All Journal Entries

Tuesday we experienced another example of trail magic at Woody Gap. I walked into the parking area from the trail and saw a big crowd of people around the back of a pickup. I was preoccupied because I thought I may have lost my wallet (I didn't!) so I went to a picnic table to sort thru my pack. Brad, who was ahead of me, walked over with six slices of pizza. The truck and food was provided by three thru hikers from 2020 who thought they would provide some joy and food for their new brethern/sisters. ...

Yesterday was a challenging day. Alot of climbing. Climbed Mt. Sassafras. How bad could a mountain be that has a name like Sassafras??!! It was a tough climb! It is only 3300 feet, but a steep climb.

Stayed at Gooch Mt shelter in our tents. When we arrived at 4 pm, the tent area was almost full. We shared a tent pad with a woman named Sam. Next to us were two older women (I forget their names). We saw them on the trail and they were moving at a quick pace, even though they didn't ...

As I am writing this, I am listening to a coyote howl on the hill opposite to where we are camped. It is very cool! What a great way to start off our first night!

Overall the first night was very good. PJ Servey dropped us off in the parking lot on Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the AT and the starting point for most northbounders. Brad has such a good son! Brad is right about all the good things he says about PJ. He left us at 9:30 am, after a great breakfast at the ...

Brad's son, PJ, Brad and I had a great meal last night at a pub in Elijah, GA. We went to our hotel and settled in for the night. I woke up about 15 minutes ago and haven't been able to go to sleep again. Too much anticipation! I'm anxious to get started and also fearful of the unknown. But I'm ready to move forward and do my best.

Brad and I spoke to Joe Freeman last night. Joe is a high school friend who may join us at some point on the trail, most likely New Hampshire, Maine, or ...

At long last, final preparations are being made for my Appalachian Trail journey! I’ll fly to Atlanta, GA on Monday, 3/15/21. After a night there, I’ve got a shuttle arranged with Ron Brown, who will take me to Amicalola Falls State Park. The plan is to have him drop me at the arch where the Approach Trail starts. After climbing the 600+ stairs up the falls, I’ll spend the night at Amicalola Falls Lodge before continuing on up the Approach Trail on the 17th. Depending on how I’m feeling when ...