Our trailer hitch
Above me on "big bald"
Ben excited about his food! A Shelter in the Smokies
Ben excited about his food! A Shelter in the Smokies
Hi All,
We are in Erwin, Tenn arrived here is afternoon. Many things to talk about, but I've got about 20 minutes until the Library here and my computer access goes away, so I'll do my best.
Well,we had our first true "zero" ( a day without any hiking) back in Hot Springs, which felt really good and we were reunited with "The Iron Chefs" friends we've been camping with on and off. We got to meet some of their family which was reallly nice.
So we left Hot Springs Monday AM and did our first 20 mile day and had another near 20 miles yesterday. On Monday as we (Ben, I and our friend Patrick) were hiking ~15 miles into the day we came accross a sign reading "attention thru hikers walk 300 yards to your left and up the driveway to pecan waffles, pulled pork, potato salad, beef stew homemade desserts etc. I was having what I now know is called "town tummy" when your stomach doesn't know what to do with real food so looked to Ben who of course with a huge smile said "we're going". Let's just say I've never seen Ben consume so much in a hour period the folks who brought us into their home hiked the trail in 1999 and were just amazing. Ben had a root beer float followed by pecan waffles, fruit salad, pulled pork, potato salad, homemade bread and butter, a huge brownie sundae and more! Trail magic here is just amazing!!
So in regards to the title of this post, Monday and Tuesday were warm days in the 70's and we were hiking in shorts and t-shirts with sunburns then yesterday a cold front came through with some rain and we awoke this morning to cold and snow! I thought we left Maine??? The cold is supposed to be here for the next few days ( in the teens in the town so likely single digits at night in the mountains, burr!!). One more note yesterday we went over "Big Bald" it was my favorite place thus far, amazing 360 degree views and just a huge grassy summit, it was cold and windy but made my day!
We are both still well, my back has been giving me a little trouble but other than that all is good.
I'm going to try to at least get one picture on here in the next 10 minutes that I have.
Oh yeah we have now hiked 340 miles!!
Love to everyone!!
5 comments:
Hi Ben and Amanda, I sent an easter card to the Holiday Inn Express in Erwin, Tenn. It should be there On April 6th in the morning as I sent it express mail. There is a . .calling card in there for you. Sounds like good food, good people, and a good time. You two are zooming right along. We got a foot plus of snow here last night, but I was suprised to hear you got snow !! Mother Nature isn't done with winter yet. Grampa is doing better. Seems like his usual self. Marnie had a baby girl April 2nd, named her Cora. Miss you both, Love Mom
Hi to both of you, you look well and happy and so nice to see pictures of you. As you may have already discovered box#6 is awaiting you there, and box #7 is already at its destination. I will be mailing out #8 today. Keeping busy to keep up with your pace-you are truly on your way home... Oh yeah, the turth is you are already home in your hearts..Glad you had a rest day--your bodies are shouting hurrah!!Karen from the Freeport spa, says to send a Hurrah for you. Ros and Anna Ruth also send there love. I will e-mail you the next tracking number and stay in touch about the mailings. May you both walk lightly on your journey, receive hugs from Eric and myself, and a good session for your back-perhaps we will start working from afar. Anyway, off for a beautiful day, call anytime, and know how much you are loved. From an open heart sending lots of love..
I love you
your mama/CAM/Chrissy
Hey guys, Your latest photos are excellent. That bald summit is beautiful and that look on Ben's face in anticipation of his "town tummy" experience is priceless. You both look so healthy and content. What a wonderful experience! Be careful not to get caught up in the chase, remember that the journey is the destination. Set a comfortable pace (as much as I want you home). I enjoy hearing about all the trail magic. There are so many great and caring people out there that are sometimes overshadowed by those at the other end of the scale. It's easy for me to see you both giving back to the trail. As Marcia mentioned winter has yet to relax it's grip on our area but I guess that's what makes life interesting. The recent snows in Utah have pushed Graham and Sue to Nevada to climb in Red Rocks. Nice that they have the luxury to follow the nice weather. It's a bit harder to escape when walking with a pack on your back. I hope the cold is behind you and that you always sleep in a cozy nest. Larry is happy as he gets another week or two to roll around in the snow. Looks like your mom has your food right on schedule. Must be exciting to open those boxes. We all miss you and enjoy being able to travel along with you in this way. Have fun. Play safe. I love you.
dad
Hi Ben and Amanda, Well you missed my Express mail delivery at Erwin, Tenn so I forwarded it to your next mail drop at Kincora Hostel 1278 Dennis Cove Rd., Hampton, Tenn. Iam tracking it so it should be there in plenty of time unless you two start running the At instead of walking it!!!! You guys are buzzing right along, but Steve's wisdom about taking it easy once in a while is good also. Thanks to your Mom's experience with this mailing business, Amanda, I had the next address thanks to her. Keep on trucking, be safe, and happy trails to you both. We love you, Mom & Dad
Ben, I've been told that you are just about filled with interesting facts so I'm sure you must be aware that our local hero, David Crocket, aka Davie, Davie Crocket king of the wild frontier, was born on a mountain top in Tennessee(just a hatchet throw off the AT). The actual location is a closely guarded secret kept by a fellow named Daniel Boone. Davie lived in this area till he reached the age of 12, when he headed west to supervise the excavation of the Grand Canyon. I tell you this as you may recall local lore says he killed him a bear when he was only three (a musket shot off the AT) You do the math son, and keep an eye on the your pardner.
T.P.Dog
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