Nothing Like a nice Sunny Start to a thru hike. And this was nothing like a sunny start.
We met Doug Eastman and his dog Jennie on the first day. We hiked together for most of the first month.
Here I am with Molly Rose now known as Ruach:
In Georgia and the part of North Carolina before the Smokies we travelled through a string of Wilderness areas.
These photos were taken from the top of Alberts mountain. From the South, it is a scramble. I was very proud to have made it over the top and discover I had completed my first 100 miles.
Trout Lillies
On the way to the highest point on the AT.
Clingman's Dome the highest point on the AT at 6,643'
Our first pine forest starts at about 6000' this far south.
Wild Iris
Sometimes gaps have ice cream!
I have hiked on and off with Foodtruck and She Wee. Here we are on a knife edge ridge with a 360 view.
I have walked 300 miles and I have walked 5000 more
Leaving the Laurel General Store and hostel was gorgeous. The hillside was blooming in 500 shades of green with Trillium and violets.
At the top I found deep purple larkspurs, and even better cell service. I talked to Kevin for an hour at this spot. North Carolina and ATT don't get along.
Utah and I camped in this high meadow near a bald called Beauty Spot
On one rainy day I discovered a whole hillside of Dutchman's Breaches. So many there was a lovely fragrance. I have never seen that many
After climbing up and over Roan Mountain I reached the Roan Highlands, a series of bald peaks that were amazingly beautiful.
Way up high I discovered this flowering plant. Do any of you know what it might be?
Yeah! Done with North Carolina. 75 miles of Tennessee and I will be in Virginia!
The red barn has been converted to the Overmountain Shelter. It is at the confluence of the Overmountain Historic Trail and the AT.
The trail goes ever on and on
Roads Go Ever On
Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.
Roads go ever ever on,
Under cloud and under star.
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen,
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green,
And trees and hills they long have known.
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone.
Let others follow, if they can!
Let them a journey new begin.
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.
Still 'round the corner there may wait
A new road or secret gate;
And though I oft have passed them by,
A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon, East of the Sun.
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.
Roads go ever ever on,
Under cloud and under star.
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen,
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green,
And trees and hills they long have known.
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone.
Let others follow, if they can!
Let them a journey new begin.
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.
Still 'round the corner there may wait
A new road or secret gate;
And though I oft have passed them by,
A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon, East of the Sun.
by JRR Tolkien
Kevin drove all the way to Hampton TN to spend the weekend with me. We went to Damascus, VA and are now spending time together in Elizabethtown. Tomorrow I will start hiking again. Next time I will be in Virginia!
