Blog

[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-05-17 13:58:54]
Sorry for the lack of updates! I am currently in New Jersey, recouping at my parents' house. It has been a busy couple weeks that I have spent away from the trail, spending time in Virginia, New Jersey, and Boston, seeing friends, attending a wedding, and spending a lot of time with Matt. It seems like there is just too much going on in my real life at this time to be able to spend six months on the trail, away from everything! I will be heading down to Northern Virginia to meet up with Rocko next weekend, and may be joining her for a bit, but it looks like my full thru-hike of the AT will have to wait a few more years. I am happy that I've been able to hike as much of the trail as I have - I learned a lot about myself and some cool tips and tricks of the trade along the way, but right now my focus is on finding an apartment and getting settled before my job starts in late August. Hopefully I'll spend some more time on the trail before that time, but I will be saving Maine and the "finale" until I have done everything before it. Thanks to everyone for your support throughout - it has meant a lot to me!!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-04-23 11:51:00]
Made it to Damascus on Saturday morning, but haven't gotten around to updating! We hiked our first over 20 mile day on Friday - 22 miles! Thursday was 18.5, leaving just 10 to get into town on Saturday morning. Rocko and I arrived in time for a yummy lunch at Dot's Inn before we met up with our significant others who came down to visit! We shared a two-bedroom cottage right in the center of town which was great fun! Unfortunately, Beaker had to leave the trail last Wednesday at the Kincora Hostel, due to bad knee problems. It looks like she will need some surgery - yuck! I am taking a little time off from the trail, too, because I feel sick. But Rocko keeps trekking on, and I can't wait to catch up to her soon.
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-04-14 18:16:35]
Back hiking in the snow! Gorgeous views and a much warmer shelter tonight, thank goodness. This shelter is an old barn, and yes Claire, itit is red. :) We are staying warm in our sleeping bags already so I am going to read and finish my hot cocoa. Think warm thoughts for us!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-04-13 22:38:50]
Well it snowed all day today and we were SO cold at the shelter on top of the mountain that we hiked past it to a real highway and grabbed aride to a cheap hotel in a small Tennessee town. Sounds like the weather is going to stay really crummy, so we will see what happens next.
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-04-12 20:52:53]
It is great to be back! I missed the trail a lot. Did an easy four or so miles yesterday and then 16.5 today including a mountain over 5000feet! Tomorrow Rocko and I tackle Roan Mountain, the last time we will be over 6000 feet until Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Tonight weare camped with our new two-person tarp in an old apple orchard. Let's hope the snow holds off until we are settled tomorrow night!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-04-09 22:12:07]
Ok so departure has been moved to friday :( but being back in technology has made me realize how great it is when trail journals are updated more often so I will try my best to get over my hatred of text messages and send them to update! More soon from the trail!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-04-08 23:11:35]
Looks like I will begin heading south tomorrow to meet up with the girls before Erwin, TN! Thursday morning Beaker's boyfriend and I are meeting up in Roanoke, VA, where my lovely parents are driving me (again). I am excited to get back on the trail later on Thursday! I feel confident about my ankle with the day hikes that Matt and I have done on and near the AT in New Jersey since I've been home. It will be hard to sleep tonight and tomorrow night.... anticipation is a killer!!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-04-02 19:08:38]
I'm still having minor ankle problems in addition to a slight case of mental exhaustion, so I'm recouping in New Jersey for the rest of the week, hoping to meet up with the girls and the rest of our hiking friends in Hot Springs, NC, at the end of this weekend! Had a fun drive north from the Smokies, getting to stop in Knoxville for some real barbecue and visit former colleagues at Foxcroft School - can't wait to stop by again at the end of May when I'm on the northern Virginia part of the trail! Best wishes to y'all!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-03-27 18:42:20]
Tomorrow we return to the trail after nearly a week-long hiatus. I strained some tendons near the heel of my right foot last week, and a few 14-, 16- and 17-mile days got the better of it. My ankle swelled up so much we couldn't tell it apart from my calf! Luckily I had a good emergency room experience, and we have been able to visit friends throughout the Asheville, NC, area while we have been resting. Much fun has been had by all, but we are very ansty to return to the trail! We are reentering the trail at Fontana Dam, NC, and heading into the Great Smoky Mountains. The plan is to go slow and steady for a week, and hopefully there will be no more swelling! Thanks again for all of your messages and thoughts... I may need them!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-03-19 01:13:54]
Spent our first "zero" day today here at Cloud 9. Beaker and Rocko have some crazy, slightly infected blisters, so we decided to take the time off now in order to continue hiking at our great pace later. We have enjoyed a bigscreen tv, jacuzzi and amazing pizza, as well as a trip into the nearby town of Hiawassee, Georgia, where we ate sushi! Beaker and I filled out men's NCAA brackets, so we are excited to hear how the tourney plays out. Maybe we will end up being able to catch a game here or there, but I'm calling for West Virginia upsetting Duke in the second round, Louisville upsetting UNC, and UCLA winning it all. Call me crazy, but hey - I already know that - otherwise I probably wouldn't be spending the next five plus months hiking! Tomorrow we are off to the North Carolina border. Apparently once we cross it there are no more switchbacks - we just go straight up and over the mountains! We'll leave that until the following morning. Most of North Carolina is above 4500 ft., so the elevation change will be substantial, but once we are accustomed to it, we should be doing steady 11+ mile days. And then we enter the Smoky Mountains, where we have been warned to expect snow and ice and lots of bears - we're excited and anxious, but I'm sure it will be great! Healthy and happy thoughts go out to all! Thanks for the messages - supportive thoughts help on the long, steep hauls, both ups and downs, the latter of which is harder with a 35+ pound pack on your back!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-03-17 18:18:24]
Today is St. Patty's Day and we have grabbed a shuttle over to an awesome hostel called Cloud 9 near Hiawassee, Georgia. We are only 8 miles or so from North Carolina - how exciting it will be to cross our first state line on the trail! We have already been showered and taken into town to get yummy food for the big feast tonight! Beer, fresh-caught rainbow trout, and other delicious goodies will be enjoyed by a huge crew of hikers amassed from nearly 30 or so miles of the trail! We are healthy and happy and excited about everything ahead... hopefully the positivity continues! Enjoy the holidays and best wishes to all!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-03-15 18:00:00]
Well it was a cold, rainy day today. Thunderstorms and lightning abounded. We decided to cut the day short and stay in a dry shelter rather than deal with trying to put our tent up in the rain. So far it has been nice to enjoy hot drinks and curl up in our bags since 2pm. Hope tomorrow brings warmer and DRIER weather!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-03-13 23:00:00]
Having a blast on the trail! We hiked the tallest mountain on the AT in georgia today so that means the rest of the state is downhill, no? Camping at the infamous Mountain Crossings where the trail actually runs through the building! Met some awesome people along the way and starting to break into hiking groups. Enjoyed a great got shower and even doing laundry tonight! Also got our first mail drop - Yum! Been eating great! Hope all are happy and healthy. Take care and keep me in your thoughts!
[Posted by dream2hike - 2008-03-09 12:00:00]
Atlanta, here we come! You better bet we'll be excited about hiking after sitting on a bus for nearly twelve hours!