AT 20 - 15th April (177.7)

That’s the Dam we came from. 

 Started into the Smokies. Crossed the Fontana dam. Put half my permit into box that was stuffed. They must not open it too often. Then up up up all day, nearly 3000 feet climb with ups and downs. Decided to stay in shelter again. Rain coming before dawn tomorrow and I’m glad to have tent dry. Rain and thunder all day tomorrow so another day of “walking in the rain”. I feel so alive out here. The forest floor is becoming a bed of flowers. The trees are greening up day by day. 

Scout is one day ahead, maybe we’ll meet again soon. 

AT 19 - 14th April (165.7)

 Just did 6 miles down from shelter to Fontana Dam. Dried my tent just before rain came. It rained all day. I’m so glad to be dry. Went into town to resupply. There is a “go boy” (supped up cars weekend) lots of testosterone!!! Had a great meal and washed and dried cloths. First sleep in  a shelter. It’s the peeing at night that worries me. It’s the Hilton shelter. Only one that has hot shower and electric points. Tomorrow I enter the smokies. Long climb first day so I hope I make it. 

Second black snake. 

Only bear I’ve seen

Fontana Dam

I need a shower

That’s better. 

AT 18 - 13th April (159.2)

 Lovely day. Good climbs but nothing too strenuous. 12 miles. Spring in defo springing. The trees are turning green as you look at them. The little flowers are lovely. One thing I like and don’t like is that you can’t see where you’re going. You think you spot the need peak and then you loop back. You just follow the blazes (white rectangle painted on trees). Tomorrow is Fontana Dam. It’s the start of the Smokies. 

Thought for the day

Psalm 104:10-11

You make springs gush forth in the valleys;

they flow between the hills; 

they give drink to every beast of the field;

 the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

The psalm starts with “Bless the Lord O my soul” and ends with the same. I love that the Lord placed the springs in the hills. I’m so happy to find them on the trail and fill my bottle. I think I’m that “wild donkey” certainly I smell like one!!! 

I’ll say Bless the Lord O my souls and amen to that. 

AT 17 - 12th April (147.4)

Linda would have love these. 

 Just arrived at Locust Cove gap. Tired, hot but feeling good. Climbed from 1707 to 5052, mostly switchbacks so not too hard. 

Last night was interesting, all my own fault!!! I was in NOC and ate out, and then I found a washing machine room. I chanced my luck and slept on floor. I left my bag on a shelf and maybe if I’d hidden it better I might have got away with it. 2am security found me and moved me on!!! 

I then walked on but couldn’t find the AT in the dark. Found some picnic tables and slept with only a quilt over me. At dawn it turned out that I was in the middle of quite an exposed site with houses overlooking me. So I got up quick and found the AT and started walking at 6:30am. I stoped to cook portage and coffee then walked till 12 and had lunch and a sleep. Then walked another 2 hours to here. 

Thought for the day. 

There are two things that you are not allowed to talk about on the AT. Religion and Politics. But if people bring it up I happy to talk. 

Bad, good and perfect. 

Some people think that life is a fluke and when we die that’s it. The don’t care for anyone but themselves. They take take take regardless of others. I’d describe someone like that as bad. 

Some people say that they are a “good person” and they probably are. I hear on the trail the phase, the church gave me good morals and I live by them. If the church is all about morals then we’re in trouble. 

The issue is that God is perfect and only those that are perfect can enter his presence. The bible describes our best works as filthy rags and we rarely even live up to our best. The only perfect one to have ever lived is Jesus and in dying for our worst or best sins he freed us from works,morals, and trying to live up to perfection. Instead he takes our filthy rags and freely gives us his perfect robe of righteousness to wear. Perfection can only be achieved when we give up and accept it. 

AT 16 - 11th April (136.7)

 We planned to go 11 miles but Lennon needed more, so in the end I think it was 16 miles. I went to NOC, brilliant place. Great outdoor store and canoe river. I swam to clean up before eating in a restaurant. I think I deserved it. The last 5 miles was straight down and when I say straight, it was seriously scary (and that me saying it). Legs feeling worked but good. Got my permit to enter the Smokies in 3 or 4 days. It’s the only cost on the AT. $40 isn’t bad for the full trip. 

Lori ankle acted up again today. She pulled off to a really nice place, Wing & Hoof. She hopes to recover but the longs days were killing her. 

Not sure where to sleep tonight. Either rough under a picnic table or might head to Forrest but only just. 

AT 15 - 10th April (120.4)

 Starting again after Zero day. It’s easy to get used to a real bed!!!! Two long climbs but legs felt good. Chest is a disaster, coughing all day. Some amazing panoramic views. A memorial tower was cool to climb and look around all sides. There was a campervan at 5338 feet high, I was a little jealous. Just heard that Lennon is leaving in 5 days. They’re falling like flies. 

The sun was hot today but tonight is meant to be 0c. I’m glad there is no rain. There’s a saying “No rain, no pain, no Maine”, so I’m sure we will get lots more rain. 

AT 14 - 9th April (zero day)

Easter. Hallelujah, Christ has risen. Went to Baptist church for free AT breakfast then went to Presbyterian church for Easter Sunday service. Nice bunch. The pastor invited me to lunch but Viv was coming so I had to decline. Viv and James collected me from church and we went to Walmart to resupply. Viv had a hard time understanding the needs of the trail. High calories in the lowest weight. They took me to lunch which was lovely. They left for the 2.5 hour trip home. Spent the afternoon relaxing and packing and getting ready for the trail tomorrow. Going for Baptist breakfast again tomorrow and then they will drop us to the trail !!! 

Thought for the day. 

Easter people in a Good Friday world.