Neels Gap

Made it to Neels gap at 1030 this morning. Trail goes right through the store. Talk about bringing your customers right to you! Bought a new food sack..some snickers and poptarts. and some new insoles for my feet. The girls are doing laundry and showering..I am waiting till Hiawasee. I want the funk to be strong..although I really dont smell the other hikers..just me. Will try to tarp tonight somewhere down the road.

The Hiawasee Inn

Just wanted to give free advertisement for the Hiawasee Inn. It isnt much to look at but they have treated me well, and even did my laundry for me...and folded it too! It is definetly better than a shelter.

I will post a reviews about Blueberry Patch & Cloud 9 when I see hikers who stayed there...for any future thruhikers out there.

Shepherd

Mountain Feast

Well, we made it into Franklin, NC at about 4:45 pm, without Captain Jack. We are unsure where he is. He shouldn't of been too far behind us, but he never showed up. Popeye is getting nervous about him, and will probably have to take a zero day tomorrow because of this.

Today was a day of firsts. Funny thing was this morning I didn't think that there would be anything exciting to talk about, but that wasn't the case.

First of all, I passed the 100 mile mark today! We did 15.9 miles (the most in one day!) We are officially 107.6 miles from Springer and 1068.6 miles to Katahdin. Wooo hooo! Popeye said after the first 100 miles the miles really start adding up...I sure hope so!

The other first was that I went the wrong way for the first time! It happened about 3 miles after I left the shelter this morning. I apparently took a blue blaze trail, and about 5 mins later I realized I was going the wrong way! Thankfully it wasn't like 1 hour until I noticed my goof. Popeye told me on his thruhike in 2001, he went 5 miles before realizing he was going on the wrong trail! So he went 21 miles for the day and only 11 of them counted for the AT!

Well after Mooney gap, the rain clouds started to form. So I pretty much ran up Albert Mnt, and once we got to Big Spring Shelter it started to rain! Then of course it continued to rain the rest of the day! I am so thankful I am in town tonight! Although tomorrow's forecast calls for even more rain and possibly hail in the higher elevations! So any prayers would be greatly appreciated for the storm to hit tonight or wait till tomorrow night! I do plan to stay in a shelter tomorrow!

Well Popeye and I are staying at the Sapphire Inn and right across the street is a restraunt called Mountain Feast...and feast we did! They had an AYCE buffet with fried chicken, beef sirloin & fried catfish! Oh, the fried catfish was sooo good! I did better this time on the AYCE...able to eat 2 plates full! That was because all I had today was poptarts, snickers, milky way, PB and cheese crackers and a handful of GORP.

Tomorrow I will get some denatured alcohol and head back to the trail around 9-9:30 in the morning. I plan on doing 15.8 miles tomorrow to Cold Spring Shelter.

Note: Captain Jack finally arrived at the motel at 6 pm. Popeye will be greatly relieved! Hopefully he won't have to take a zero day tomorrow and will continue to hike with me! Love their company!

Also, thanks Russel for checking out my blog and following me as I head to Maine! Appreciate the encouragement!

Lee: I never smell! I always smell like a fresh mountain spring! lol. Yeh, if I could only bottle it up and send it to you! ;O)

Scott: Thanks for spreading the word about my blog. You can tell anyone you want about it. I hope to get the people who do Trail Journals to check it out...that way they can allow people to update their journals right on the trail like me. Instead of having to do it later when they find a computer. I don't know anyone else who has tried this type of journal for the AT...hopefully it will catch on!

Shepherd

Breakfast Club

Day 11. Good morning all. Spent the night at the Sapphire Inn. For all you future thru-hikers, Ron Haven treats you right. He is awesome. For 35 bucks for a room with free shuttle to and from trail. Also they have shuttle services around town for free. So if you need to go into Franklin..check out Haven Budget Inn. 4 stars!

We are at Wilson's Diner for breakfast. Plan to finally eat something other than poptarts. Eggs and biscuits!

Well heavy rain is in the forecast with baseball size hail. Will only do 11 miles today to get to wayah shelter.

Here at breakfast is popeye, california joe, greg, macky, lil mak, chair, limestone, cahoda, krt, & silas.

Shepherd.

NOC

Well day 12 is in the books. Officially hiked 16.5 miles (my longest so far). I am at the NOC, which is 134.9 miles Springer & 2041.3 miles to Katahdin. The NOC is the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which would be a nice place for a retreat. lol. Tomorrow I plan to do 16 miles to Brown Fork Gap Shelter, then to Fontana Dam the next day.

Thanks everyone for all the encouraging comments. They really help.

Russell: Great to meet ya. I hope to check out your program on YouTube when I get the chance! Lord willing I will have many opportunities to share my testimony, even if I can't I hope by my actions I stand out for God! Since I am His ambassador on this trek! I would be happy to hike with anyone out here.
Bill Bolander: When you get to this area when you start your hike. The 6.5 miles from Wesser tower to NOC is tough! Lots of steep up & downs. Not many switchbacks. Rivers end has great food. Wesser General store has limited food.

DaisyGirl: Yeh, glad my trail name isnt Cookie Monster!

Shepherd

Standing Bear Farm Hostel

Howdy All! Happy Easter! He is RISEN!

I am reminded of the chorus of "Alive Forever, Amen"

"He's Alive, Alive, Alive Hallelujah. Praise and Glory to the Lamb!
Alive, Alive Alive Hallelujah. Forever, Amen!"

Great song!

Well my battery died on me after sending out the Tribute to California Joe. He was bummed that I didnt get a more flattering picture of him! We see him eating his "Nabs" or what we northerns call...cheese and crackers, and did you see his white legs! You were probably blinded I know! That is why I am wearing pants all the time! Right on! lol.

No he is actually a fire fighter for the Northern California Forest Service! Great guy and a professing believer. I actually got to give my testimony to him as well as our dating testimony too! lol. Heck we have only been hiking for the past 7 days together. We are like bros now! Also ladies...he is single and 25 years old! hehe :O)

Well ok...back to the AT!

Day 18. We did 20.4 miles to get us to Cosby Knob Shelter. We delibertly did this to our bodies so we could get to Standing Bear farm earlier in the day on day 19. It was definetly tough but the views were AMAZING! It was all ridgeline hiking, with great weather! Couldnt have asked for a better day. I truely loved the Smokies! We met Steady On at the shelter as well, another thru-hiker that started in late Feb.

Day 19. Today we did only 11.4 miles to the Standing Bear Farm Hostel! Actually we got our directions messed up so we actually did 13.4 miles...2 unofficial. We werent happy, but we made it still by 12:30. We are officially 239.3 miles from Springer and out of the Smoky Mnt National Park. We just have a short 32.3 miles left to Hot Springs, so 2 fairly easy days ahead.

When we got to the hostel, was able to take my 3rd shower in 19 days!!!! Oh it felt sooo good! I also was able to eat an entire Digorno Supreme Pizza as well, and will have my first pint of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream for dinner tonight! I think it is Chocolate Fudge Browny! Yum! Here at the hostel is CJ and his friend who will hike the next 5 days with us, Poncho, The General, Steady On, and Lady and the Tramp.

I just also want to give a review of the Hostel for any future hikers...4 stars! Great place. Very nice. Plenty of food to eat, hot showers, internet access. Highly recommending staying the night if you are able!

Well anyway. Thanks for all the encouraging comments and prayers!

PS: Yeh, I might be needing a refresher on the peppermint oil. How about sending one to Damascus, VA. I am about 13 days away from there. Just address it to Jeremiah Redden...Hold for Thru-hiker. If it isnt much trouble! So far it has worked wonders! Thanks a million!

CJ's Diner

Here is a short video made at Standing Bear Farm Hostel. I hope to get more short videos up as I can. Enjoy. Just press play even though the screen is black. God bless.

Shepherd.

Uncle Johnny's

Day 26: Easy 6.3 miles into Erwin, TN where we are staying at Uncle Johnny's hostel, which is the nicest hostel to date! Super friendly, warm showers, warm bunkhouse with TV and plenty of movies to choose from! Cant beat that for 15 bucks! Bill: Stay here when you hike! Thanks Scott for the upcoming warning on the trail over Roan! I have heard it called Groan Mnt! Lois: This is the section in the "Then the Hail Came" called Hump and Groan...I wish I had a copy to read while I travel it!

So far it is CJ, Dynamite, Sam & I for the night. We already showered and headed into town for the all you can eat Chinese buffet at the China Kitchen! Yummy! I had 3 and half plates, so I am doing better with the AYCE!

Then we went to the Food Lion to resupply for the next 4 days, and of course I got a pint of Ben & Jerry's to eat while watching March Madness! Finally, I get to see my first 2 games! Hoping Davidson pulls off the upset!

Tonight for dinner it will be Sonic, which will have it's own post in tribute to Trey....an avid Sonic fan...so stay tuned! Then it is a sermon by Pastor Broggi and probably National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation for a night cap movie!

God bless,
Shepherd!

Risk at Kincora Hostel

Day 30: Today was an easy nero day. Officially 9.3 miles, which puts us 410.9 miles from Springer & 1765.3 from Katahdin.

We are at Kincora hostel, which definetly gets 4 stars. Bob Peoples goes out of his way to cater to hikers. Bill plan to stay here. Showered and ate 3 beef n chedders & curly fries at Arby's. Dynamite ate over 3000 cals there! Then we went back to play some Risk! One of the greatest game created. I came out victorious, when all hope looked lost. Then we had some pizza & ice cream for dessert, and I know I am still loosing weight.

Well 2 days til Damascus. Rain in the forecast. Yeah.

Shepherd

The Dutch Haus!

Day 52: April 25th.

Officially hiked 18.1 miles to the Fish Hatchery Rd, then walked another 2.5 miles (unofficial) to Montebello, VA.

This is where the Dutch Haus B&B is located! Lois & Earl are in their 8th year doing this. They actually offer a free lunch to all hikers whether they stay or not between 11-1 pm, but I wasnt able to get there in time. So, I will get to enjoy their dinner and breakfast! They give us cool robes to wear around the house while our laundry gets done! Very cozy! Spruce & South Side are here as well. They both slacked packed 25 miles today. I havent gotten the chance to slack pack (which means you just hike with a day pack with a few essentials) yet. I would like to hear other hiker's opinions on whether slack packing is "allowed" on a thru-hike or not. So far there have been a mixture of hikers who say they would and many who say they wouldnt. I dont think I would turn down the opportunity if it came up, but doubt it will. Currently I have carried my full pack the whole time.

I officially broke the 800 mile mark today over Cold Mountain, where I called and actually talked to my co-workers today! It was great to hear their voices and their encouragement, and of course a patient was trying to get out of bed! It never fails! lol.

I am officially at 811.5 miles form Springer & 1364.7 miles from Katahdin! Tomorrow, I have a tough downhill hike down "The Priest", which has 36 switchbacks! But, then I have a equally large climb up 3 ridges mnt. So the saying is true, "If you go down, you will soon be going up!"

Just John: Great to hear from you and welcome to the blog! Would love to meet you and especially if you have trail magic! Thru-hikers crave trail magic! lol. I always wear a blue bandana and carry a hiking stick. My picture is on the post of the "one month snapshot". Also, how is the trail in PA? I have heard that it is pretty flat and the rocks dont come into play till near the end!? I also heard Maryland isnt too bad as well.

Rich: I have a tarp (1 pound) and have used it successfully on the trail. I currently use the shelters if possible, but have come out dry using the tarp in a rain storm! Most hikers still carry tents, but tarps are becoming more popular, esp. with ultralighters. I recommend the website, http://www.backpackinglight.com/. Very informative, esp. their forums!

Jen: Great to hear from you. I miss seeing you guys and esp. Kayden. Tell him I said hello! I bet he wont recognize me at Matthew's graduation! lol. Congrats on your job in Lafayette, we hope to see you often!

Alyssa: Yes, I forgot about the mouse count! I have seen 8 dead mice at the shelter. 1 alive, and another one ran over my head while sleeping. The MBG's (Mouse-B-Gone's) are working well lately, since I have 2 fresh ones! I gave out the rest PS! Thanks again!

Eikenberry: Yes, I hope my beard grows quickly! Any tips on how to make it grow faster would be much appreciated. I dont think Amee will want me to keep it once I am finished with the hike! lol. Also here is the updated poptart count!

Poptarts: 102
Snickers: 44

Bill Bolander: You should try to stay here if possible! 4 stars! Great food and wonderful place to sleep! Highly recommended!!!

Pete/Wendy: Is getting married tomorrow!! Yeah! God bless you guys and have a great honeymoon! It is finally here!

Shepherd.

Bears Den Hostel

Well today I zero'd at Bear Den Hostel, which was just what I needed. I have learned that I am more a cold weather hiker than a hot weather one. I have trouble with the heat and humidity.

So today I read 3 chapters in our men's bible study book, 12 ordinary men by John Macauther. It is really good. Then I ate half a pizza while watching the movie Cars. Then I talked with Amee and took a nap till more hikers showed up. Oh, I also helped Hopeful by vacuuming and making the beds. lol. I dont mind helping out, since I was resting all day. Currently there are 6 hikers here plus me. I just ate my other half of my pizza and will be enjoying my pint of Ben & Jerry's real soon. This is the 2nd best hostel to date. Kincora holding the top spot.

I guess this was the summer home of a washington doctor built in the 30's, then the patc bought it up.

Tomorrow I plan to hike past 1000 miles and maybe even into Harper's Ferry. Yeah! Then I will determine if I will go on or stop there.

Shepherd.