Toots & Burpples

Finally we have decided on trail name for my hiking companions for the past 4 days, so I can finally show them to you.

On the left we have Toots (Mel), who finally let me name her today. She didnt care for my previous name...Muddy Legs.

On the right we have Burpples (Jenna), who has finally decided on a trail name today. She first called herself Jade, then switched to Snickers at Neels gap. Then later on she introduced herself as not having a trail name at lunch today. So, I spent the rest of the day thinking of one for her. I came up with Belch, due to her constant burping. But she decided on a more feminine name of Burpples.

Burpples even showed me how to hang a bear bag last night!

Shepherd

Ruby Tuesday

Well I am finished doing my grocery shopping, and my laundry just finished! Perfect timing, eh. Still to early to eat just yet, so I thought I would show you who gave me my trail name!

Ruby Tuesday! He is a great guy out of Gainsville, Florida. He worked in an outfitter store, and he was very knowledgeable about hiking gear. He also plays harmonica and guitar in a band back home, and he actually brought his harmonica with him. He is pretty good! Hope you come up with a band name.

Thanks for signing my guest book Ruby. I hope your blisters are doing better. His blisters were the size of his thumbs! I hope your are still on the trail. Lord willing, we will see each other again. Godspeed!

Limestone & Juno

Day 10. Good morning.

We all slept well in the shelter...no mice to speak of. I had my peppermint oil out as well! Chilly & windy.

Also I wanted you to meet Limestone & Juno. They are originally from Washinton, but have moved around for Limestone's job in the forrest service. They also lived in Juno, Alaska...where they came up with their names.

Scott...havent seen any Balds yet. I think our first one is tomorrow. Wayah Bald.

Shepherd

Mule

Good morning & happy St. Patricks day. Well about to start off the day after eating a hearty breakfast at Rivers End. Scott mentioned that this morning will be tough...going up about 3500 ft in about 6-8 miles! Yeah baby. But I keep telling myself it is all down hill after that!
Well you maybe wondering what the picture is about. Any guesses to what type of fungus it is. I picked it because there is an interesting story to go with it, plus it is green for st. patty's day. I will give the answer tomorrow. Ok now the rest of the story.

Well I met this guy back on day 5. He started the trail caarrying a 65 lb pack! That is twice the weight of mine! Way to heavy for a thruhiker, hence he was quickly named Mule! When I met him, he had it down to 57 lb. Well the other interesting and odd thing about him was that he was on a 500 dollar budget for his thruhike! So in order to save money, he had beeen collecting the fungi in the picture & eating them with his food!

Happy Bday Eric! Hike on!

Popeye

Good Morning. Day 14. Thanks for all the encouraging comments! It is amazing what a restful night in the shelter & some company will do for your spirits. Also today is only 12.8 miles. I think every thruhiker gets some doubts in the first week or two, it is just a matter of pushing through. This trek is something you cant prepare for at home, you just have to experience it. Plus I know that God wont give me any more than I can handle.

Well I also want you to meet Popeye, who is about a day behind me, so hopefully he'll catch up. He is from NJ, and is retired. He thruhiked it in 2001, then attempted it again last year. But, he had a heart attack on the trail 11 miles outside of Erwin. So he hiked the remaining 11 miles & hitched a ride to the hospital which confirmed the heart attack. So, now he is back again this year with proper heart meds, and a hiking buddy, Captain Jack. More on him tomorrow. Both are really good guys.

Shepherd

California Joe

A Tribute To California Joe:

One fine morning, CJ & I were hiking the AT in the Smokies just outside Ice water Shelter. We were walking a ridge line at about 6000 ft, when I was suddenly startled by a huge Kodiac bear, which must of escaped from the Gatlinburg Zoo. Well as I was reaching for my camera, I slipped on the icy trail and fell off the ridgeline. I soon found myself dangling 6000 ft up grasping only to a young pine sampling that was struggling to stay attached to the cliff.

After California Joe bravely fought off the Kodiac bear with his Leki poles & dashing good looks, he noticed the dire peril I was in. With no regards to his own life, he quickly thrust out his Leki pole to my outstretched hand. I grasped it just as the sappling gave way, and he pulled me to safety. Then we continued our journey on the AT. California Joe - they should name a shelter after him!

The people in the story are real, however the events were fictious purely for your entertainment.

Shepherd

Pearls & Jing-Jang

This is Pearls and Jing-Jang. Pearls got her name due to her beautiful smile, and I am not sure how Jing-Jang got his name. For the longest time, he was just Alex.

They are married and live in Danville, VA, which is just on the border of Virginia and North Carolina. They said they hang out in Ashville, NC a lot. I had to wait to upload their picture because I didnt have them on my cell phone, only my camera.

They are a few days behind me due to Pearls having really big blisters. She was also the one who had hypothermia early in the hike! She is doing well, and I hope they are still on the trail!

Shepherd.

Willie Boy

Good morning.

This is Willie Boy, who I met 4 days ago at Kincora hostel. He lives in Chicago.

Found out that he has 4 brothers that live in Lafayette, and that I actually work with one of them at Home hospital. His name is Chris DeFabio. I dont believe I have ever met him, but some of my coworkers knows him. It is a small world.

Well he is also thruhiking, and is doing well.

Beautiful morning so far. Not sure how far I will hike today.

Shepherd

Widowmaker & Molassas

This is Widowmaker & Molassas. I met them at Wise shelter. Widowmaker thru-hiked in 2007 & actually met Lakewood. Small world. He brought Molassas out for a 4 day hike through the highlands to Damascus. He got his trailname after a tree fell on him when he was sleeping before Neel's gap.

They are both from Ohio. OH - IO. lol. It was molassas' first night on the AT. She hardly got any sleep during the night cause she kept hearing the mice and the animal prowling around our shelter. We told her it will get better & she will get sleep soon.

They are both believers in Christ, which was pretty cool. Got to hear Widowmaker's testimony. To God be the glory.

Cowboy Killer

This is the infamous Cowboy Killer...aka Sam. He grew up in Maryland but goes to school at Georgia Tech.

He got his name after killing a cowboy in Reno. lol. No he actually got it because he smokes a lot, and CJ named him Cowboy Killer. Cause cigarettes killed the Marborlo Cowboy.

So the you have it.

Shepherd.

Dynamite

This is Dynamite, who is from New Hampshire. He use to go to Cornell but is transfering to UNH I believe. He Plays soccer and is a goalie. He has a trail journal on trailjournal.com.

He got his trail name cause he looks like Napolean Dynamite.

Shepherd.

Dartman

This is Dartman. I met him on day 31. He thru-hiked in 2001 and actually hiked with a hiker named shepherd. I actually got to talk with 2001 shepherd. Too funny.

He is a very nice guy who loves to talk and eat ramps, which he will tell you about. Ramps are like a wild onion that can be found on the trail. Adds flavor to trail food.

He got his trail name cause he carried his own darts with him on his 2001 hike, and actually played some games in the northeast.

Shepherd.

Captain Jack!

This is the infamous Captain Jack. The finest pirate on the trail. He is from New Jersey, and is a great guy. He is a few days behind though.

He is hiking with Popeye. They did some section hikes together in the past.

He got his trail name cause he looks like Captain Jack from the movie. This picture probably doesnt do him justice.

Shepherd.

Team Deutschmark & Me!

Day 55: 4/28. Officially hiked 26.2 to Pinefield Hut Shelter. I am now 883.7 miles from Springer & 1292.5 miles from Katahdin. We broke under the 1300 mile barrier.

Today the trail was very nice and graded well. The only thing was that it rained pretty much all day. Nice! We did dry out a bit at the end of our hike.

Yeti, Bad Hummus, Toddy Bear, South Side, Snickers & Energizer Turtle are here tonight. All of us NOBO's. Missing hanging with CJ though.

Missed our first wayside cause we thought they were only open on the weekends. Bummer. We still have 3 more to hit. They are restraunts just so ya know. :-)

Saw 6 more deers today which brings my total to 25.

Shepherd.

Jigsaw & Jaybird

Day 56: 4/29. This is Jaybird & Jigsaw, who are section hikers headed for Harper's Ferry. Jigsaw has been at it for 12 years & Jaybird has been out for 8 years. They are a 20 year plan. Dedication! Jigsaw saw 2 black bears today & Jaybird got some pictures. Hopefully we will see some tomorrow.

Today we crossed the 900 mile mark! Unreal. I cant believe I have been hiking for 900 miles. Actually, officially we are at 904.3 miles from Springer & 1271.9 miles from Katahdin. Only 6 more days till I get to see Amee in Harpers Ferry!

Hiked with Bad Hummus, Yeti, Toddy Bear & Stovie today. Cold and windy. Glad I have my winter gear! It is going to get below freezing tonight.

Lakewood: That would be cool to meet somewhere in PA. My number is 765-589-8220. If it works out just text me and let me know what you think. If not, no big deal. I am glad to have your advice & encouragement.

Shepherd.