Day 12-20

Day 12 04-11-14 7-miles

NOC-Sassafrass Gap

Today was an interesting day. As all days seem to be out here. It started out slow. Since we had slept under a roof we weren't to hurried to get up and get moving. We decided since the resupply options were not adequate that we would hitch a ride to a nearby town. We gathered all our stuff and got down to the road by 10:30. Getting a hitch into town was easy. It took all of 3-mins. A guy named Jim picked us up. He turned out to be a minister with a Calvary Chapel Church. That was awesome! We fellowshiped during the ride and then he prayed over us when he dropped us off. We got all our food and ate at the store since they had a deli. The smokeys are coming so we decided that we would buy enough food to make it through the smokeys and mail it to ourselves to be picked up in a couple days. Once again, God was there providing us easy rides. A guy named Gene who worked at the local post office was taking his lunch break. He took us straight to where we needed to go. We mailed our stuff and got back to the road with our thumbs up. Two hitches later, we made it back to the AT. It was our intention to go straight to hiking, but our friends were hanging out by the river. We chatted with them for a while soaking our feet in the cold river. When we finally got back to hiking it was a hard 7 miles. All in all it was a pretty relaxing day. 

Day 13 11-miles 04-12-14

Sassafras Gap-Cody gap

We got some extra awesome trail magic today! I was hungry so we stopped early for lunch and ate. Then a couple miles later, we got to eat again! When I saw the tent and grill set up at the road I went running down the trail singing the hungry hungry hippo song. We both ate to our hearts content. Even better than the food (if there could be such a thing) we met two past through hikers named stride and hopeful. They were both great believers and were hiking for the exact same reasons we are, just to be a light. It was such an encouragement. 

Day 14 11-miles 04-13-14

Cody Gap-The Fontana Hilton

Our observation today is that if a service, like hot showers electricity or a roof, is free then expect to encounter all types of people. The Fontana hilton is known as one of the best shelters for all the above reasons. Thus, making it a very popular destination. Many people would be thru hikers have put their goal on hold because of its amenities. We did however go for a refreshing swim in the lake. All of our group came down and we hung out till the sun went over the ridge. Despite it being crowded and full of the partying demographic of the trail, it's been a great day. 

Day 15 13-miles 04-14-14

Fontana Hilton-Russel Field Shelter

We got a decent start this morning. Leaving camp around 9. My foot had been hurting so we decided to go to what was called an outfitter. It was in fact a general store with a gear corner. None the less I got nothing for my foot. On the positive side it did feel better at the end of today than it did at the end of yesterday. That's an aspect of the hike I haven't put on here yet. There's always something in our body that is sore. If it's not on the left leg it's on the right. These pains and sorenesses come and go. No big deal. It rained basically all day on us. We got to our destination around 4:30 and we've been taking it slow since we got here. In 75 miles we'll be at a trail town and I should be able to pickup some insoles for Dawn and I. It should make a world of difference. As for rite now, I'm warm and toasty in my bag and on my sleeping pad. 

Day 16 15-miles 04-15-14

Russel field shelter-silars bald shelter

Today was one for the record books. It started out in the 30's and raining. It then went to sleet then hail then an all out sleet/snow storm. We walked in gusting winds and driving sleet all day. When we stopped for lunch we encountered a ridge runner named Fletcher who was really enthusiastic about his job. Ridge runners are employed by the appalachian trail conservancy to help keep camp and shelter sites in good order. Because of the fierce conditions we got in the shelter(one we had picked to stop for lunch at) and began digging through our food bags. He began to lecture myself and all the other patrons on the "dear dear price" future campers would pay because we had brought food Into the shelter. He was alluding to other hikers being attacked by bears. Given my options of going outside and freezing while standing still to eat or taking my chances with the bears, of which I haven't seen one, I began to eat. By the time we reached our destination we were both frozen. The time we spent between arriving and getting into our bags was basically just survival mode. All night it gusted freezing winds, but we stayed toasty in our sleeping bags. 

Day 17 15-miles 04-16-14

Silars bald-ice water spring

The weather today was much better. The trail was very icy making for some slow going. The miles felt much longer today than other days. We did climb clingmons dome, the highest on the trail, and pass the 200-mile mark. Both pretty awesome accomplishments. Tomorrow we are planning on our first 20-mile day. Should be a full days hike. 

Day 18 21-miles 04-17-14

Ice water springs-Cosby knob

What a long day. We needed to hike this far to avoid another day in the smokies. At 6:30 we began to pack our stuff and eat breakfast to hit the trail by 8. Today was full of the most breath taking views so far on the trail. It was a mostly flat day as we walked the high ridge line on the eastern side of the smokies. We made it to camp around 5:40. Not a bad days hike. We've officially made it 230 miles. In a couple days (37-miles) we will be taking a double zero day (as in days of rest) in Hot Springs, one of the more famous trail towns. I'm looking forward to a hot shower, wifi, coffee, and some relaxation with my wife. we truly are enjoying our time together. I think we laugh more together now than we ever have. 

Day 19 12-miles 04-18-14

Cosby-Painters Branch

WE ARE DONE WITH THE SMOKIES! It's so great to be out of there. That place had some crazy weather and even crazier rules. Now we can put our tent down any place we like. The hike out wasn't to hard, mostly down hill. Just outside of the park is a place called standing bear hostel. We stopped in there to get some lunch and food so we can make it two more days to hot springs. I also enjoyed a fresh baked pizza and Dawn ate a whole bag of cheese puffs. Our stomachs seem to have no capacity limit these days. From there it was only 2 more miles, but it was all up hill. The massive lunch we had just eaten was sitting heavy in our stomachs. It was a long two miles. 

Day 20 18-miles 04-19-14

Painters branch-Walnut shelter

This morning started off rocky. Dawn and I couldn't seem to communicate well and on top of that it was raining. We finally got moving about 830 and not 2-miles up the trail we ran into a trail angel serving fresh donuts and hot coffee. His name was Apple (yes his mother named him that.) He had attempted the trail a few years back and decided it was to hard and he was to old. Now he enjoys being a trail angel and giving out food to hungry hikers like us. We hiked pretty much all day in anything from cloudy sky's to a civilized drizzle. The shelter we thought about staying at was built in 1938 and it shows. It was also the home to many families of mice. It has quit raining so we setup our wet tent with hopes the rain is done for the day and that it will dry over night. Tomorrow marks an official week since I've showered. I've been using baby wipes every day, but it's just not the same. The hobo life is not for the lite of heart or smell. Tomorrow we have reservations at a hostel for two nights. That means showers for two days, I'll feel almost human again. We'll also get to was our clothes and take a few days rest. We will have hiked 273 miles in 3 weeks. Our average will go up, but that's pretty respectable for the first couple of weeks. 

Stride and Hopeful. Two trail angels the fed us. 

The Smokies from lake Fontana

View from Fontana Dam

Life preserver box on Fontana Dam

I LOVE MY WIFE!

The first day in the Smokies. It was rainy. 

Morning after the snow and ice. 

View from Clingmons Dome

Getting Closer. 

Apple the trail angel. He made is coffee. 

Smokies from the other end

On our way into Hot Springs

Day 7-11

Day 7 11-miles 04-06-14

Tray mt-top of Georgia hostel

Today started out cold and early. The hostel we were headed to had limited spots and before we ever left 8 people had already hit the trail. Knowing it was going to rain all the next night we hiked harder than we had all trip. We caught all 8 people and even some other stragglers. By 12:30 we had hiked all 11 miles and safely arrived. First on the list of things to do was shower. After 3.5 days of no shower and warm weather I smelled like a hot dumpster in August. Unfortunately we ended up getting our laundry done first. That put us in a awkward spot. All we had to wear was our rain gear, but we still needed to go to town with the 1pm shuttle to get groceries. For the first time in my life I went grocery shopping in nothing but sandals, rain pants, and a rain jacket. After a while I was used to the looks, but I was more interested in the food anyway. We got back to the hostel with 3-days of supply, took showers, and got our clean clothes back from the hostel mom. Then the greatest event of the trip happened; we were taken to an all you can eat pizza buffet!! I can honestly say I got my money's worth. After that we got taken back for some foots bathes, and then to bed. I slept in a warm dry bed and listened to the rain fall all night long. 

Day 8 17-miles 04-07-14

Top of Georgia hostel-standing Indian shelter

It's been a long rainy day. Not only was it our longest miles day, but it also rained constantly from the moment I walked out of the hostel and even now as I lay in my warm dry sleeping bag, it's still raining. All that said to say this, it has been a wonderful day. We hiked in a cloud basically all day, but we got in a lot of miles. WE ALSO COMPLETED OUR FIRST STATE!!! Only 13 more states to go. We had to sleep in our tent tonight since the shelter was already busting at the seams with hikers, but tomorrow it should be sunny and 65 so we will have ample opportunity to dry our wet tent and rain gear. Time for some rest. 

Day 9 16-miles 04-08-14

Standing Indian shelter-Long Branch

It has been the best of times so far and the worst of times so far. This morning started out cold and wet. We finally started to break camp at 8. As we were putting the tent away and as we lifted the foot print to fold it the wind caught it in such a way that mud flew all over me. I was pretty upset with the situation in that moment but Dawn helped bring me through. This trail is teaching me a lesson in patients. We hiked all day, which was fairly sunny, to a shelter full of friends. One guy who has been hiking with his dad brought ingredients for s'mores as a going away party since his dad has to leave us tomorrow. We ate tons of food and joked around the camp fire for a couple hours. Now I once again lay in my trusty warm sleeping bag. Reflecting back on the last nine days I've had the chance to share the love of Christ with over 10 people. It's been so nice to tell people of the love and mercy, there is a visible relief. Some people have only heard condemnation as a form of gospel. But Romans teaches us that it's the goodness of God not the judgement of men that will bring a man to Jesus. I'm content that I'm not responsible for judging. My job and the job of every Christian is to share the love of Christ, and I'm happy to do it. 

Day 10 18-miles 04-09-14

Long Branch-wayah shelter

Today was a long day filled with beautiful views and sites. At lunch today we ate completely from a strangers generosity. A section hiker who had finished their section went and bought a ton of food to give to hikers. As we walked up to where we planned to have lunch he was waiting for us with all kinds of fruit and nice things we don't normally have. We saw our first glimpse of the smokies. A formidable monolith rising out of the north. Many people have been speaking cautionary tales of those mountains, but we plan to not linger in them. They are home to some crazy weather. We also hiked past the group we've been with for the last 4 days. Since two new sleeping pads are waiting for us 17 miles from our current camp site, we are hiking hard to get there. They will be so much more comfortable. All in all it was a great day!

Day 11 17-miles 04-10-14

Wayah shelter-NOC

This morning we got up really early in order to make it to the NOC aka natahala outdoor center. We pushed hard since our new sleeping pads would be here and the store closes at 4. Upon arrival it was a worst case scenario. Not only had we just hiked 17-miles, there was no tent or hostel space available. We sat down, collected our thoughts, and decided that we would have to hike back a mile to the last camping site. As we started back we ran across one of the family's we had been hiking with. Bless their souls!! They are allowing us to cram into their little room! Not only are they letting us do that, but they gave us key cards that give us access to the showers and kitchen area. We are living large!! After 4 days of no shower or washing clothes we were both so happy to be clean. We also acquired our sleeping pads, and are now resting on some brand new NEMO ZOR pads. Tomorrow we are going to hitch a ride to a nearby city to get some food since the store here doesn't have squat. Life goes easy. 

Day 5-6

Day 5 7-miles

Low Gap-Blue mt shelter

We broke camp really early to hopefully outrun the impending thunderstorms. We made it to our destination by 10 and ended up sitting around all day to rest. It was super windy because the shelter was on a high-ridge line. We made some great friends. Overall it was a super easy day of rest and we will be spending our first night in a shelter. 

Day 6 8-miles

Blue mt-tray mt shelter 

This morning was witnessed a beautiful sunrise from our ridge line shelter villa. It was our coldest night yet so we wasted no time breaking camp and heading down to our first town adventure. We made it to hiawasse, GA in no time since Dawn is so cute and nobody can turn her down. We went to ingles super market and it was AWESOME!!! They had clean bathrooms with running water, a place to sit down, and a deli with a $5 lunch special. We got a 2.5 day food resupply, and I bought some super charged deodorant so Dawn won't mind hugging me. Now we are in camp just hanging out. It's way less humid so we are letting all our stuff get really dry. We heard there might be storms tomorrow night so we might hike hard to a hostel 14-miles away and avoid the rain. Life on the AT is treating us really well. Besides some sore knees we are moving along injury free. 

Day 4-5

Day 4 04-03-14 12-Miles

Neels Gap-Low Gap Shelter

Today was a bit deceiving. We started out with intentions of taking it easy and just hiking 7 miles.  So we hung out at neels until 12:45 and only had one big climb to accomplish. When we got to our expected camp site that we had been told had ample water it was a pipe dream. The water was a mosquito breading ground coming from a PVC pipe from the road, and the tent sites were surrounded by dead trees. Who knew where that water came from. So we left our group and hiked on another 5 miles. We arrived late, but the camping situation was so much better. We made a huge dinner and slept hard. 

Day 5 04-04-14 7-miles

Low Gap Shelter-Blue mt Shelter

Last night we expected some storms. They never came, but we did experience some pretty strong winds. The tent held and we managed to stay warm despite the super heavy humidity. We woke up before sunrise and started hiking with the intention of hiking a simi-easy seven miles and to beat the storms. We made it to our destination by 10:45. Now we are just chilling at the shelter talking 8 other thru hikers for the rest of the day. The community we have encountered out here is something you wouldn't expect. Every body is going through the same experience and the sense of collective efficacy is awesome. Tomorrow Dawn and I are going into town to get a few food items and then hike to another shelter where we will meet back up with our friends Brandon and Jessica. 

Here I Am: Caleb's Story in my eyes

Here I am!

Lately I've been contemplating Caleb from the old testament. I've learned a couple things about him. First, he was not affiliated with the tribes. He was of the line of Esau and therefore had no promised inheritance. Second, he was fully committed to God! We learn that he was one of the original four spies sent by Moses to see the promised land. Caleb along with Joshua were also the only two who believed that God would give them the promise land. Put yourself in his shoes. The man knew In his heart the power God was giving them to take the land, but every one else melted in fear. We know that he was forty when he spied out the land for Moses, and because of the peoples fear he had to wait forty years. For forty years he trusted God with nothing but the clothes on his back, and the word spoken to him through Moses. He watched all his elders die, until he was among the leadership. I cannot fathom that level of faith!! He knew that he knew God was for him. In Joshua 14 we see his trust in God on display. After going to war with Joshua on his conquest he approaches Joshua and says: 

Joshua 14:6-15 Caleb's Request and Inheritance:

 Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh- barnea concerning you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh- barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God. ’ And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty- five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty- five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.”

 Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel. Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath- arba. (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war.

I see the heart of a warrior, confessing his faith, ready to receive his inheritance, not letting his age or past inhibit him. It's my prayer that I would have that determination. Not only to weather the storms but to take back what's been taken from me. Jesus said he came that I would have life abundantly! I'll take nothing less! Don't settle for anything less. Remember if any situation is going to steal from your life, kill your joy, or destroy anything and I mean ANYTHING you love, it's not what God has for you. It's time we take ownership of our paid for mercy and grace and live on a level intended for a child of God!!

Woody Gap-Neels Gap

Day 3 04-02-14 10-Miles

Woody gap-Neels gap

Today was a rough day. Blood Mt was awesome! I'm coming to believe that Dawn was made for this stuff. She hikes as fast or faster than every person we've met except one. In her defense, that guy is ex-special forces. It was also my birthday. On top of blood mt I met a guy from Manchester England who also was celebrating his birthday. That guy was truly interesting. He is ex-British Army and now works as a maritime mercenary guarding ships from pirates. He has a super thick accent, and might be one of the coolest guys I've ever talked to. We got to chat for the better part of an hour last night.  I got a trail name.  I'm now dubbed Gilligan, because of my hat and the handkerchief I wore around my neck to protect from sunburn.  Over all it was a great day to be on the trail.  

Day 1-2

Day 1 03-31-14 10-miles

Springer-Hawk Mt shelter: Today was a great day! The temp got up to mid 70's, which is the hottest I've been since last summer. The hike was beautiful with lots of views and people to meet. This trail is much more populated than the buffalo river trail that I'm used to. We met an awesome couple Brandon and Jessica that we plan to hike with for a while. Tomorrow we think we will hike about 13 miles depending on how we feel. Our camp at Hawk mtn shelter has almost two dozen tents a privy and a little spring fed creek. The creek is guarded by a deranged bat that is constantly bluff charging you and then turning at the last second. We think it has white nose syndrome. None the less, we filtered all the water we needed.  

Day 2 04-01-14 13-miles

Hawk Mt shelter-Woody Gap

Today was a pretty smooth day. Longest day so far. We intend to taper off for the next couple days and build back up to an even longer day. Like anything you have to take long days and short days to build up strength. We are still hiking with Brandon and Jessica. Today we witnessed first hand some army rangers training to maneuver in a fire fight. It involved lots of machine gun fire and even a couple flash bangs. When I say first, I mean it was literally happening around us!! I was 10 yards ahead of Dawn and the others when the A.T. erupted with machine gun fire and yelling. I took a video and I'll post it later. So far the AT has been extremely good to us. Dawn is doing wonderful! I'm a little sore, but no more than expected. Life goes easy.