I’m waking up in a warm bed for the first time in a week. and it feels weird and so great to be clean and warm.
Over the past week I covered about 55 miles and my knee (though still braced) is working like a champ. I got back on trail at Unicoi Gap in Georgia on Tuesday and crossed into North Carolina on Friday afternoon. I spent a couple great days on the trail with a hiker from New Hampshire named Atlas who looks like Grizzly Adams and reminded me endlessly of my Boston brother David. Not the exact accent, but he says “wicked” a lot. A couple days into my recovery hike, while waiting for (another) deluge of cold rain to stop, my buddies Red Baron and HomeMade rolled into the shelter. We’ve been hiking together ever since.
The trail changes the crowd you hike with, but each new person is always a great new friend. If you ever want to meet the kindest, most thoughtful and most genuine people, find a long trail and hike, or just grab some candy bars and sodas and drive to the intersection where a long trail meets a road and talk to a few thru-hikers. They smell horrible, but are the proof that humanity did not die in a road rage incident.
Tomorrow (on my 53rd birthday!) I will set foot on the trail headed through NC and bound for the Smoky Mountains. Today, I am going to find a place to eat a whole pizza and drink some more beers at Lazy Hiker Brewing.
Happy Trails!
Peace. Love. Hiking. – Elfmeister
12 responses to “First 100 Miles in the Bag”
Happy birthday Guy! Hope you have an excellent day of adventure. I’ve been checking in daily and have been loving the pictures and entries. Take care. 🤘
Thanks Eric! Having a great time. Think about you often my brother! Miss ya.
Happy Birthday and thanks for the shoutout! Love reading your posts. Gina and I check everyday. Keep up the good work.
Thanks! Miss ya both. So great to hear from ya!
Happy Birthday!!! Enjoying the journal and your journey from a far. Glad you found some beer, pizza, and most importantly great humans. Keep it up and keep posting. Stay strong and safe
Great place to have a birthday. Can’t wait to get to the top of some NC balds today!
Happy Birthday! What a great way to spend one! You’re moving along nicely. Enjoy the Smokies!
Thanks Dave! One of the prettiest places to age one more year. Onward to the Great Smokies!
Happy Birthday! Hope you are having fun…because to me it would be torture!
Happy Birthday. Looks like your having fun.
Happy belated birthday Guy! Great pics! I really can’t tell if you’re excited or not LOL!!
Thank you Bret! Miss ya bro.