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Fakahatchee ferns

Archives for May 2012

A Different Perspective

I-40

May 17, 2012    Sandra Friend

When you’re on foot, it’s a little strange to be walking up an Interstate ramp. This was our first interstate crossing on the AT, under I-40. Many more to come.

A Sobering Reminder

Standing Bear Farm

May 22, 2012    John Keatley

After five weeks on the trail, Sandy and I still snuggled together in our enormous Big Agnes sleeping bag every night, recapping the events of the day and laughing out loud at our own mishaps and the antics of our fellow hikers. With worn muscles and sore knees, we are thankful for the miles behind …

Above the Clouds

Clouds at Icewater

May 13, 2012    Sandra Friend

After arriving cold and wet at Icewater Springs Shelter to watch it rain, rain, rain the rest of the day, we awoke to this amazing vista from the shelter: looking down on the clouds with mountaintops rising through them.

Artist’s Palette

Colors of the Blue Ridge

May 6, 2012    Sandra Friend

As we left Tray Mountain, the skies settled into a permanent overcast that permeated the day. It felt like drizzle but didn’t, the skies heavy about leafless trees. Climbing the long ascent to Kelly Knob, a new perspective lay before us: the colors of the Blue Ridge. In that moment, I understood the artist’s palette …

Big Butt Mountain NC

John and the Big Butt of Big Butt Mountain

May 30, 2012    Sandra Friend

I’d hiked here a half dozen years ago and wondered how it got its name. On the AT, you finally figure it out.

Big Stink

Fort Necessity

May 28, 2012    Sandra Friend

There’s no getting around it: thru-hikers stink. It still bugs me that I can smell it even after I shower. Daily strenuous activity + weekly laundry + no flush toilets + stinky clothing + no antiperspirant = yuck! Some smell worse than others, but we’re all so stinky, especially on hot days, we hardly even …

Hiker Crossing

Hiker Crossing

May 10, 2012    Sandra Friend

Step lively at Fontana Dam as the traffic zips by!

Hinson Trails completed

Hiking along the Chipola River

May 19, 2012    Sandra Friend

Four trails, four miles, 900 volunteer hours: the efforts of the Panhandle Chapter of the Florida Trail Association, including coordination of F-Troop trail crews, have led to a new place to hike in Northwest Florida.

Hitching a Ride

Us and Gutsy at Winding Stair Gap

May 18, 2012    Sandra Friend

Soaking wet at Winding Stair Gap, we cowered close to the roadcut as thunder boomed and lightning crashed across the mountains. How would we get to Franklin? Our friends weren’t able to pick us up and the last hiker shuttle of the day had already left. Gutsy sat in her tent, out of the rain. …

Hospitality

Laughing Heart

May 27, 2012    Sandra Friend

Warm meals, hot showers, and comfortable beds with pillows: such are the kindnesses extended by friends as we hike, and it makes all the difference when our spirits are sagging. At the Hostel at Laughing Heart Lodge, we’re cheered by the hospitality extended by hosts Chuck Norris and Tigger. Yes, we know them, but they …

Laid Up

At the Hostel

May 25, 2012    Sandra Friend

(Just a reminder – these posts aren’t in “real time” but lagging 2-4 weeks. We’re well now, thanks!) We hadn’t planned to spend a week in Hot Springs, the first town where the AT ambles right through the center of everything, but there we were. The first few days were spent with a dear friend …

Rocky Top

Us on Rocky Top

May 11, 2012    Sandra Friend

Almost lost my hat on Rocky Top, up in the Tennessee Hills … winds were blowing strong on Rocky Top, guess they always will.

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