Rain rain go away!

On Saturday March 26, 2011 Greg drove Kara and I to Amicalola Falls State Park. Fresh and happy we signed the thru-hiker register. We are hikers 481 and 482 that are headed to Maine so far this year. We weighed our packs (mine was 35# and Kara's 36.5#) and headed on our way. After 604 stairs I was huffing and puffing and it was kind of raining. Then is started REALLY raining and continued that way the whole 9.2 miles to Springer Mtn Shelter. Our time at the top of Springer Mtn was short lived because we were so cold and tired. That night I don't think anyone slept a wink because there was a thunderstorm right on top of us... I thought we might perish. All was well but the next day was quite painful when we had to put on all of our soaking wet clothes from the day before (think wet sports bra...). Gregory went on his way back to NC and Kara and I continued on. That day was better than expected because it didn't rain, it just misted. That night- thunder storm. The next day was the same. That night- thunder storm. Yesterday was misty and COLD... 38 degrees and windy. The sun did peek out around 1:30 and the mist cleared out when we got to the shelter. That was the first time we saw a view... we didn't even know we were surrounded by so many mountains, all we had seen was fog and trees. The weather turned quick, guess what? Last night - thunder storm. Luckily we have been safe and happy and dry in a shelter every night. Today we had burgers and tonight we are staying in a hostel. Clean girls with clean clothes and a dry bed to sleep in!!! Despite the rain and cold this is still much nicer than our last job!

"I'm tryin to take this to the mountaintop, Appalachian" - Bun B

This past weekend I went to Myrtle Beach with the husband. The Atlantic was beautiful (we could see it from our room!) and the food was great. We had equal amounts of relaxation and partying... the perfect weekend. Greg is back in class and I'm trying up some loose ends paperwork-wise. We just switched Henry (my... I mean our car) into his name and we have to switch our car insurance. We had to get my dental coverage, get to Verizon to get a new phone, finalize payment for the bills on my apartment, get my security deposit, etc... luckily my fam is helping me get some of this taken care of on the MI side. There is a lot to do when you are peacing out (mostly) from society for 6 months. I got freaked out the other day, what happens if I get jury duty?? Just call them and be like, "JK lol I'm not coming?". Let's just hope something stupid like that doesn't happen.

On Friday Greg and I are headed to Dawsonville, GA. Saturday is go day!! At Amicalola Falls State Park we will weigh our packs and hike up 600 steps to the top of the 729 foot falls. Greg is going to hike the approach trail with us up to Springer Mountain (about 8.5 miles). He'll camp with us overnight! Then it's bye-bye husband and hello Appalachian Trail!! Sunday March 27, 2011 will be our first official day hiking the AT (as the approach trail doesn't truly count).

On the road in the Green Mtns, Vermont

11 days!

My last few days have been very full. I am now un-employed! I moved out of my apartment. I have left the Great Lakes State. I drove to New Hampshire with my cat (yes, 13 hours in a car with Callie!). The drive was long, but there were some beautiful views. The Green Mountains in Vermont were breathtaking. The trees had a layer of ice on them so they seemed to sparkle as I drove through. It really got me excited to start hiking the AT even though I won't see those mountains for at least 4 months!
I spent 5 glorious days in Concord, NH with Johanna. We watched to make sure Callie and Emma (her cat) got along okay, as Johanna is watching my cat for the duration of my hike. It seemed to go well, a few hisses and growls, but nothing remarkable. I bet by the time I hike to the White Mountains and see Callie again ( in 5 months) they will be inseparable!
While I was in NH we went to Portsmouth, an adorable coastal town, and did some shopping. We bought cheese. And then some more cheese. It was so delicious; cow cheese, goat cheese, sheep cheese, I am going to miss cheese!! Johanna and I ate so much good food that I am starting to get nervous about 6 months of instant oatmeal, rice and potatoes!
Yesterday I left NH (sniff) but after 14.5 hours in the car I arrived in North Carolina! They have green grass and flowering trees here! This got me SUPER excited to start hiking as Fayetteville is east (and slightly north) of Springer Mtn, Georgia. I think it will be just as pretty there when I start my hike.
Now it is time for me to relax and enjoy the next week and a half with my love! After so much planning all I have left to do is wait for March 26th to get here. Oh, and eat some more good food!

One Month!

In 4 short weeks I'll be on my way. I am so ready to go! My re-supply boxes are just about done and I started moving out of my apartment. 4 more days of work. Just tying up the loose ends! Woo-hoo!

5 Weeks Left!

In just 5 short weeks from today I will be at Amicalola Falls State Park starting my 6 month hike north. Every day has become a countdown for me. Days until I quit work: 12. Days until I move out of my apartment: 15. Days until I leave Michigan: 18. I feel like time has been moving extremely slowly these past few weeks. I just want to go already! The warm weather here has not helped my eagerness very much.
I have many reasons why I am ready to leave here, but mainly I am excited to start my journey. For 6 months I will get to move at my own pace. There will be no deadlines. Society works differently on a trail of that length- and I am looking forward to discovering it. I feel like I don't fit in here and I am looking for a place to belong, if only for a little while. I am excited to be dirty and stinky and to not be forced to pee in a toilet! I am yearning to listen to the wind and rain, to feel dirt and rock under my feet. I want to go to bed every night exhausted and to wake up every morning excited to live!
I will miss some of the comforts of home, don't get me wrong. I will miss my family and friends. I will miss the security of having a paycheck every week. I will miss my animals. I will miss having more than one change of clothing and shoes.
I know that only about 27% of hikers who start the Appalachian Trail going north actually successfully make it to Mt Katahdin in Maine. http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805579/k.DA92/2000Milers_Facts_and_Statistics.htm I hope to be one of the successful hikers that make it this year! However, if I should not make it, I do not want to look at it as a failure. My goal is to complete the AT, but the journey is much more important than the end result. I will be proud of myself if I only make it one mile because I will have already accomplished so much. I have already made life changing (and bettering) decisions that I may have never gotten around to if I hadn't decided to hike the AT. I might still be working at a job that makes me miserable or living far away from my amazing husband. If I decide to quit for any reason, I don't want that decision to negatively effect anything that had gotten me to that point. But damn, I sure do want to do a victory dance on the top of Mt. Katahdin!!

I just quit my job!

So, today I took a huge step in my journey towards completing the Appalachian Trail. I put in my notice at work. March 4th will be my last day in retail (hopefully forever!). Then starts the tedious task of moving out of my apartment :( However, fun is just ahead because I get to go hang in Concord, NH for a week and North Carolina for two weeks! What happens next? March 27th I start my 6 month adventure on the AT!!