Trail Days: Day 2

Day 2

Heather and I woke up to our lovely neighbor we had asked the night before to try to waken us, his attempt failed but it was nice he thought of us. Once we got up we desperately needed a shower. We heard that the Baptist Church had showers for the hikers. We took about a mile walk to the church, where they had Disaster Relief showers. The church volunteers told us that they were missing a trailer of Disaster Relief showers because of the tornado's that recently hit the mid-west. It' never crossed my mind that people going through such distress needed such simple things as a shower or laundry. It's interesting to think how much a simple thing like a shower, let alone hot water could change their recovery experience. Especially when the last time they showered was probably in their own home.

Damascus, VA

We got our name on the waiting list to shower then waited about an hour or so to shower. But not a minute of that hour went to waste, we met a guy our age on the trail that had a baby kitten it was extremely precious and adorable. I am a sucker for young kittens. He told us it just got on dry food and that he found it on the AT. It had been riding his shoulder since he found it. He then informed us he was out of cash and had to return to Massachusetts somehow without any money. I told him we were going to DC later and could give him a ride if he needed a head start. Heather and I babysat his adorable little kitten while he showered. “Please don’t take him,” he asked us before he got in the shower. It was hard to give him back. Unfortunately we never saw him before we left.

Cash is the one thing you may need on the AT

I asked around to see about how much money you need for the trail, the average amount I heard is approximately $2,000 to $4,000. "It depends on how comfortable you want to be on the trail." Kyle told us. Hostiles average at about $20 a night when hotels can be a lot more.  It's also more like $4,000 if you haven't bought all of your equipment/if you want to buy equipment. I met someone on the trail that made everything he was camping with including his stove. That also means it may not have been the lightest pack. As it was stated before, "there is no right way to hike the AT."

We were coming to the conclusion of what “out of cash” meant on the AT, in most cases it meant game over. Which was kind of depressing knowing how these hikers dedicated their lives to the trail. Some could find work like the young man we talked to at the hostile in Hot Springs he told us he got “sucked in” to working at the hostile. Some hikers view low on cash as a sign to make a few phone calls to mom or dad. But for most it means time to leave what they were working on so hard on to just go home and maybe pick the trail back up another time they had cash.

Damascus, VA - I wish I brought my camera to the showers to get a pic of the kitten

We babysat the kitten with 2 men, one was from Canada. He worked at a zoo and was a sculptor. He was pretty nice and cool. We soon met Fireman (his trail name) and his companion, from Tennessee. Fireman started hiking in Tennessee and started the trail with no money. He told us the other hikers ignored him because he was considered “yolkels” and that he volunteered at the church a few nights ago so he could shower. You could tell he was a yolkel, not as well educated as other hikers nor did he have the equipment. But maybe you don't need cash on the trail after all.

The church provided hygiene products for the hikers including toothbrushes, razors, floss, pre-paid post cards, coffee, free socks and fresh towels. The showers had shampoo and conditioner in them, they were like small shower stalls inside a trailer. There was also a sign out front the church, “feed the hungry hikers.” Making me feel slightly homeless however very much so like a through hiker on the AT at the same time.

No one understands the need for a shower unless they haven’t had one in days after sweating and living in dirt. It is pure bliss after you shower. I felt bad waiting in line in front of actual through hikers that deserved a shower more than me. However it was much needed.

People on the trail decorated their packs this one I really appreciated the art work

Trail Days Vendors

After we showered we explored the vendors, there were a ton of them; Heather and I tried some free samples of trail food, they gave us an idea for what to purchase for the AT. I was able to get some vegan jerky and hemp with some beads for hair wraps. Hdawgz and I walked around town to get a feel for Damascus, VA. It was a sweet little town, but not much to do. I was able to get my broken headlamp replaced by Princeton Tech, with a brand new one without any questions asked.

Seeking some free food tired of bag food Heather and I stumbled across a memoriam to the AT to inspire and relate to hikers on the AT. It had pictures and information of the trail, hikers and the towns/places the trail runs through. It was neat gaining knowledge on the AT. Kyle gave us a brief story as to how it started but this was a lot more informative.

We walked around and talked to a lot of hikers that day learning some hiker terminology:
• Swtichbacks: when the trail zig-zags uphill instead of going up stairs which can be strenuous
• Trail magic: when something “magical” appears on the trail whether it be something a hiker left or something someone planted on the trail. i.e. a cooler filled with cold drinks
• Section Hikers: hikers that have only hiked sections of the AT; it could be a few miles or it could be half the trail
• Trail Brothers/Sisters: Guys/girls that hike together and know each other like siblings

The people we talked to were from all over including people from Sweden, they were so eccentric and friendly. Probably the best people I have ever met in a while, a lot different from fast paced New Jerseyans, let alone a lot different from Rowan Students.

If the Dogs Could Talk

One thing I noticed at Trail Days were the dogs that hiked the trail. A lot of hikers had a dog, this didn't only mean a companion for the hikers hiking a lone but it meant a whole different hiking experience. The dogs give the hikers a sense of security as well as a friend they can vent to and share their amazing experiences with.

The dogs carried their own weight in their own “doggy packs” and usually slept with the hiker. The dogs were all very well trained and had a very strong build (much like the hikers). At Trail Days they even offered doggy baths and a vet check up, a lot of homeless people on the trail can’t afford a vet. We met some stunning dogs on the trail, most were medium to large sized all of them were extremely friendly; For a few exceptions of small dogs and a fox-dog mix. We met a very small dog that apparently hiked the whole trail by himself.

This dog had such a personality

One of the hikers told us the dogs on the trail are for the most part not a problem, they keep to themselves and actually benefit the other hikers by scaring away the rats and mice in the shelters. We met a homeless person from PA who we could share our love for dogs with. He was hiking with his boxer who slept with him every night and was very well trained. I wish the dogs could have been able to tell us their trail stories.

Unfortunately, the Smokey’s is the only part of the Trail that I know of that you cannot have a dog on, I wish I had asked what people did with their dogs on that part of the trail however I heard it’s a hefty fine for dogs. Heather and I decided if we do hike the trail we are getting a dog to hike it with. I would want to find a young spunky dog on whiteblaze.net (the AT forum, that is extremely helpful) that someone wouldn’t mind lending to us that is trained and used to the Trail already.

Then the Rain Came

It hadn’t rained the whole trip, we lucked out pretty well. Then it poured, Tent City was so incredibly muddy. We held out the majority of the rain in Camp Bring It, were we met 151 and Tomoma, they were debating where to go next after reuniting after their one year anniversary of hiking the AT. They couldn’t decide over Oregon or Florida, they reminded us of ourselves, debating where to go on this road trip.

Tomoma was in his thirty’s and 151 was in his late twenties, they called each other brothers (they were trail brothers) and acted a lot like it. I really enjoyed meeting them they were REAL “Trail Trash,” or what they called themselves for continuing to travel all over America. Talking to them, it did cross my mind that I could of just joined them on their journey. This whole trip we were being spontaneous, why stop now? Wherever they were going I could have just told them I want to tag along, they did seem to like my company. But knowing I already paid for Mexico and California kind of deterred me. They were pretty awesome people, I wish I knew where they were today, I hope our paths can cross once again.

The general store specialized in different types of sodas

Camp Riff Raff was rude to Heather so we went to a band playing in the general store with Jed, it was cool hearing the music/seeing the different type of dancing down south. I began to really appreciate dancing once again, those dance classes as a little kid really did pay off. I do really enjoy different types of dance, watching it or being the one dancing. Afterwards we hung out around the fire talking; Soon to pass out once again on the sticks and tree stumps in the tent.

Our Time Had Come...

Heather and I woke up in the morning ready to go. We just felt as if our time had come to leave. Almost as if we over stayed our welcome because we were not through hikers and we started doubting hiking the whole AT this spring. It was a great stay, don’t get me wrong we just had an urge to get to DC and finish this road trip so we could get to Mexico.

On our ride to DC I started noticing things were laying flat on the ground first trees, then billboards then houses. I was like what? why are they bulldozing everything to the ground in this poor town. Then it clicked, with Heather and I at almost the same time. This was where the tornadoes hit in Southern Virginia. My thoughts switched quickly, wow once again a place that could have been MY home. It could have been my house flattened on the ground. It was devastating to just look around. We were silent.

Heather's stinky feet next to mine.

This is also where the magic rule of “don’t speed, you can’t afford a ticket,” was broken unfortunately. Just another learning experience, $121 ticket for 80mph in a 70mph, that is all I’m going to say. To make it worse Heather feet REEKED from muddy trail days it was a mixture of wet dog, dog pee and rottenness in a nasty flip-flop. I made her wash her feet at a rest stop before we got to my aunts.

In the car we kept saying, "I can't believe this week." It was pretty emotional. We had been through so much in such a short amount of time. So much that a single class at any university couldn't have even tried to teach us.

Some people could have gone on the exact same trip as us at the exact same time and met the exact same people. And said they camped the Appalachian, but I don't think they could have gotten out of it what we did. I always wonder what would have happened if we never met the Dudes of the Mountain or never went to Trail Days. Life is so variable, timing is a funny thing, the people that come into your life can highly influence it. I find it funny that the trail is still there, people are still hiking it and meeting each other and forming relationships they will never forget, but I am here.

I still can't believe the AT trip and the experiences, yet we were just getting started on our summer and we hadn't even arrived in DC yet. 

It wasn’t only the places we went, it was the people we met

On our way to Trail Days, before we left Hampton, TN. I wanted to see what it would have been like to grow up in Hampton. So I drove around a trailer park at the base of the mountain. Slowly driving past broken-down trailers and deserted back yards, I didn’t really know what to think. I wanted to knock on one of their doors and interview the people inside to see what an average day was like for them. However, I felt as though I would not be so welcomed.

A lot of people go through their lives without even setting foot in a place like a trailer park, while others wake up in one every morning. This really helped me understand how fortunate I am. And convinced me of how I shouldn’t let my potential go to waste because I have the ability to do brilliant things in this world. It was very depressing yet very empowering at the same time.

Driving through the trailer park really made me want to help people in need. Being in such a deserted town makes you think about what goes on in those towns that no one will ever know about? Is there someone people/children can go to for help or guidance?

Trail Days: Day 1

Pitched our tent  on a ton of sticks...

bridge to get to our tent.

We made it to Damascus, VA! With just enough time to set up our tent before it got too dark. We each paid $5 to camp in Tent City it was worth every penny. Damascus hosts Trail Days once a year and I bet they make out pretty well, charging $20 for parking (which we didn’t have to pay) between that and what they make off the mass amount of hikers the vendors attract. People from all over come to celebrate with the hikers or to just enjoy the events and vendors.

Inside Tent City

Outside Tent City

Tent City: Camp Bring It

This year was the 25th anniversary of Trail Days, meaning a lot of people showed up. Tent City is where most people camp for Trail Days. When hikers camp they do it right, some set up tent out on a field but most hiked in, setting up tent up on the mountainside. You couldn’t even see the tents from the road. The hikers broke off into their own “camps” there was:

Camp Bring It had this awesome rug I want

Camp Riff Raf

• Pirate Cove - people our age hiking the trail
• Riffraff- a generation older
• Billville - much older people
• Camp Bring It (unofficial)- where Heather and I hung out with the “Dudes of the Mountain”
• Wonderland – where Tambourine camped

There were a few more camps but these were the ones I remember/went to. It was cool seeing how the hikers split up into different groups. It was usually based on whom they kept up with on the trail, age and body build played a role. Watching the hikers interact was very interesting some embraced each other, seeing each other for the first time since they started the trail. Others told trail stories and talked to hikers who already completed the trail relating their experiences. Overall, everyone had so much love for one another, they all acted like a big family.

The Hikers: Homeless to Extreme Outdoors Men

Hiker's exhibit in Damascus.

The trail brings the strangest of people together. Everyone starts the 6 month trek for a different reason. Some are on it because they’re homeless and don’t have anywhere else to go. Some are “yolkes” or the “town folk” from the towns the Appalachian goes through, that have nothing better to do than hike the trail and see the north/south. A lot are outdoors men, or extreme hikers that are truly passionate about backpacking through the mountains with the latest and greatest in equipment. Some are just plain adventurers, who love to travel and can’t stand being in one place for too long. Some come far and wide from different states and countries just to hike the Appalachian Trail. Others are discouraged workers that got laid off or are looking for work. Some abruptly quit their jobs to start the trail. Some are college graduates or current students that decided to spending their summer on the trail. A few end up on the trail because they are running away from something, Heather and I heard a story that the FBI took a guy of the trail in the beginning. A few are on the trail detoxing, they know if they pick up drugs again they can’t hike as well or at all, depending on what they are detoxing from. I feel like most on the trail get a spiritual experience whether it be because they are looking for one or not. It’s hard to be out in the wilderness by yourself for approximately six months and not have some sort of a spiritual experience.

“The women always pass us”

Among the hikers are the very few women that hike the trail; they are extremely strong, independent, inspiring women. We heard from the male hikers that, “The women always pass us on the trail.” Heather and I made a point of talking to the women hikers. After our experience in Hampton I was getting a nervous on the trail.

Guinness, one of the first women we talked to reassured me not to be scared of the trail but to be skeptical of the towns the trail runs through including the “yokels” that live in the town. She said, “Once you start out you instantly find people to camp with,” she highly suggested camping with person you meet and know. She also told us, “to trust your gut, if something is off or you get a bad feeling about a person keep on hiking, there can be some wacky people on the trail. Don’t stop hiking until you feel safe.” She recalled a night she didn’t feel safe setting up tent until a fellow hiker she knew came along and she was relieved to finally relax and stop hiking. Guinness traveled with her beloved dog, she pointed out that it does help a lot when you’re on the trail by yourself. She told us of a book that a woman who hiked the Appalachian Trail wrote and really inspired us to take on the trail.

Guinness’ friend told us it was harder for the women on the trail because they are the minority. This brings the “trail sisters” even closer together, “Because when you see [a woman on the trail] you get so excited since you’re around men most of the time.” She told us it can be difficult for a woman on the trail because the men don’t understand women’s needs as much. “After a while your like, ‘God, won’t someone just give me a damn tampon!’” she stated trying to voice her frustration. She told us the men on the trail are the best of the men out there, the men LOVE the women on the trail because they are usually hiking with strictly men for months. They told us they made their best male friends out on the trail. “It’s fun to live with them, [the male hikers] especially when you joke around with them about farting and taking dumps.”

The men do put on their manners for the women on the trail, “they will give us plenty of space if we have to go to the bathroom.” It's probably breath of fresh air for the male hikers to see a woman on the trail. They give the appropriate respect, probably because they like having women hike with them on the trail and don’t want to scare them away. One advantage is that there are a lot of mountain men to pick from. =]

“Listen to Your Body”

The physical aspect of the trail is tremendous, it is a full body workout. The hikers average 15 to 20

People who have finished the AT

miles a day depending on the terrain and the hiker’s body. “You will get in shape very quickly,” one of the Dudes of the Mountain told us. “At first it’s rough but once you get past that you’ll be impressed with how far you can hike in one day.”

All the Dudes of the Mountain agreed with that statement. The guys said at the end of the day most of them crave meat. Most hikers don’t even desire junk food because they know eating it will highly impact their progress on the trail.

One of the women we talked to gave us some great advice, “Listen to your body. If you feel like quitting take a few zero days and think long and hard about it. If you give up you will most likely regret it.” From the hugs I received from the through hikers, your body can get pretty freaking ripped. However I did realize the muscle that I did build makes a woman’s body look slightly like a caveman’s. Not so attractive…

Tent City on the mountain behind the port-a-potty's, not even visible from the road

Trail Names

Everyone at Trail Days goes by his or her trail name. Heather and I didn’t have one but we met some hikers that tried to christen me with one, which was pretty funny, but I refused to accept any trail names because I wasn’t a through hiker... yet.

I did meet some hikers with some pretty awesome trail names, Tambourine was one of them. She was a tall, slender 40 year old with dreads who had completed the trail a year ago with a trail mate that had unfortunately died after completion. Of course, everywhere she went was with a tambourine. She was so artistic and had one of the coolest Appalachian Trail tattoos. She taught me how to make dreads and I was ready to ask her to adopt me as her child haha.

That night Heather and I met some pretty inspirational people, heard some really interesting trail stories and got pretty close with the original 3 mountain men: Greg, Kyle, and Jed we met them up on the mountain our first night out. We also met the 2 kids we passed on our way up the mountain that day. They were our age, from Massachusetts one of them, Fat Z is probably one of the funniest people I will ever meet.

Heather and I are seriously considering taking the Spring semester off, depending on how fall goes, getting a job and then leaving for the AT in early April ‘12.

It might be what we both need.
Just a thought.

Hampton, TN: Worth Unscrewing Your NJ Licence Plate For.

“She’s the tenth generation to own this store…”

Once again we were on the road, driving through the huge rolling mountains to Tennessee. We arrived in Hampton, TN and stopped at a produce store for some fresh fruit. I made small talk with the clerk and asked about the safety of the AT, he told me a few years ago they had some problems with people’s cars getting broken into, but that we should be fine now. Then we made a stop at the general store. There was a small selection of items and a 10-year-old girl behind the counter. We overheard she was the tenth generation to own the store… oh boy.

“It’s a WOLF!”

We continued our trek up the mountain to catch the AT on Dennis Cove Rd. It was beautiful. I stopped the car and got out to take pictures, then we continued up. As we were driving up we saw a dog in the middle of the road. There weren’t any houses around so I stopped the car and started to get out to rescue it. But then I saw another animal, and Heather was like, “Wait. Is that a wolf?” Completely stunned, I was like, “Oh my god a wolf!! Get my camera!” And I started to snap a bunch of pictures of it, soon to discover our “wolf” was just a German Shepherd. Haha it was so exciting in the moment.

“Don’t stop too long, or else they might come out with a gun!” 

We kept going up the mountain and started passing trailer homes, shacks and log cabins. Obviously the people living on this mountain didn’t have much. It was around 7:00 pm and we found a campground up the street from the trail. We set up tent and instantly our neighbors offered us their wood and food. It was an older man and his father and they were so incredibly nice.

Stream behind our tent

I laid down for a nap and Heather told him we were planning on hiking the AT. He told her to be careful and to back my car in to a parking spot. Because if people saw that we were from out of town, they might break into my car. We ended up talking to him some more before bed and I found out he was from the area, recently retired from Walmart and was taking his dad out for their fishing and camping trip, they do every other weekend. He told us that most people up on the mountain collected welfare and just drove around in their trucks. I asked about how the kids get to school and he told us that their parents had to drive them to school and insinuated that they don’t go at all.  

Our campsite was right next to a stream, as we laid down to go to sleep all you could hear was the stream water rushing past, it was so relaxing. However, I was pretty tense from what our neighbor had told us. I felt as though if people were to steal from us here, they’d probably needed my things more than me. I just hoped we would be lucky. I do enjoy having my macbook, clothes and a tent. But what it all boils down to once again is material objects, and how much we really NEED or what we think we NEED. I don’t NEED a macbook to survive in the wilderness, if anything it would be the first of the extra weight I would get rid of.

Photo credit: Heather

We woke up they next morning and made some strawberry granola, it was good but eating meals out of a bag was getting annoying, just not the same nutrition as a home cooked one. We packed up and saw swarms of butterflies. They were all hatching from cocoons and drying their wings together on the ground. They just flew around so energetically, just like they were so happy to have wings and be soaring through the air. Heather got some kick ass pictures of them.

We parked at the head of the trail then realized we had no service and had to drive around the mountain to send a mass of text messages to our parents to inform them of our new location. As we drove around I took a good look at the run down homes and trailer homes and thought once again, “I hope my car/stuff is going to be okay…” Personally, I haven’t had the best luck with cars being towed/broken into.

I backed into a parking spot and unscrewed my front license plate. I took EVERYTHING out of my car and put it in the trunk. When I say EVERYTHING I mean EVERY coin, wrapper, snippet of trash and nick-nack in my car was put in the trunk. Each piece of junk says something to a person looking into your car it’s best if there is nothing because when they look in they won’t know what to expect.

“You’ll be fine as long as you have a knife.”

Extremely nervous, I asked the people who parked next to us about the safety of the trail. She told me it was safe to camp there, as long as I had a knife.  Oh great. Good thing I did, I guess… Heather and I went one of the most beautiful hikes I have even been on in my life. It started out like we were in a jungle; the trail was rich with rhododendrons and ferns. Yet we were walking through what seemed like a crack in the mountain.

Man-made bridge

Small Waterfall

We crossed a small man made footbridge over a river, it was so awesome and beautiful. There were parts in the trees that made for the perfect photo ops. Then we realized the white blazes (white paint marks that mark the AT from Georgia to Maine) turned blue. Meaning we were off the AT and on a different side trail. We continued on and found the shelter, which brought us back on the AT. The shelter was about a mile in. Behind it was a little waterfall; we had thought we found the waterfall we were looking for. It was cool, but I was surprised how little it was. Heather and I didn’t like how close the shelter was from where we parked our car and the next shelter was 10 miles away. So we decided to try to find the other waterfall and figure out where to camp later. We had all day to figure it out.

Shelter that was a mile in.

Not knowing where or when we were going to sleep this trip began to entertain me. I used to be so adamant about going to sleep in my own bed because that is what I was most comfortable with. However not knowing at all is so much more entertaining, this really broke me of being “responsible” and being so organized. 

White blaze that marks the whole AT

We climbed along rocks to find the waterfall. It was huge and completely amazing, I wish I had words to describe it. The mist cooled out hot sweaty skin that had been in and out of direct sunlight the whole hike. It was so relaxing. Soon 2 other guys our age joined us. We started talking to them and I traded my train silly band for his then realized his silly band was a cross, which a bible lecture was soon to follow. 

He told me he wasn’t religious, but the bible changed his life. It just made me think about religion on a different level. He offered to take us up to the top of the waterfall but told us it was steep and that we would probably have to hide our packs in order to climb it. After the bible preach I kind of just wanted to go, so we left for the car. I hope he knows his silly band is coming to Mexico and Cali with me and that I am hoping to trade it... no hard feelings. 

We arrived back at the car, (with my integra still in one piece) with intentions to find another place along the trail to camp. However, we decided it would be a better idea to get a head start on Trail Days it was Thursday and Trail Days began Friday, hikers had to be there already. Off to Virgina!

The places we went in that one week, still blows my mind.

The Dudes of the Mountain: The REAL mountain men

The Dudes of the Mountain: The Real Mountain Men

Inside the shelter

We got to the shelter and there was a fire going, with three men sitting around it. We set up tent away from them. Kind of nervous being 2 girls on a mountain far from town. We sat down and started talking to the 3 guys around the fire. They had all started in Georgia, all at different times, all walking different paces, all with the same goal of making it to Maine. They helped boil water to reconstitute our dehydrated rice and beans, yum. As we continued talking I came to realize the, “Appalachian Trail Hiker” culture and it amazed me. For

The Shelter

once I felt like I could be myself around them and get along with them. These men were all tied together with their love for the ‘great outdoors’ and the common objective of making it to Maine. They told us most people stared late March/early April on the trail in Georgia and head north. In Georgia, they would meet/camp with other hikers trying to make it to Maine. The trek averages 6 months of their lives and is approximately 2,181 miles. 

Classy Hobos

view on the mountain

The 3 men didn’t know each other before the trip and all began in Georgia. They all got on the trail different ways, whether it be train or even their mom driving them down. They hiked at their own pace, looking out for one another. They developed deep relationships with each other even though they had just met. "The trail really brings out the best in people," kyle told us. It also brings all types of people together. The Appalachian trail through hikers even create trail names for each other to use on the AT.

the trail after it flattened out

Vertical descend

The hikers will offer any thing of what they have. Sometimes they even leave equipment on the trail with the intent that another hiker will need it or want it. They seriously hike around with their homes on their backs. Sometimes they will meet up with people that take, “zero days”- not hiking any miles and just relaxing in town whether it be in a hotel, hostile or finding a place to work for a little to make money or wait on packages in the mail, so they could move on the trail more comfortably.

The mailing system is really cool on the trail you can bump packages up and down the trail along the towns and have family and friends mail you things. This makes the trip a lot less expensive and more enjoyable. Some interesting things are received in the mail by the hikers...

Our beloved home.

Every person hikes the trail differently, "There is no wrong way to hike the trail regardless of what people tell you." some people carry as little as possible just using a tarp to sleep under. Others carried pounds of clothes and food on their backs for miles. Some sleep in hammocks, others just rely on the shelters. Apparently, one guy was walking the trail with an amp, computer and an electric cello. There are some pretty eccentric people that hike the trail...

The AT runs through towns were the hikers usually restock on food and shower. Sometimes they will even go into town to get food then go back to the mountains to eat, this way is a lot cheaper. It was hard being so dirty and sweaty just for one night; I can’t imagine how they do it for 6 months! The towns along the trail are usually prepared for hikers, usually the hikers are their only business, most of the time the towns have an outdoors store, hotels, hostiles, camp grounds, laundromats and food available in every town along the way.

The trail has its dangers of bears, poisonous snakes and terrain. We had to hang our food up in a tree and Heather took the liberty of telling me a scary bear story during our hike and so we made sure there was no food in the tent, not even tooth paste. Of course when we woke up Heather tells me there was a granola bar wrapper in her pocket the whole night. Haha, at least no bears gave us a visit.

Being in the wild for over 48 hours just makes you realized the impact of electricity and technology has on our lives. In the woods things move, tree branches drop, bugs fly around and animals live their lives fending for themselves. "If you just sit an observe the wilderness so much happens in just one day." I purposefully turned off my phone and refuse to go on Facebook for this part of my summer. Let alone realizing the power of a toilet and just running water makes wilderness camping an amazing adventure.

Heather loved that monocular...

I didn't realized this until after the trip but when technology is in my life I become so distracted and I multitask way too much making me so much less productive. I left my phone off the whole trip other than to text my parents the location of my car and town I was in in the event they needed to find my body or rescue my arm from under a rock haha. Then I'd turn the phone off and not even remember I had one. It felt so good to be completely and utterly unavailable for once in my life.

Log in the Shelter

We woke up in the morning to they guys letting us know they’ll see us in town and Kyle asked for a ride to Damascus, VA for Trail Days- a giant festival for through hikers that are meeting up May 13 – 15th. We told him we’d try to help him out and meet up with him in town. We packed up and wrote in a notebook left in the camping shelter, the notebook had been there since September 2011.

"Lauren and Hdawgz made it to the Appalachian trail! There's some awesome people out here. We are so happy we're out here enjoying the great outdoors and weather. Peace!"

We made it back to town sweaty but not as tired as when we arrived. We rinsed off in a river by the car, it was freezing but never felt better. Got something to eat in town then drove Kyle to Boone to check out Appalachian State University, another highly sustainable state school.

On the drive to Boone we saw fields of poppy's I had to pull over and get some pics. These are one my favorite pics from the whole trip.

Before we left, Kyle took us to a hostile he was planning on staying at, that was created for the purpose of hikers to stay at while hiking on the trial. Breakfast and dinner was cheap and offered. It was $20 a night and the house was a beautiful, a remodeled historic home, just check out the pictures of it. We met some awesome people at the hostile as well, including people working there that where hiking on the trail.

Pesto Bread Sticks

We got to Boone, the college town, and I instantly knew it was not for me, so did Heather but it was a cool town. School had already let out so we just proceeded to check out the town with Kyle then got some bread sticks. We exchanged info and said our good byes to Kyle, I hope he had a good trip to Damascus, VA.

art in Boone, cool but not super impressed.

We want to meet up with him and the mountain dudes at Trial Days it’s suppose to be huge this year because of some anniversary. We really made good friends with Kyle and the other guys in such a short amount of time but it was a friendship I have never experienced before something completely genuine and real. Nothing fake at all. These mountain dudes aren’t too bad after all. . . =]
 
This trip is really helping me reflect upon myself as a person and how I affect and interact with the people around me. I want to work on how people  view me and think about me. I feel like I am gaining an understanding of patience and word choice to not come across as so bossy, I just get frustrated easily. It’s just hard to deal with my “know-it-all” attitude because I want people to feel like I am smart but I need to stop trying to prove that to other people and start believe it myself.

We returned to Heather's grandmother's house to take a much needed shower. The next morning we woke up and spent a few hours trying to plan the rest of our trip. I was getting frustrated with where to go and what to do. So I pointed to a spot on the map said "Heather were going here. Close the maps, pack your stuff, lets go." And so we did, and we ended up in Tennessee. The spontaneity on this trip is oozing from it's very core.