The lasting effects of our trail angel still affected me the next morning. I awoke feeling rejuvenated, free from my depression and feelings of self doubt. Everything was clear again, her kindess and company quelled the negativity that I had been dealing with the past week or two. The two of us packed up and [...]
I slept in for the first time in a long time. I layed in bed till around 7, saying goodbye to Diesel and packing up, I met Huck at the trail head. We both had planned on stopping at the river for the night, a short 18 mile day for us, at most 9 hours. [...]
The day was the longest day in the year and that meant hike naked day. Diesel and I continued our getting to know each other as we climbed the mountain. We were both feeling down and trying to motivate the other, he was missing his dad on father's day and I was deep within the [...]
New insoles in my shoes, I hitched out to the gap. A very large man in a fitting size pickup, picked me up and took me down to the gap. We talked of life and love on the way. He was moving in with his girlfriend and today was the last day to do it, [...]
We set a goal of thirty miles for the day, the only way we could justify taking the slow day before. Since we were now hiking partners, Diesel and I, took the opportunity to get to know each other for the morning. Playing the question game, we took turns sharing and asking questions. This went [...]
Leaving town I felt better, but not complete. Losing my phone had dealt a huge blow to my psyche. I never would have thought that such a small thing could tear me down. The thought of losing my phone wasn't the problem, the names, numbers, messages could all be replaced. The pictures on the other [...]
The lack of sleep had taken its toll I was toast. I had ten mile so go before town and it would drag on and on. Each foot feeling like lead as I drug them across the gorund, looking more a zombie than a person. The miles went on forever as I crossed over the [...]
I was out early and made great time to Catawba in just three hours. This was an exciting day for me, I was going to climb Macfee Knob and get some of the most iconic photos taken. This place was the most photographed spot in the trail. The hot day and little water meant I [...]
Waking up refreshed more so than the day before I was out like a rocket. Pushing hard to the next shelter for water and breakfast. I must have stayed too long sine the other hikers caught me at the shelter, I have to keep up a faster pace if I'm going to put some distance [...]
Tired and sore weren't the half of it, I was beat. The mouse had chewed a hole on the same pocket that Roland had done a year before and made me smile. It might as well had been him instead, memories of my great dog flooded in as I got ready and headed to the [...]
