ate dinner together sitting on downed logs, then hung bear bags. They tried to help me with mine (being gentleman, I suppose) but I had an easier time getting it done once I asked them to just let me do it myself. I really do need to lighten my food load, it's ridiculously heavy (and the bear line practically cuts into my hands as I hoist the bag).
Today I enjoyed hiking at my own pace and breaking camp at my own pace. I'd rather get going earlier and take my breaks at lunch and dinner, but today was a good experiment. Was thirsty most of the day. Water/streams are not as plentiful in North Carolina, and I didn't plan for or expect that. Will be more mindful tomorrow. Got into the 70s this afternoon and I took on Gracie's food since it was hot and water was limited. That helped her. It's starting to sprinkle now. As the sun was going down through the gap, a section of trees turned orange from the glow of the descending sun. The only real evidence of sunset other than glimpses of colored sky through the treetops. Amazing to see.
My coffee cup died (I'd carried a disposable from Georgia), so until Franklin, I'll drink from my cookpot if I need to make a beverage other than water. I'm filthy and starting to smell. I remind myself of the gorilla exhibit at the Houston Zoo.
Happy Birthday, Mom! I didn't have cell service today, but I thought of you a lot. Thought again about wanting to take care of, wanting to make it known that I'm available to take care of, my nieces and remembered a psychic reading I had several years ago mentioned something along those lines. It would be interesting to listen to those tapes again after so long. Three years, wow.
Goals for 4/24:
get on the trail by 8am
call Mom
call Amex re: bill
call re: Franklin shuttle
at least to Rock Gap shelter
Wasilik Poplar side trail
Internet/computer access in Franklin?
Highlights: sleeping in! Taking time to check out a view and the wreckage from a small plane crash. Oh yeah, I crossed my first state line yesterday and am now in North Carolina! The orange trees.
Food;
B - gluten-free cereal mix (too little water, corn did not rehydrate & was chewy), hot cocoa
L - trail mix (the last of Emily's good stuff)
D - awesome Mexican soup and chocolate
Retrospective: Dehydrated corn really must be rehydrated at a simmer for 20 minutes. Something my stove was incapable of doing (it has one setting - boil the heck out of everything) & my stomach was incapable of waiting on. Chewy veggies are still veggies. Crossing into North Carolina, the trail changed. It became suddenly warmer and more arid, and the distinction between the two states was surprising. Gracie lagged behind some when the temperatures rose, and I took on her load more frequently as a result.
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