July 18-July27

Note: Loz, Todd and I just returned from visiting with Pinkfire and Jenga for two nights at Cave Mountain campground. Todd and I had the joy of seeing Jenga for the first time since June 1, and the fun of meeting Pinkfire, who was pleasant and entertaining. We did our best to fill them and their backpacks with food before they went on their way. Loz had a reunion with her trail partners, and if her foot continues to heal, plans to return by next weekend. -Alyson

July 18
Tough six miles up out of Pearisburg today...at 3:00 we reached rice field shelter. We read in the log book how beautiful it is at night time, so we voted to stop and appreciate the location. The H2O source was a ridiculous .4 miles downhill, but H2O, as we all know, is a necessity. I'm currently cooking ramen-all by myself! This is the 3rd dinner I will have cooked since I've been out here. It turned out awfully good. Off to watch the sunset-city lights and stars come out.

July 19
Well, well, well-where to begin? I woke up at 6 am to watch an absolutely spectacular sunrise. Left the shelter by 8 with a long 25 mile day in mind. Beautiful terrain the first 12 miles. Met our friends Bob and Kevin slackpacking-SOBO for the day-they warned me not to stop at the shelter due to a weird person there. So I ate lunch a little past it. Then, I found another sign warning me that the stony creek bridge was out. So of course, decided to attempt to ford the stream. I got across-no problem (boots actually off this time) and I washed off in the stream. An hour or so later, Pinkfire made it successfully across as well. His shin was bothering him, so we chilled by the stream at least another hour, deciding that our 25 mile day would come another time. 4:45-I decided to tackle the mountain- 1.5 miles, 1000' + climb. I tried to do it without breaking a sweat, but think that it's impossible. Eventually got to Bailey's shelter. Got stung by a bee-yuck! and super annoyed by gnats, flies, mosquitos, etc. Pinkfire showed up, and we decided this shelter is no good, so pulled out at 6:45 pm with thunder beginning to be heard. Oh, the night is young. We booked it 4 miles (rocky trail like PA) to get to a great camping spot on top of windy rock. .2 miles before the summit, we meet at least 100 pioneer dressed people on a dirt rod traveling with hand carts. They were very friendly and offered us H2O and talked to us for a while. When we left, we couldn't help but laugh. Got to Windy Gap around 8:30 in time to see a wicked lightning storm 3 mountains away and headed towards us. We're in a tight spot. Nearly dark and lightning, so we eat a snack and finally vote to make a run for the next shelter, which is 5 miles away. HA. My headlamp is CRAP for night hiking, so we had to take it real slow. Pinkfire tried to help, looking back when rocks and stuff were there- but I still managed to turn both ankles and land flat on my butt once. It got pretty rocky and difficult so we stopped to jury-rig my hand held maglight to by headlamp band-What a difference! WOW! No falls after that. We found the shelter-empty, thank goodness, at about 10:45. 5 miles, in the dark, in an hour and 45 minutes. Wow. So we cooked dinner, read the log book, chillaxed and stretched-in bed by midnight. What a day-my longest yet.

July 20
Happy 21st Andrea Settle
So ya'll are gonna laugh when you read about today compared to yesterday. Well, we woke up around 11 am, ate lunch and such and slowly rolled out around 1 pm. Met a HUGE uphill section (2000' up) and took a nice long break at Kelly's Knob at the top. Called the Meadville Tribune reporter from there and answered some interview questions. Finally made it down the hill to Laurel Creek Shelter- 5.8 miles for the day HA! Had a lovely campfire and cooked our dinners over the open flames. Nice relaxing day.

July 21
It's Friday-the weekend-where are all the hikers? We saw 0 people today-but I did spot buck #3-about 4" spikes up on the ridge today. Pinkfire said he saw a little rattlesnake too. Ah-and the highlight of the day-in memory of Tyler's cravings-mixed berries! Yes, it's true, I took time out of my busy walking schedule to pick both black raspberries and blueberries-and I even put some into a bag to consume for dessert later in ghe evening. What a delightful form of natural trail magic. So after a 10 am (Why so late again, you ask? Because we just slept so well, its hard to get up) We hiked 12.4 for the day-more than double what we did yesterday. Perhaps we'll double that tomorrow? Who knows. Niday Shelter is pleasant-fewer bugs than we've been accustomed to recently. In fact, we've been setting the tent up inside the shelter to escape the bugs. They can get so bad that I'd rather be hiking up a gigantic mountain than sitting around being eaten by bugs.

July 22
Slept well last night. Set my goal at 16 miles down the road for a cheeseburger for dinner. During those 16 miles, saw buck #4, velvet still on his antlers. Got to the place they call Dragon's Tooth. A Beautiful 360 degree view-spectacular. Called home from there, and not 15 minutes after I hung up, the skies let loose. I decided rather than run it out (rocks were intense up there) that I would hunker down under some trees with my pack cover and raincoat. I somehow managed to keep my boots and pack pretty dry-so 20 minutes later when the rain let up a little, I scrambled down the crazy wet cliffs. Only fell once and bruised my knee-no biggie. Eventually got to the grocery store around 5:40 pm. Ate a cheeseburger and some Dr. Pepper. Sat outside and watched more torrential downpours. Called home and got them all worried cuz I didn't know where I'd sleep tonight. Pinkfire didn't show by 7 pm, so I took my only cheap, logical option and ran... 7 miles in 2 1/2 hours. It was ridiculous-I didn't want to, but I had no other options. The sunset was beautiful and I only had to headlamp for the last mile. Not bad for a 23.5 mile day that began, once again, at 9 am. Mornings are tough, ya know?

July 23
What a spectacular day! Woke up around 8ish...took a lazy, slow 2.3 miles up to McAfee's Knob for lunch-another mile down to Campbell's shelter where I laid on the porch for over an hour, chatting with various people and writing in the log. Left there around 2 and made it 1000' up to Tinkercliffs, so far my favorite view/chill out place. I fell asleep on the cliffs for at least an hour-so nice! Walked the last 1.1 miles of my 9.3 mile day down to Lambert's Shelter-met up with "The Virginia Creepers" and ate 2 dinners. Still awaiting Pinkfire-hoping he catches me before town so I can give him Loz's food...we'll see how things play out tonight and tomorrow morning. This is my 50th night on the trail!!

Well, have no fear folks...9:40PM, a happy little headlamp walks into the shelter. Cooks some dinner, baits the shelter mice with macaroni and we throw rocks at them and around midnight-everyone is tucked in their sleeping bags and life is good.

July 24
Happy Birthday Chad.
Well, today began, as most recent mornings have, around 10:30 am. After much encouragement, I coaxed Pinkfire out of his sleeping bag and into his boots. That usually means it's safe for me to depart and still see him later in the day. So I set off-10 miles into Daleville, VA. I passed the "Virginia Creepers" and made it to the main road by 2:30/3:00 (After I had washed off in a stream .5 miles before) and as I was strolling along the highway, getting stared at by every car that passed, I heard a loud, "YO!" Pinkfire had caught up. We easily agreed to hit up Wendy's first. I had high hopes of at last tasting a vanilla Frosty-but no luck. Pinkfire quickly devoured 4 Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers and a large french fry. Next stop, the outfitters to see if they knew anyone who would shuttle me to the Troutville PO 2-3 miles away. A phone call later, Trail Angel "Del" agrees to pick me up in 1/2 hour. YAY! After playing with Sydney, the dog at the outfitter's, and getting my mail drop and purchasing brand new hiking underwear, we headed for a quick stop at Kroger's next door. Cantaloupe and milk were all I needed so our next goal of the day: Showers, laundry and call home. Our obvious choice was to head to the truck stop-sad to find out you had to be a truck driver to purchase a shower there. Pinkfire immediately scored a free shower, so I set to work on the laundry. After he showered, he ranted and raved so much about how good it felt, that I felt compelled to try my luck. (By this time it's after 7:30 pm, and we don't know where we're sleeping yet) so I made friends with a trucker and got a free shower card also. Clean hiker=happy hiker. By 9:00 our laundry is finally done, and the guy that got me a free shower asked us to have coffee with him. He was born in Germany, grew up in Switzerland, went to school at GA Tech, a VERY interesting 33 year old Jewish Guy named Isad (Issac). So at 11:00PM, we finally left that truck stop and tried to get some dinner at Hardee's but no luck...they were closed. So, back to a different truck stop for a Subway dinner-Yum Yum.

Random Rant:
Believe it or not, I've met more people out here hiking the AT that chain smoke than I know in my real life. I can't understand it...the woods are so stress free and yet people find the need to harm their lungs while strengthening muscles. An imponderable for you all.

July 25
Well, when you go to bed after 2 am, don't expect to get rolling too early the next morning. We woke up around 10:30/11:00 AM, when the rain started to pound against the tent. Pinkfire asked me what I wanted to do...I said, It'll probably stop in an hour. So we lazed around in the hot tent. Pinkfire pulled out his needle and thread to make repairs to his sleeping bag. By a little after noon, the rain did let up, so we packed up and headed onward by 1 PM. We cut the day short at 9 miles, due to a late start and town sickness. Nothing hurt, just a bigger day tomorrow.

July 26
Mark this day down in infamy folks...for unknown reasons, Pinkfire arose at 6 am and broke camp by 6:45. I asked him if he was ok, and he said yes. I left an hour later and caught up to him 2.5 miles down the trail. I think he's enjoying the scenery while I'm enjoying the exercise. I have this weird tendency-whenI know a huge 1000' or more climb is coming up, I challenge myself to make it to the tip-top without stopping or drinking water. It's quite fun. Anyways, crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway bunches today, 13 miles with no H2O available because we stayed at such high elevations. Made it easy to do 20ish miles today. Bryant Ridge Shelter is absolutely AMAZING! It's like a log house almost-so glad I get to stay here. Pinkfire hasn't made it yet-but it's only 9 PM-I'll give him another hour before I assume he tented somewhere for the night. Silly squirrels sound like deer and lizards sound like snakes when walking on the trails, but I did see buck #5 this evening. We played the staring game for quite a while-he was a big-bodied 6 point, still had velvet on his antlers. Mom and Dad are meeting us 10.3 miles from here, tomorrow night at 6PM. They are bringing Loz with them, as well as lots of food and cold drinks. But really, I am majorly looking forward to seeing my parents for the first time in 60-some days. Life is good here on the AT-hope everyone at home is enjoying their summer!

July 27
Had the palace to myself last night-but I slept well so it was all good. Got up aroud 8 AM and made some hot water for my oatmeal-normally I just enjoy it cold. Around 9 I headed out and up. A 2000' climb in the next 5 miles. Saw another buck-this was just a little 4 point-his ears were bigger than his spikes! Took lots of breaks and tried to slow myself down. Got to the next shelter and hung out for 2 hours. Cooked ramen for lunch-very unusual for me and at 1:30 I left for my last 5 miles of the day. Saw at least 1/2 dozen deer, all close, none scared. Made it to the "Guillotine" by 3:30 and decided to wait till 5 for Pinkfire to maybe catch up. We'll see- he's got 1/2 hour left right now. It's mid afternoon, late July, and I've got my raincoat on because I'm cold. What's wrong with me?

7/6-7/17

Loz finds a happy tree - or maybe two white blazes that got a little love.
This is an example of a shelter that we might have stayed at - but it was a little smaller than the ones we were used to. Actually - this one was called an emergency shelter and wasn't supposed to be used by normal thru-hikers...
The VA-TN border crossing - right before we got into Damascus, it just feels like such an accomplishment to walk through an entire state ya know?
Again, right before Damascus, we met some dogs - they are all begging for a bite of Loz's OCP. (oatmeal cream pie)
Loz admire's the view from one of the many grassy hilltops we crossed.
These pics look better when viewed bigger - I think if you click on them you can see them bigger... at least that's how it works on my computer.
Ah yes - the Mountains that like to hide in field clothes (aluding to the story of the wolf who hides in sheeps clothing) These hills looked all nice and friendly and easy because they were covered in grass. HA! They weren't.
Feral Ponies!
Yes - this was a wild baby pony that I befriended
They were so adorable!
Right before the Grayson Highlands - these wild ponies roam free
Ah - the Grayson Highlands themselves - probably all of our favorite section - they were absolutely stunning with rock formations, coniferous and deciduous trees and lots of wildlife... real sweet.
I guess it was threatening rain that day - but we got lucky and avoided it - as we did most of the summer. I think I had maybe 7 days with mentionable rain, out of 80.

The Grayson Highlands - sensational
Yup..
HA. This is called the Fat-Man Squeeze or something like that. We knew it was coming, so we were looking for it. We looked a little too hard! We actually walked past it, looked back and saw it and walked through and didn't realize we had gotten turned around and ended up walking 2 miles back the way we had just come. The terrain was beautiful so we enjoyed it - and were glad that if we had to get lost, at least it was in the most beautiful section of the lower half of the trail.
The bumble bees really liked Loz's boot - I think they were attracted by the beautiful smell and all the sweaty salt?
Icy cool waterfall - Loz tried to bathe - I just sat and read - there's no use cleaning up when you're just gonna sweat 10 minutes later... at least in my opinion
Cute little non-poisonous snake poses for a picture
Big smiles -
LIFE IS GOOD.
Pinkfire made the Damascus paper... aww what a cute, soft-spoken, clean, thoughtful, adorable picture of him eh?
Fire is fun... at Partnership shelter the last night on the trail w/ Loz
We lived it up - 2 liters all around - all the s'mores Loz could force down my throat, hot pizza... and there was even a shower attached to the shelter - that's not hiking, that's camping!
Toad hanging out by the privy
prolly another rattlesnake. Pinkfire's dad said I took too many pictures of rattlesnakes.. It's just that it was so exciting to see them, and have them sit and rattle at you.. I couldn't just pass them by without taking their pictures...
bright orange flowers...
a 'shroom

My favorite flowers EVER. Black-eyed susans. wow.
This is how they mark the trail when we go through fields and cow pastures and such
A little newt... I like newts because of Monty Python - "She turned me into a newt!" "a newt?" "... I got better."
The actual firepink flower
A moment in time captured on camera - This is right up among my top three favorite pictures from the summer. I took the picture and then looked up and the sun streak was gone... it was stunningly special.
This too is radiant - God is truly the master painter...
Pinkfire stops to jot down the words to a song he made up.. I think this was on a section of the trail that was extremely flat - weirdly cool.
Ah - A lot of people have said they like this picture. I remember the events of the evening better. We were headed like .8 miles past this spot, but as we crossed 1 road, we saw interstate 81 (the road pictured) and there was a small hill between the two roads. the hill had a delightfully flat top and it was almost sunset - so we made the decision to tent there that night. The cars were loud, but lulling - watching their headlights after dark was sensational - along with the fire we built, and the stars and fireflies. That was also the first night my mum talked to Pinkfire on the phone. It must have been shortly after Loz got off - when my parents were still adjusting to the fact that I was out there "by myself" Even though I really was hardly ever by myself - i ended up the entire summer spending only 3 nights completely alone.
The sunset from the aforementioned hilltop between the roads.
Yeah - it was a pretty one.
Another non-dangerous snake that I took a picture of.
Suspended bridge - very picturesque
reflections always intrigue me
Finally!!! I waited on the bridge at least an hour for this kid - because we were headed to "Trent's Grocery Store" for dinner - and it ended up that we tented and showered and did laundry there for 6$ each. Yeeeeah.
July 16th - Behind Trent's Grocery store in the tent/RV area - I finally convinced Pinkfire to cut my hair. Must have been 4-5 inches. My hairdresser said he did a pretty good job for just having a swiss army knife.
Rhodedendrons
Hello Mr. Snake
He always was climbing silly pointless rocks... only fell once that he admitted to me.
This is Tyson the rooster that Pinkfire adopted in Pearisburg. Although seemingly extravagant - he was a worthwhile companion that night for my birthday (well both Pinkfire and Tyson were good to have around) and Tyson actually made it to the shelter at mile marker 666 - I suppose we left him as a sacrifice to the devil? hmm...
Outside the "Magic Mart" or whatever it was called where we found Tyson.

July 12-July 17

July 12
Slept in a bit-ate cold pizza for breakfast. Said so long to Loz and headed out around 10. Made it the 11 miles to a truck stop by 3 and managed not to step on or over the biggest rattlesnake of my life (4' long, at least as thick as my arm). Found a TON of ripe blackberries in the open, sunny areas-picked a bunch, ate most, bagged some for dessert later. Got to the truck stop/restaurant and immediately got a small oreo sundae (Yum). Went outside (the A/C was too cold) and took a nap. Called home and the Meadville Tribune guy who was too busy to talk to me then. Around 5 I decided Pinkfire had no chance of getting there so I ordered dinner-chicken salad sandwich and mozerella sticks (more yum). Around 5:30 finally headed out-covered the 3 miles to the shelter in top speed (50 minutes) and met Pinkfire. We had some delectible cheese sandwiches and blackberries and peach rings, made a lovely fire and finally headed to bed. Good day, but I miss you Loz!!

July 13
We slept in a bit today (I didn't leave the shelter until 9:15). When I went out back to change my clothes, I discovered a long, thin black snake, which explains the lack of mice. Since there was no H2O at the shelter, and we had seen a sign warning hikers that the next water source was contaminated with a dead cow, we had a long debate over whether 1 liter would get us both 7 miles (uphill) or whether one of us should go back more than a mile to fill up. Probably unwisely, we decided to chance it and made it to the stream 3 1/2 miles ahead and found no dead cows. It was threatening rain all day-so we got to our lunch shelter (11 miles) and listened to the thunder roll from 3-3:30. Finally we decided to make the 9 more miles today and headed out. Ran into some Forest Service people and volunteers doing trail maintenance. The were all moving quite slow except for one guy, so I dogged him, trying to keep up. At the road, he said we had been walking over3 mph for the past 2 miles. He offered to fill up my H2O bottles if I came to their camp, boy was I glad I did! They also generously bestowed on me 4 snackies and an ICE COLD COKE. I felt bad drinking it by myself, so to their amazement, I pulled out my sleeping bag (aka refrigerator) and stuffed it inside to share with Pinkfire later on. From their camp it was 6+ miles and 2000+ feet to the next shelter. They estimated that I would make it in 2 hours (due to my 3 mph pace). 2hours and 15 minutes and very wet boots later, I made it. Sweet shelter-4 enclosed walls and a roof. What a night to get here too-it is raining in sheets, the wind is howling, thunder and lighting everywhere-so perfect! But both Pinkfire and I got here in time to cook our dinners outside before the storm hit. I cooked for the first time. Loz-you are such a great cook. I am not. Sad. I guess I'll learn as I go. And finally-I'll try to write down quotes-but I doubt they will be as good as Loz's.
Oh yeah, two other notable things..found blueberries today-ate all that I saw in honor of Loz. I just asked myself, "Self, what would Loz do?" ...Earlier today I crossed the half-way point of my trip.. 544 miles done.

July 14

"I don't want you to fall, but if you do, I want to watch." Pinkfire, as we crossed the same stream 12 times

Par usual, we got a LATE start out this morning (10 am) and we had in mind, oh, 24 miles. Yikes. So we booked it from 10 to a 3 pm lunch. Saw our first completely open privy there and drank a lot of H2O. After lunch about a mile, we had to decide whether to follow the signs posted for the last 40 miles about a bridge being out ahead and taking a blue blazed route, or being stubborn and possibly stupid and following the white blazes. Pinkfire let me decide...HA!...and on the white blazes we went. After 12 or more dangerous stream crossings, and tons of wet rhododendron tunnels, I understand how much of an impact slippery rocks can have on people. (Thus the town name of Slippery Rock, PA) So 5 miles later, we found the washed out bridge- I had all these images in my mind of fording Laurel creek, pack held high above my head...but, no. We could actually cross the creek with our boots on and we were fine. Well, fine minus the crazy thunder and rain storm that chased us all the way to the non-existent bridge. So now, we have roughly 9 miles to go and its raining. fun, slippery times. The trail leveled out beautifully (Pinkfire kept singing, "I love Virginia") and by 8 pm we were 2 miles from the shelter. Oh, before I forget...;by the washed out bridge-tremendous trail magic! A huge cooler full of icy apple and orange juice. So good! So at 8ish, we cross over this flat hill (flat on top) that overlooked some big interstate... and after 3 minutes of pondering, Pinkfire decided we could tent there. So neat!! Stars, cars, lightning, lightning bugs-and much later, a fire to roast our s'mores over. (See Loz, we did manage a fire). Talked to Loz and my mom on the phone and woke up only a few times throughout the night due to rain.
Saw a bear cub in a tree today. Only my 3rd bear of the trip. It quickly hurdled out of the tree and down the hill when we saw it.

July 15
Nice early start in the rain, and did 12 miles before lunch. Beautiful terrain. Loz, I tried so hard to eat all the blueberries I saw, but I failed. Alas. Saw the first buck of the trip-just a little spike, but still exciting. At lunchtime, we decided to cut our 26 mile day down to 19 and visit TRENT's grocery and campsite-showers and laundry and stay for $6. We ate cheeseburgers and drank lots of milk. So nice to be clean. We'll push those extra 7 miles or so to Monday and work up an appetite for Chinese food in Pearisburg- Good times.

July 16
Woke Pinkfire up at 7:30 this AM, planning to get some delicious hot breakfasts and hit the trail early. HA. They didn't open until 9:30, so we played with a kitty cat, read the paper and cut my hair. Yes, I finally convinced Pinkfire that I was serious. It was getting so heavy that I would get headaches during the day and the sweat and leaves and bugs and possibly ticks could happily make homes in it and I wouldn't have known. So...he cut off at least 4-5 inches, a full fistful of hair. And now my head is lighter and happier. So by the time we ordered breakfast we were quite hungry, so we each got our own 12" pizza. Yummy. We showered (again) and packed up and left shortly after noon. 15 miles later, 8:30 PM-Here I sit, sondering if city boy will make it before dark. In the meantime, a list of Pros and Cons of hiking by yourself:
PROS
You can eat all the blueberries you see
You see more wildlife (Birds and Deer)

CONS
No one sings to you
No one to appreciate you when you spot wildlife
You see more wildlife (Bears)
You get the full spider web and big fat black spider all in your face

"I mooed at her, then she mooed at me, then I mooed at her and she mooed at me." Pinkfire, telling me about the time he talked to a "queen" cow.

"The beet is the most intense of vegetables. The radish, admittedly is more feverish, but the fire of the radish is a cold fire, the fire of discontent, not passion. Tomatoes are lusty enough, yet there runs through tomatoes an under-current of frivolity. Beets are deadly serious." A random quote I found written on a shelter wall.

So, to end the night, Pinkfire showed up right around dark. We chatted, and he made stuffing for dinner and before too long, all was quiet. ZZZ

July 17
Woke up to a beautiful sunshiney day-8 or so miles away from Pearisburg. Hooray!
8:56 AM We're still at the shelter, but I just saw a wolf or a relly big coyote about 20 yards away. This section of the trail (past 9 miles) has had more wildlife than even the Smoky's. Got to town, ate chinese and milkshake at DQ. Got to the post office...Thanks everyone for the letters! Hopefully going to find some type of drink before we head back to the trail today. Apparently it is 93 degrees in the shade here in town. When we woke up this morning, we were actually chilly up in the mountains. Well, we've been taking up the table in the PO for at least the past hour- I suppose I better clean up my stuff. Fun event of the day- we went to Magic Mart and Pinkfire purchased a huge rooster lawn ornament. I believe he's named it "Tyson" and I'm anxious to see how far up the trail he makes it with us. Enjoying everyday out here-hope all is well in your world, too.
Jenga

6/24-7/4 pics.

This is the sidewalk in Hot Springs, NC - the trail actually goes right through the center of town - a small town 600-700 people, but still seemed wonderful to us woods-dwellers. The first thing we found when we get into town around 9 am on a saturday was a bake-sale. It was perfect.

In case you didn't know - you are on the AT.

Random tractor we found on the side of a road - took a break, ate something, thought about hiding in the cab part if it started to rain...

Ok - this was our first real run-in with rain. The first day out of hot springs. I had been using my raincoat to sleep on - and since Loz was insisting that we not walk till the rain stopped... (?) I wanted to keep my sleeping material dry. SOOO I sacrificed my already wet pack-rain-cover and converted it into a rain jacket. When I bent over to pee, I must have completely looked like a blue-shelled turtle. lol.

It was cold somedays! Thank you daddy for sending me a beanie - really wish I woulda had it in the Smoky's - they were brutal at night with just a 50 degree sleeping bag.
run little buddy!!
HA - this is still that rainy day - the first one out of Hot Springs. Loz kept insisting she didnt' want to wak in the rain. Pinkfire left around 11. I laid around till one and then couldn't take it and left - Loz wasn't pleased. I just went to the next shelter (7 miles) and planned to wait for her the next day - but she showed up and was like, let's roll - so we did 15 miles that day by 8:30 - we must of FLEW because the last 8 miles were done in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Loz's boots are on the left, covered by plastic bags and my calves are on the right - covered in mud because I kick my calves when I walk.
Awww... we ate lunch with Tyler on top of a beautiful bald - and leave it to Loz to catch the balds on fire as she cooked lunch - with a park ranger watching her no less. LOL.
They were pretty balds...

Ah yes - on the way off the bald - Loz decided she didn't like walking with healthy ankles, so she tripped on perfectly flat ground and turned her ankle. Luckily - the park ranger had just let me fill my water bottle with some ice to keep my water cold for drinking - but i had to sacrifice the ice and put it in a plastic bag to apply to Loz's swollen ankle. Within 1/2 hour she was up and walking again - but she's a tough chick.

People put AT signs all over - in trees, on the ground, on rocks... etc.

More pretty water. I think i mentioned this earlier - I love cold, moving water.

I can still do backbends - the only thing I learned is that hiking gives you new ab muscles that you've never had before and you should try to stretch those out before doing backbends.

My lone copperhead of the trip. Stepped RIGHT OVER HIM w/o knowing it. ooops.
Tyler and Loz - didn't step over the copperhead as fast as I did and thus had to dodge their way around him so as not to die.

Loz in front of the muddy Nantahala River - that's me in the background... see?

That's Tyler sitting on a rock in the middle of the river...

Father and daughter that we met on the trail - I hiked with the daughter for a few hours and we stayed in a shelter with them one night.

Sweet trees and sunlight and nature stuff...

I think that's a deer - we didn't really see a lot of deers until we got into VA - then we saw more than we ever cared to.

Tyler's head is in there too...

I think Loz was a little tired when we got to the top of Roan Mountain (it was over 6000' up)

pinkfire shows Loz which way to go...
She's still confused.

AH... the Barn! there was a shelter that was just an old barn converted into a shelter - there were lots of deers, stars and fireflies there - and some weird animal that hung out around the fire after dark.. never did figure that one out.

mountains... ohhhh.... ahhhhh...

Loz walks...

The barn... getting closer...

Ah - yes - we're in it now... good times in there.

No I didn't fall - Loz was supposed to take a nice close picture of my face and my favorite flower - but now it just looks like i'm climbing off the trail into the grass. oh well.

Moths like sweat too maybe?

Yes - that's dirt on her shirt - and even pinkfire was grossed out by that. That was at a brand new shelter though - called.. "Mountaineer Falls Shelter" definitely in the top 5 as far as shelters go along the trail.

I just liked the name of this water source - the cascades themselvers weren't super spectacular

On the way to Laural Falls - where our youth group got their picture taken the year Loz came with us... oh the memories...
Laural Falls - I've been there 4 separate times now.

Karina hiked down to meet us! ! What a great surprise

Loz, Jenga and Karina - cute!

I can't believe Karina was willing to touch my pack - let alone try it on - but I guess for the sake of the picture, she had to...

Ice cream cake for my birthday! YAY!

Got to meet the roomies, and share the cake, and have a grand time being clean and eating ALOT!
AND Loz and I got to put on skirts for the first time in over a month... it felt amazing.