Made it to Hot Springs

We made it to Hot Springs, NC woo hoo! and i am posting some pictures as promised.

3/13/07 Christy and Shannon dropped me, Guthook, and Cough Drop back on the trail at Newfound Gap after a much needed shower and meal in Gatlinburg. We did about 16 miles today, saw some crazy ice just north of Icewater Springs Shelter. It covered the trail. Cough Drop took some pictures and hope to post some later.

3/14/07 What a great day - did about 18 miles to Standing Bear Farm, .1 mile off the trail right after the Smokies. Can't believe I am already out of the Smokies. This place was great - Curtis and Marie own it and they were very welcoming. I was able to eat 3/4 of my own pizza - yeah me! it was a treat to have two showers in one week. My feet are still hurting a bit but definitely healing. Crossed under our first interstate today - I-40 in North Carolina. What a crazy feeling!

3/15/07 15.5 miles to Roaring Fork Shelter. Caught up with some other northbounders yesterday - otto, toesocks 1/2, Pilgrim and Jen. Hopefully we will be seeing them later on the trail. Everybody has a different story and a different reason to be out here. Looked like it was going to rain all day today but it didn't until 6 pm.

3/16/07 Did 18 miles in 7 hours. We were definitely moving. Nothing like food, shower, and hostel to get hikers moving. Oh yeah, rain all day doesn't hurt either. Rained most of the day today but we just kept moving and eventually made it to Hot Springs, NC. The trail goes right through town. I'm staying at Sunnybank Inn where they served organic vegetarian cuisine. Yum! It was built in the 1800s. Me and Guthook got the last room and had to share a bed but we didn't care. Yeah flannel sheets and down comforter and a pillow!

3/17/07 My first zero day!!! Bridgette came up from Atlanta and we all went to breakfast at the Duckett House. Cough Drop and his friend bought us all breakfast. It was so amazing - homemade soysage and banana pancakes. I'm beginning to enjoy this zero day. Getting ready to head to the "hot springs" that the town in known for and go for a soak. I can't wait. More food later and hopefully catch up on some basketball scores.

I am a bit ahead of schedule and wanted to let you all know some dates I will be in towns the next few weeks:

Erwin, TN 3/21
Damascus, VA 3/30 and a zero day on 3/31
Atkins, VA 4/4

By the time I reach Harpers Ferry, WV (approx. halfway), I will probably be 6 days ahead of schedule. I am doing really good with hiking and enjoying my two companions - Guthook and Cough Drop. Guthook will soon be leaving us to hike a bit faster in order to finish by July 1st.

Hope you enjoyed the update. Miss and love everyone!
Kentucky Blue





Below are some pics from the first few weeks on the trail. Sunrise on clingman's dome, lost my first toenail, me and some of the boys at the "Fontana hilton", our first night at a hostel, me atop Wesser Bald, after hiking a long day getting to the shelter, and a sunset view over the handicap accessible privy. These crack me up - only in Georgia - someone in a wheelchair can't hike up the 13 miles to get to the privy but they can wheel their chair over to the privy no problem.