Entering the Great Smoky Mnts

Day 15. California Joe & I braved the upcoming storm that called for all day rains, sustained winds of 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 miles & possibility of snow in the mnts. We are crazy! Well the rains came and we got soaked.

We stayed in the Russel Field Shelter with Starbucks & Tom and his 2 kids, Cooper & Chandler. We did get a fire a going which allowed us to get all of our stuff dry! Praise God.

We also passed the 2000 mile mark We are officially 1998.8 miles away from Katahdin. Yeah.

Peppermint oil worked again Scott! Unreal.

In the morning everything was white with snow and freezing fog! Very cool.

Shepherd

Winter Wonderland in the Smokies

Day 16. Hiked 16.4 miles to Double Spring Shelter. Everything was beautifully white as seen in the picture. We are 193.8 miles officially from Springer & 1982.4 from Katahdin. We are up in the 5000 foot ranges today, with beautiful ridge line views. Tomorrow we will summit Clingman's Dome at 6643 ft and be up over 6000 ft for most of the day.

We are with Pocket Change & Chris, who are thruhikers as well. They plan to go into Gatlinburg tomorrow to resupply and watch a movie. Not CJ & I's plan! Got another fire going tonight. Miss everybody, but amazing what 3 days will do for you.

I didnt think I would like the Smokies, but so far I am loving it here! To God be the glory!

Shepherd

Clingman's Dome

Day 17. California Joe & I surfaced to civilization today at Newfound Gap. It is full of tourists here, and we even got our picture taken by a very astonished couple from Chicago. They could believe we have been hiking for 17 days straight.

Today we summitted Clingmans Dome. The highest point on the AT at 6643 ft. It was a great day to view!

Also at lunch we crossed the 200 mile mark on the trail! We are staying at Ice Water Spring shelter tonight, which is 207.6 miles from Springer.

We have about 2 more days of the Smokies, and are on schedule to get to Hot Springs on Tuesday. God Bless. Hope the Passion Play is going well. To God be the glory.

Shepherd.

The Smoky Mountain Trail

Here is another video taken along a ridgeline in the Smokies. Hope you enjoy. You may have to press play a couple of times to view. God bless.

Note: although I didnt fall here in this video. A mile section coming down from Clingman's Dome was like a solid river of ice, and I did fall on my bum once then. Thankfully some of my pack broke my fall too! All that was hurt was my pride! lol.

Shepherd.

Shenandoah National Park!

Day 54: 4/27.

AT Hiker fee: Blood, sweat & blisters.

Officially entered into the Shenandoah NP today. Yeah. I have so far mixed feelings about the park. I will give it another day before I comment more on it. I did see 4 bunnies in the park.

I did 27.8 miles today, which puts me at 857.5 miles from Springer & 1318.7 miles from Katahdin. My second longest day so far.

I caught back up to Strides, & met Team Deustchmark, who is Yeti, Bad Hummus & Toddy Bear. They have been a couple days ahead and been complaining that no one has caught up to them yet. They are pretty funny. CJ & I were going to call us Team Dollar Bill to rival them. lol.

It is suppose to get down in the 30's the next couple nights and rain is in the foecast tomorrow.

Shepherd.