Category: AT 2017

The weather seems stuck in the same pattern. Rain at night, cloudy most of the day, and then briefly clearing in the afternoon. It’s a cycle I can deal with. So far this week, I’ve been free from hiking in the rain.  Plus, the temperatures have been cool.  It’s really quite good hiking weather.  I […]

Another wet morning. I must of been whipped. I slept until 8:30. Coupled with the cold, I wasn’t ready to hike until 10:00. Again, off into the mist. Uphill of course.  After an hour in the soup, I thought to myself “this weather sucks”. Then I realized it was my “suck”. It was mine to […]

As expected, it rained most of the night. The wet, damp, and cold made me stay under the sleeping quilt a bit longer than I wanted. I am slow to move when it’s cold. Despite my best intentions, I left at my normal 9:15.  The mornings hike was in a constant fog. Traversing through layers […]

Mrs. Growler and I had an awesome weekend. It was relaxing and rejuvenating. It was great for me to see and touch her. I know she feels the same way. Plus she was able to see for herself that I’m healthy and uninjured.  After breakfast, it was back to Hot Springs. We made a quick […]

Happy Easter! After an excellent breakfast buffet, it was off to tour the Biltmore. We succeeded in catching the first shuttle and were in the first group of people to enter the house. They say it’s the largest publicly owned Estate in the USA.  What a place!  Everywhere you looked was a priceless museum piece. […]

The Inn at the Biltmore Estate is awesome. Way better than even the Cadillac of tents, with the best gear. Fresh made breakfast, coffee, and juice. I was ready for a nap by 9:30.  But it was off to town. Hiker chores never end. I needed to visit an outfitter for some new boots, another […]

I was lucky enough to get the last king bed room at the Spring Brook Cottages. It was a small cabin, with a deck overlooking the creek. What a pleasant stay. So glad to shower and get a great nights sleep.  The true glory of a long distance hiker…spending the morning at the Wash Tub. […]

All us hikers were awake well before sunrise. I opened both flaps on my tent vestibule, cozy and warm. I was laying in the tent, eating breakfast when I snapped this pic. It was a spectacular sight.  Shortly after sunrise, Peter Pan and several other familiar faces arrived. They had left the shelter somewhere around […]

It was a slow start this morning. I slept great. It was just so nice to hang around the hostel and the other hikers. Finally about 9:30, I hit the trail. Peter Pan was to shuttle back to where he left off and we were pushing to Max Patch.  The saying “careful what you wish […]

Up before 6:30. Ready to go by 7:15. Trying to push miles today. Tried the GreenBelly bars I was given by Julie. Dense, but 640 calories. Coupled with a breakfast shake and almond butter, I had a 1,000 calorie breakfast. Ready to go.  The terrain and weather were in my favor. I powered over the […]