If I could not walk far and fast, I think I should just explode and perish. ~Charles Dickens

I guess after you have climbed Clingmans Dome it's downhill from there.  So in just a little over two weeks (March 20-April 6) Macon has covered 206 miles.  She texted that they should arrive at the intersection of the AT and U.S. 441 mid-day today.  Missy is leaving shortly to meet them.  We are hoping they will come back to Chattanooga for a couple of nights, get their clothes washed, re-supply, eat well, and rest for a day and a half.  I will take them back early Easter morning to resume their trek.  We will have updates later today.

Smokey Mountain Rain

To continue the Ronnie Milsap motif Macon and her gang have run into some thunderstorms in the Smokies. Macon texted Tuesday afternoon that she and her hiking buddies were at Russell field shelter in the Smoky Mountain Park. They’d stopped for an afternoon snack and a huge storm came in so they decided to stay. From the “Thru Hikers’ Campion 2012” book: “Park regulations require that you stay in a shelter… Between 400 – 600 bears reside in the park.” I had emailed her a story about a hiker in California that had been observing a bear and her cubs. He left the bears and was attacked by a mountain lion. The mother bear came to his rescue knocking the lion off of him. I assured Macon that it all works out in the end. So we’re glad to hear that Macon is following the rules and regs! She’s about 20 miles to Clingman Dome (elevation 6643’), the highest point on the AT. An observation tower provides 360-degree views. We’re waiting to hear where and when she wants to meet up Easter weekend.
They are west of here by a few miles;

View Spence Field in a larger map

Smokey Mountain Pain

Macon, aka "Daystar" has texted her mother that the Smokies are a tough terrain and her pace has slowed quite a bit.  Now she is thinking Gatlinburg on Friday"ish" or Saturday.  We will have updates later in the week as her group slogs through some of the most difficult part of the hike in the South.  I will meet her for the weekend so she and her group can shower, sleep, and celebrate Easter this weekend.  Ronnie Milsap thought they hurt a lot as well so feel free to sing along.

Happy Birthday Trail Dog Zeke

Today is Zeke's fifth birthday.

 He has been an adventure dog his whole life.

Even when he was a little fella,

he liked to run and explore.

  He started when he was a little pup tackling hills,

 then on to canoe treks, then up and down trails.

 

   He either is super poky-puppy smelling every little thing or it is off to the races as he tugs at the leash anxious to move down the trail. 




Happy Birthday Zeke!

Daystar Debuts

Hey y'all, Macon here.

Up and ready to climb straight up about seven miles and up about 3000 feet. The past few days have been wonderful. After Hiawassee I took an easy six mile day and camped just before the GA/NC border. Monday I planned to head to Standing Indian Mountain campsite but stopped in at a shelter just before and decided to stay. I'd been weary of shelters before then but I'd met some great people, and it's fun to hike alone all day and gather with others in the evenings to share a meal and be social.

Tuesday I was feeling great, the weather was gorgeous - brisk but sunny - and the terrain wasn't too challenging so I did a good 19 mile day to Rock Gap Shelter. The highlight of the day was climbing up Albert Mountain - very steep, using all limbs, an invigorating challenge after so much gradual uphill. At Rock Gap I met a great group of guys that I've been hiking with since - Gribly, Davy Jones, and Pants on Fire (ed. note – all “trail names”)

Gribly named me Daystar - it's from a blessing that talks about how in the night there are many stars but in the day we just have the one day star (the sun). I've been such a hippy-dippy art director out here, constantly pointing out the beautiful light, so Gribs thought Daystar was fitting.

Anyway Wednesday morning we had a great breakfast and slack-packed up to Wayah Bald. Mom met us with homemade sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, pickles, snickers, and water. Davy got a fine $4 Malbec at Walmart earlier in the day, and we had a great evening watching the sunset on the tower. We spent the night there which was chilly but so awesome.

I need to move on now but I should get to Fontana Dam in two days and will try to write more - its tedious writing this out on my phone. Had a great time at the NOC, the Nanatahal Outdoor Center (http://www.noc.com/) but it’s almost 9, and the trail is calling me back!

More Wayah Bald

Macon sent some pictures of the tower on top of Wayah Bald.  Take a look at the tower where they spent Wednesday night.

 They had slack-packed up 5,000 feet to the tower and were tired from the incline so they stopped and had a easy night in the tower.

 Bill Bryson talks about the balds in his book, and what an odd occurrence they are, this plaque explains how balds came to be.  Click on the picture to expand its size so you can read the info.

 Getting ready for a return to the trail.

 The view Thursday morning is about what you would expect, and what motivates people to go outdoors and witness this kind of beauty for themselves.

 Macon up and ready to hike some more.

They have had a good couple of days of hiking and stopped at the Nantahala Outdoor Center               in Wesser, N.C., here to do laundry, clean up and get ready for the next leg of the trip. 

They are here on the map.

View Larger Map

Wayah Bald

Macon and a group of hikers caught the bus into

Franklin, N.C. this morning. 

Conveniently the bus is operated by a county commissioner

         

who takes the hikers to his restaurant where they had a scrumptious breakfast,

 

and on to his hotel if they need a bed and a shower. 

 

Missy caught up with Macon and her fellow hikers

later and took a group over to the Walmart to resupply. 

Final touches of packing the gear.

Once the resupply was finished she dropped them back at U.S. 64, and they slack packed up to Wayah Bald.

I am awaiting word from Missy that she is on the way back with the stories and accounts of the trek.  Meanwhile enjoy the view.