Glimpses of Grandeur

Yesterday we found out that Papaw Owen, my dad's dad, passed away. 96-and-a-half years old, WWII vet, married to Mamaw for almost 70 years. It is sad, but it's also overwhelmingly comforting to imagine him, sitting down with dad, hands folded in conversation, laughter creasing around their eyes in reunion. I can hear him saying "Jeff, what happened in that truck?"

The veil between creation and eternity gets increasingly scarce in nature. Mostly the hiking is hard, but there are moments of transcendence, where colors seem to be more vivid and the smells of spring are slowly more common to us than exhaust and clorox. We woke up yesterday overlooking Pearisburg and the New River. It felt like heaven.

Returning home today to be with family - will be coming back to the trail in a few days.

Pearisburg - mile 623 and counting

Hello! Brahma and Sweet P. here in Pearisburg, VA. We are at the Courthouse Cafe. I'm having a ridiculous egg, cheese and tomato bagel with a piping hot mug of coffee. Coffee is the one thing that I can't get enough of when we come to town. Well, not the one thing. One among many. Many of the others being: hot water, clean floors, surfaces on which to lay things (like tables, counters, beds) and cotton sheets.

We swung by the post office first thing - got another sweet care package from JJ and Don. You guys rock! What did you do? Hit up the hispanic section? I love Sponcho! or whatever those cookies are, and all the other goodies. Thank you!! Here is something else you can send us (since you asked :). Nido. It's whole powdered milk and we can't find it anywhere in these little rural towns b/c there's not enough of an ethnic population - but you will find it in your neck of the woods easy. It comes in a container that looks like baby formula.
Balkcom
Post Office
Waynesboro, VA 22980
Hold for AT Thru-hiker

We also got a card and some love from Dustan's parents - thanks Ron and Dawn! And Mamaw Owen, thanks for the letter! We are so sad that Papaw is struggling with his health and we are thinking and praying for you both constantly. It was great to hear from you and hopefully I can write soon.

The day before yesterday we came thru Bland and stopped at Trent's Grocery where we got some more greasy spoon food which included - much to Amy's chagrin - lots of pork. Then we paid actual money for the grossest shower I've ever seen. I felt it needed to be blasted by the fire department. But I showered. We also paid (real dollars) to camp in the field behind Trent's with other hikers, 2 horses and lots of tarp-covered campers that belong to hunters when the season is open. There was a tanning bed in the barn where the horses slept and a bottle of chocolate milk sitting by the showerhouse that predates Jesus. It was altogether ich. Like pouring $15 down the drain. On the way back to the trail I fed my bag of baby carrots to the horses and one of them bit the fire out of my thumb. We left Trent's and hiked 23 miles until we came to Pearisburg!

The 23-miler was our longest day so far. Only a few miles more and it woulda been a marathon! This morning our feet were so swollen but they have gone down now. Last night I thought of you Marth. A mouse ran up the outside of our tent (on the mesh part) with its little tail and wiggly body and it was really freaky - and I even like mice. You would have had cardiac arrest.

We are getting ready to check in to a motel and LET A MACHINE DO OUR LAUNDRY. It's about time. Then we'll be hitting up Food Lion, Rite Aid, and pretty much every food establishment in between. Hopefully I'll be back to add pictures to this post and the last one.

Love, Brahma Bull and Sweet Potato

Hello from - where are we again?

Hey all! So we are in....hang on...Troutdale, VA. We've managed to bypass the rain pretty successfully ever since leaving stormy Damascus. Right now we're at Jerry's Kitchen where the coffee is served in a huge white mug and the cream flows from a tiny silver pitcher. The weird part is that the New Kids On the Block have apparently reunited and are performing on the Today Show. So that's what is happening in the real world?? Great, now I'm going to have "The Right Stuff" in my head all day. We are going back to the wilderness soon.

The past few days have brought us through the Grayson Highlands, and we're glad to be done! This area has a lot of memories for us. In January a couple years back Dust and I took a winter trip in this section that ended in us calling Dad to come get us. This past January Dustan and Justin spent the coldest night of the year up here. So we were a little anxious about making it thru this section. It's full of rocks, balds and wild ponies. No, I don't think the horse in the last post was wild but these ponies pretty much are. They are overseen by a group of pony lovers, but otherwise they roam free. I wish I had time to post pics, but I will do that later. These ponies are sandy blonde, splotchy red, old and craggly, young and tiny (yeah - we saw about 6 babies!) and we even got to pet a few of them. Apparently over the years the ponies have become accustomed to salt on the hikers' hands so they will just meander over to you and start licking your hand. I loved it. The whole time I sang "My Little Po-NY!" And I took so many pictures I thought Dustan was going to leave me there.

Yesterday as we hiked, Dust and I discussed what it would be like to be a vegetarian. We run into lots of them out here on the trail and so it's something we've both had on the brain. We've always said that we could give up meat pretty easily compared to sugar or dairy or something. So anyway, I told him that during some of my free thinking time (i.e. hiking) I thought it would be cool to write a book called The Day the World Stopped Eating Meat - a sort of fictional hypothesis of the outcomes on our society if we all became veggieheads. So we were talking about how the world can't live on meat efficiently, and how you'd have to get really creative with dinner, etc. and then - we came to a road crossing and someone had taped a business card next to the blaze that said "2.7 miles - Best Burger on the Trail." We ended up in this little greasy spoon called Jerry's Kitchen and ate the best burger in the world. Bacon cheeseburger, to be specific. The timing was pretty ironic, but boy I'm glad we're here!

We ended up staying the night (the rainy night, which always feels great when you time it right) in a small hostel connected to a little church and it was awesome. We hand-scrubbed our hiking clothes and hung them out to dry, took a shower, played Connect Four and met a really neat guy named Brian, a former lawyer from Chicago who is riding his bike from Yorktown to Oregon on the TransAmerica Trail. We drilled him. (Check his blog here). It was so refreshing to meet someone other than a hiker so we asked the poor guy a bazillion questions. In the end, all of us agreed that during the short time we've been "out in the wild" we've been amazed at the kindness of other people. Lately some pretty hairy stories have been circulating concerning violence on the AT, but when you experience the genuine hospitality of others - Keith at Goose Creek Cabins in Georgia, Curtis at Standing Bear Farm, Bob and Pat Peoples at Kincora Hostel, Jerry here in Troutdale, even Carolyn in her pickup who let us throw our packs in the back and toted us here - it reminds you that not all people are shady characters. Brian said it well - it's like an antitdote for all those other stories you hear.

Soon I will mail the memory stick that's full home to sis and she can upload tons of pictures. Til then, we are back on the trail (skipping Trail Days this year) and will be plodding our way through VA. The Homeplace is listed as a great place to eat Jo - so we will be in touch as we near the area. And Bethany - I'll keep you posted on Shenandoahs. We have had no cell service since we left home. So can someone who reads this blog call my mom and tell her I miss her, the Mill Creek Girls, Trail and Bridge? Because she doesn't have internet connection back there in the boonies. :)

Send mail if you want to:
Dustan and Betsy Balkcom
Post Office
Pearisburg, VA 24134
Please hold for AT thru-hiker

One more cup of coffee, then back to the trail. It's 14 miles today to Partnership Shelter.

Love, Brahma Bull and Sweet Potato

Postponing the inevitable...

So we got to Damascus yesterday after church, waved off by our families, and we looked at the ominous sky and the exposed underside of leaves whipping in the wind and we decided to get some ice cream. Then we went to the Hikers Inn and got a room. Then a ham and cheese sub....


Today we are leaving. No, really - we are. Right now I'm at the Damascus Library uploading some pics for you and then we'll hit Dairy King one more time for some eggs and coffee and then we'll head north, no matter how rainy it is. Here are some moments from our time at home:


Amryn Reese (Reece?) Esteppe. I really know how to spell my niece's name. What a superstar she is. It was great hanging out with family.


Mom's house. Sweet tea, lounging on the front porch, reuniting with our animals. Trail is doing great. She barely noticed us when she saw us again, that's how much she is loving living at Hidden Valley with the Mill Creek girls (mom's puppies).

Good ol' Bridger. He still loves to drink out of the sink.
And the Cave. This is where Dustan found himself a lot. We missed Dad being there.

Here's a few pics from the trail:

Our nasty feet. This is Dustan's blisters and just my dirty toes.



Then there was the day we found the glorious waterfall. Jones Falls.

The climb up Roan Mountain. Extremely hard and no good view at the top. So my feelings were...



Hump Mountain on the other hand was an amazing bald. Here's Dustan's backpack beside a kairn. Am I spelling that right?

And there were horses up there.

Ok, my session will end in 4 minutes so I have to make this snappy. Wish I had more time to tell some stories and put up more pictures. Just want to thank everyone who came to Outback to see us on Wednesday night - what a treat! Especially to Sarah and Toni - they drove a long way to see me. I love you guys!

Ok, on to the Grayson Highlands. We might be back for Trail Days if we pop out in Marion and Jeremy Weaver kidnaps us, but only maybe. :)

Peace out from Brahma and Sweet P.

Coming Home

I wish I had the time and the high-speed internet connection to post loads of pictures from Roan Mountain to Kincora Hostel to a waterfall we found one hot day to Watauga Dam, but I don't - I guess that will wait til another trail town with a public library. Until now, here's one of me with Ryland and Amryn. Home has been wonderful. Mom picked us up in Damascus on Wednesday and we'll be back on the trail tomorrow.

The lushness of the season here is gorgeous. The trees are full and the green fields sprawl out to edges tucked in deep shade. Ask me if spring is better out on the trail or in civilization. Um - civilization. Where front porches and iced tea and sudsy warm water abounds. No but really, we're pumped to get back on the trail.

Important News Bulletin from Sweet Potato and Bull

The hikers left me a voicemail to get the word out that they will be entering Damascus tomorrow (Wednesday, May 7). They've hiked over 400 miles and are ready to rest their weary soles at Outback Steakhouse. So, if you're interested on seeing them in the flesh, show up at the Exit 7 Outback Steakhouse at 5pm on Wednesday.
Everyone Welcome!!

Friends on the Trail

Well, we're still here in Erwin due to torrential rains and the aroma of Pizza Plus...

Thought I'd go ahead and put some more pics up while I have all this unlimited internet access. I'm thrilled to report that I was able to cut more patches/straps/pockets etc. off my pack and mail some more clothes home. Cutting pack weight is better than pizza - and you can quote me on that.

I thought I'd go ahead and share some pics of the people we've met along the way. Trail life would never be as good without them!

Random order of both friends and chronology.

Happy Tracker on the top of Blackstack Cliffs.

Dustan in Hot Springs at the outfitter with Wayne - a gear expert with an all-too elusive ingredient: HUMILITY.

Hoot and Sundance in the Smokies. Check them out at wayfaringnorth.blogspot.com (basically they're telling the same story, we're hiking together!)

Random one of me that I can't rotate - I take great lengths to get bananas on the trail.

Muffin Paste overlooking North Carolina (or is Tennessee?)

Holler at the post office (also not rotated).

Dustan by a stream.

Bert. Great guy - used to have looooooong hair. Has a dog at home named Ernie that looks like Trail.

Matthewski. I took his picture by this sign because it pretty much captures him. He's 47 and you would never know it. He's a little crazy. I think people are looking for him....

Freefall, Bert, Longshot, Paste. And the dog - Heidi. We were at a home of some former thru-hikers who gave AMAZING trail magic. We're talking belgian waffles, a long drink list, veggie beef stew, and for dessert - banana splits, ice cream sundaes, etc. I have pictures, but those are for another time.

The gang hiking.

The gang eating breakfast in a gas station in Erwin, TN where a short-order cook makes some mean biscuits and gravy. Blaze and The Breeze are the ones seated. Great guys.

Happy Tracker. We love this guy. Yes, he's always happy. Tracker because he tracked a bear and recovered some bear bags. This picture was taken in the morning and we were all eating breakfast but he charmed our waitress into bringing him a double cheeseburger with fries. At like 9 in the morning.

Crashing at a shelter. Holler, Bert, Paste.

Cayenne and Rie. We miss you guys! Somehow we got separated. These are our American Idol buffs. Go David Archuletta

Quick hello from Erwin, TN

Brahma Bull and Sweet Potato signing in to say hello from Erwin, TN. We arrived this afternoon around 12:14pm - just before the deluge! We were given a room and quickly shuttled to an AYCE buffet at Pizza Plus. The life! I (Betsy) am doing much better with the whole queasy thing, in fact, I am feeling better than ever.

We will be in Damascus before long - maybe like less than 2 weeks? I have some pics to upload but not sure I have the time. I'm sharing the internet with a hostel full of hikers who miss their email.

Happy Trails!

Max Patch

Sunday was my birthday. (you know I'd work that in at some point) Sweet Potato called me early Sunday morning from Deep Gap to wish me Happy Birthday. She said they would probably be coming through Max Patch in the morning sometime and that they were on their way to Hot Springs, NC. Mike and I were all ready for church. We got in the car, drove halfway down Chapman Hwy and I said "this is ridiculous! I wanna see my sis! Let's try to catch them" So, we drove 2 hours to Max Patch (it's not that heroic, we were headed that way anyway for the Feist concert in Asheville) and parked our bums on a blanket right in front of the Trail. About 40 minutes later, look who showed up:

It was just so unbelievably cool and amazing that we actually caught them. we had no idea what time they'd be coming through..just that it would be sometime that day.






It was so cold up there so we relocated to the car for a while. Here's sis looking like she's eating her very first orange:

 

Off they go. Back to their adventure...(you can see them in the distance if you click to enlarge the pic)

 

Hello from Hot Springs, NC!

Hey friends - Betsy here! I'm at a public library in Hot Springs and finally got the chance to login. Thank you so much for all the comments - it's so fun to check and see who is following. Guess what - we've hiked 271.7 miles so far!

I saw that several of you were asking about sending mail. Our next stop will be Erwin, TN. Send to:
Betsy (or Dustan) Balkcom
Post Office
Erwin, TN 37650
Please hold for AT thru-hiker

Things are going good for us. I got sick a few days ago (Thurs night) feeling queasy and just unwell. I don't know what it was but now I'm feeling better. All I know is that it was pretty brutal and if someone gave me an easy button, I would be hitting that thing and sending myself home. I cried going up a hill (plus it was freeeezing) and Dust said "Wifey when we get to Hot Springs, you're getting a massage." So I have an appointment in an hour and a half. :)

We are definitely getting stronger and more fit. I bought a belt, Dustan keeps buying more and more candy bars and refusing to share them with me. No but honestly, I'm getting a little sick of camp food. If I see another pot of ramen I might hurl. I think that might be part of my queasiness. Dustan on the other hand is the all-consuming machine. Every day for lunch he eats 2 peanut butter and honey tortillas (ugh). Today we went to the Smoky Mountain Diner for breakfast. He ordered 2 eggs, bacon, gravy, biscuits, fried apples, ate it all and then told our waitress "I'd like to do that all over again." So she brought him another breakfast.

We are staying in a little creekside cottage here in Hot Springs, and it is heaven on earth. There is no satisfaction in this life like hiking for literally days in grimy hiking clothes, in sweat and wind and rain, and suddenly walking into a town with a hot shower and a king-sized bed and a diner that serves everything from hashbrowns to cheeseburgers. I still have what I call hobbit feet - meaning my feet and toes are swollen and have an unbudgeable dirt around the toenails no matter how much soaking - but other than that our bodies are holding up well. We ended up mailing our boots home before the Smokies and getting shoes. The boots just weren't necessary and comfort is what matters when you're hiking 15 miles a day.

Sunday (seems like forever ago) we crossed Max Patch and had an amazing surprise. Dustan looked up and saw a guy with a glider and he goes "Bets, that's Mike Lantz!" We were staring, stumbling in disbelief and then - there was my sister! They came to see us and brought us fruit. We sat in their warm car and talked, and it totally got us thru the day. I had been feeling pretty bad, and that was just a huge cheer-up. They took a bunch of pics so I'll let sis insert the pics from that day.

I just want to say a big thanks to her for keeping this website updated. I know you guys are loving having current info and we sure love the feedback.

Here are some pics of us in the Smokies and beyond:

First day in Smokies, gathered firewood:


The "cage" you see is a chain-link fence to keep bears out. Yeah, real comforting.


Second day in the Smokies the snow hit. A ridgerunner (a person from the ATC that monitors a chain of shelters) came and told us to stay at our shelter, even though we were just stopping in for lunch. The storm was coming, the temp was dropping so we all stayed there.


And we were glad we did. As people rolled up, the shelter filled and tents were pitched outside the shelter. We probably had 30 sets of chattering teeth there that night.


We built a roaring fire (so cool that the ATC included a fireplace in the design of all the shelters in the Smokies) and dried out our clothes. This saved us from going into Gatlinburg and getting stuck there for 3 days like many of our friends! Apparently they closed the road due to weather.


The next day was glorious. The sun came out, and we were overjoyed.




But I did burn the logos off my new shoes - guess they got a little too close to the fire!


The snow made the view in the Smokies that much better. I'll spare you a million boring landscapes, but here are a few amazing vistas (much better in person).




Me on the Clingman's Dome lookout. Clingman's is the highest point on the AT, at an elevation of 6,643 feet. We have this saying "It's all downhill to Maine." What a joke.


I was kinda obsessed with the fallen trees and massive root systems exposed as a result. Here's me in front of one.


When we came out of the Smokies, we literally walked into spring. Before I could snap the picture, a fairy landed on my shoulder. I swear!


Standing Bear Farm was a nice respite for weary hikers in the Smokies.




Except for the fact that I had to wash my clothes by hand like a pioneer woman. They basically marinated in sock juice. I don't recommend this antiquated style of doing laundry! But it was a cool photo opp.


Lastly, just before we arrived at Hot Springs we passed a few shelters (and camped at one) where a mother bear and 2 cubs have been stealing some serious amounts of food. Seen here are our "bear bags." At the end of every day before you retire to your tent, you gather all food, trash and food-smelling items, consolidate them into a few bags and hang them from a tree branch at least 10 feet up, 4 feet out and 4 feet down. It's a chore, but it's worth it!

The warming trend has caused bears to come out of hibernation earlier, and the berries aren't ready yet. So we have a lot of hungry bears wandering around that have gotten hooked on Snickers, oatmel, pasta and granola. Our friends Pixie, Holler, Muffin Paste, Happy Tracker, Blaze, and Hiker Dave all had their food stolen the night before last. The bear also dragged Hiker Dave's tent into the woods about 30 feet and ripped his rainfly. (Fortunately he wasn't in the tent!) Since bears are primarily vegetarians and all they're after is the food, we're really not afraid of them. But all of this to say to the laidback hikers who use their food bag as a pillow: it pays to hang your food!



Ok, I better scram (like I said, I'm getting a massage - because it's a hard life on the AT!). Thanks again to sis for updating and for all of you for checking in.

Quick Update: The hikers are already through the Smokies! They've hiked 11-15 miles a day through 8" of snow in some spots and are now at Davenport Gap. More to come...

Mike and I had a great time meeting the hikers in Fontana to pick up Trail. They got a room for the night at the Fontana Village Resort and we chilled with them in the room and had a delicious meal at the restaurant in the village. I offered to bring a picnic but Sis stated emphatically that she did not want to eat outside. I guess she's been doing that a lot lately!  I got to hear lots of stories about people they had met and what a typical day on the AT consists of.  

Which goes something like: 

~ wake up (on & off all night) at 6:30am

~ Find hiking clothes in the tent, change into them horizontally    (this is apparently really difficult)

 ~ Stuff sleeping bag into stuff sack
 ~ deflate and pack up Thermarest sleeping pad
 ~ get all clothes, head lamps, reading materials out of the tent
 ~ dismantle tent, pack backpacks item by item
~ heat water for coffee and oatmeal
~ HIKE!
~ munch all day (see pic for a typical AT fare), stop for lunch & air out feet if sunny
~ hike to camp spot
~ set it all up again

It was cool to hear about all the different people they have met (like this couple from Canada who are in their 60's!) Apparently, everyone signs log books along the way with their trail names in them and when hikers then catch up to one another or cross paths, it's like they know a little piece about the other hiker already. I love hearing all the names too. Pick, Sherlock, Bucky, The Weatherman (this guy always writes the forecast in the log books..no one knows how he always has it). It sounds like they've met some real characters already.

When we met them in Fontana, I think they had hiked 141 miles. Haven't 

heard from them in a while but they should be at Max Patch in North Carolina in a couple of weeks or so.
They looked great and well cared for....I was glad to see my sis wasn't stumbling out of the woods with dreadlocks and a loin cloth. Although, she could probably get away with that. If anyone would like to send them mail, just leave a comment and I will try to get you an address (either to me or to a post office along the way) We should be seeing them again in a few weeks so we can deliver anything then.

 Just from talking to them in person, it sounds like  they're having the time of their lives, learning a  lot about each other (according to Bets, she needs  work on her decision making skills) and meeting some great characters  along the way. 

 

 Trail is safe and sound back at Hidden Valley. She didn't  seem too sad      to curl up on the couch in Betsy's room. Ha!

Bye, bye Trail (the dog)

After careful consideration, Bull and Sweet Potato have decided not to pick Trail back up after the Smokies. Doesn't she look bummed? I think the Sis and Dustan just feel like it's best for her and them if she goes back to Hidden Valley. Here's a little look back at her AT experience. After all, she did hike 130 miles with them:

Rarin' to go...

First night in the tent...

Aaah..now that's more like it...

On a rainy day at an AT shelter..

Catchin' a ride on a magic bus..

Dreaming of Hidden Valley....

The decision to not bring her along any further will definitely lighten their loads mentally and physically (no more dog food to carry) but I know they'll miss that ole Bah-bah girl.

Betsy's trail name "Sweet Potato" has complete stuck.  They recently had their first rest day  and worked on gear repair, downsizing, and drying out. They've been hiking in the rain off and on for days. Trail was left alone in the tent for a little while and ripped a whole in the screen (luckily not an essential part!) Dustan spent the majority of that day sewing the hole with dental floss.  (Thanks, Steve Ball!) He got a sunburn on this day but the next few days would prove to be nothing but rain, fog, dripping, wind and more fog. Fog as in, a big cloud came and plopped it's fat butt on top of the mountain. 

They stopped at Blue Mountain Shelter (right) to dry out. "Sherlock" is on the left (he smokes a pipe all the time) Dave from Mai

ne is on the right. He's their best

 friend so far. 

They have mailed back items to Hidden Valley in order to lighten the load. Sounds like they are figuring out exactly what they need on a daily basis and what things are unecessary luxury, otherwise know as: weight. 

This is over 7 lbs of gear they sent back. They can't "go lite" because it would mean a ton of expensive gear. Seen here: extra vitamins, socks, a fry pan, hat, thermarest folding chairs, spoons, dogfood, bra, shorts.  

Lots O' Pics and They're doing great!

Hey everyone..just got some pics emailed to me. These are from the first week or so..

Dustan and Trail at beginning of the trail:

Sis smokin' a Slim Jim..

In the tent...

On Blood Mountain...

Trail, all tuckered out from her climb up Blood Mtn : Elevation 4450 ft...

How cute are these two? 

...more Week 1

Sis called Mom last night with an update. She and Dustan have walked about 31 miles so far. They were at Neel's Gap (click here to see a map) and that they have seen many beautiful vistas along the way. Dustan has shin splits and pretty horrible blisters but they are plugging on through. They caught a ride into town for a cheeseburger and to give their feet a rest. She also mentioned that Trail is doing really well as the 3rd hiker.

UPDATE: This is Goose Creek Cabin. The man that took them here had just dropped his daughter and son-in-law off at Springer and was taking a pit stop on his way home. He and his wife love Jesus and they were AWESOME. 

All cleaned up and ready to eat a cheeseburger. Unfortunately, they ate dinner with a man who loved to talk about himself and is a member of every outdoor volunteer club in the nation. 

The Journey Begins..

Hey everyone. This is Stacy (aka Sis) checking in to let everyone know that Bets and Dustan have been successfully dropped off at Springer Mountain. We drove almost 4 hours on Monday through Tennessee into Georgia, stopping only to get fuel for their camp stove and some extra long Slim Jims. See Left: Dustan getting fuel in the background. The drop-off destination was much more remote than any of us thought it would be. (2 hours of country roads, 7 miles of narrow gravel road straight up a mountain- in my sports car!) You can't tell from the pictures but it was snowing and COLD. There were about 5 other hikers in the lot where we stopped but I'm not sure if they were through-hikers or not. They just saw Trail with her pack and said "That's hardcore, man". Music to my sister's ears, I'm sure. Ha.

They were so excited and as you can see, Trail was geared up as well. Betsy called Mom yesterday from the top of a ridge in Georgia. They had hiked 8 miles and it was 24 degrees on their first night. They slept well though and were toasty in their sleeping bags. In a couple of weeks, Mike and I will meet them at the mouth of the Great Smokies to pick up Trail. She'll be staying with us in Knoxville for a few weeks while they hike that section of the AT then we'll meet them again in Max Patch, NC to give her back. I'll will update with any information I have along the way and will pass along any comments that are left to them when we see each other in a couple of weeks. Thanks for everyone who is praying for their safety and sharing the excitement of their trek!

Our Last Day of Civilization

This morning Mom, Dustan, Trail and I set out for Knoxville, TN.  The Jeep was loaded down with our huuuuge backpacks (his is weighing in at 50 and mine is around 41.8), Trail's pack (weighing 9.7) and extra bags of Trail's high energy dogfood.  

We had to do 2 maildrops for Trail's food.  One in Franklin, NC and one in Erwin, TN.  She has to consume roughly 5 cups/2000 calories per day to avoid losing muscle tissue.  I've heard that there are people that take their dogs on the trail but don't feed them enough and you run into some pretty emaciated dogs.  We have an emergency cell so I can make a call to PETA. :)

Today we will spend Easter here with sis and Mike, and her culinary skill has produced everything from chicken salad to coconut creme pie to tomato chutney to quiche.  This is the kind of caloric send-off we've been getting from everyone who hosts us.  It might not hurt us to get down to the muscle tissue-burning phase of weight loss!

Tomorrow morning sis will drive us from Knoxville to the trail head in Springer Mountain.  I'm scared to even Google the weather in northern Georgia....

When the going gets cold...

...the cold keep going.

There's nothing like waking up in a tent with a bursting bladder only to discover your boots are freezing, the rain is falling, and the wind won't let it touch the ground. Pretty much the only option is to stomp around in your boots, do some jumping jacks and just keep hiking.

This is the thing about hiking in winter months. Maybe you don't think of March as being winter any more than you'd imagine feet of snow in Georgia. But on the AT, weather is crazy. It changes quickly and it precipitates constantly. Those who begin their thru-hike any earlier than March 1st are guaranteed some snow. This is one of the reason's we are very content with our new start date of March 24th.

Back in January, Dustan and his pal Justin Honaker decided to take a little joy-hike up to Mount Rogers. They literally picked the coldest night of the year. Without getting in to their reasoning (or lack thereof) they didn't take a tent. They opted instead for a shelter that didn't keep out the snow, and ended up sleeping halfway inside their backpacks.

I love these frozen-faced smiles...

I think we have most all of our gear. There are a few things that we need for the summer months that we'll probably pick up along the way, closer to Damascus. Like a long, broomstick skirt for me. I've read they are really convenient for women on the trail because they're lightweight, great for going into towns, and quick-drying. We also need insect repellant (like heavy-duty cancer-causing DEET for mosquito and black fly epidemics) and some sunscreen. When it comes to sharing toiletries, the only brand Dust and I can agree on is Burt's Bees, so I'm on the lookout. We're getting ready for our AT night on Monday and Dustan is going to give a little sleeping bag demo. I think he was inspired by his January travels!

Ok, more to come...

Happy Trails!

Gearing Up - literally

Hey everyone!

Thanks for visiting our little portal on the internet. This is where we'll be blogging about our journey on the Appalachian Trail.

Monday, March 24th, 2008 will begin the long walk from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Katahdin in Maine.

If you are in the Southwest Virginia area, you're invited to an informal presentation of our plans to thru-hike the AT. It's Monday, March 17th at Lebanon Community Fellowship Church from 7-9pm. We'll be giving some general facts about the Trail and our specific thru-hike, we'll bring our gear for you to check out, and we'll answer all your questions about food planning, packing firearms, cell phone service and how to have a good attitude when sleeping in a soggy tent.

In the meantime, if anyone has any suggestions about my (Betsy's) trail name, I'd love to hear them! Dustan's is "Brahma Bull" - a nickname given to him by Bruce Hornsby back in Williamsburg. It can be shortened to "The Bull" or just "Hey, Bull!" - and he really likes it. I don't really have any good nicknames or ideas, so throw in your two cents if you have them.

We'd love to see you on the 17th!

Happy Trails,

Dustan & Betsy
Cleveland, VA 2008