OmPi's Adventures

This week started off with an amazing hike to the most photographed place on the Appalachian Trail, McAfee Knob. What an exceptional day it was waking at 4am and hiking the 1.5 miles up to catch first light and sunrise. The knob itself is something to see but the views are like none I have yet found on the trail. Mountain ranges and valleys with cities and farm lands as far as the eye can see. There is so much glory of raw nature but for me I have grown to love and find so beautiful the creative and mastery power of the human will and spirit that takes charge, manipulating that nature. It raises cities and beings fulfillment to the earth.

That day also included hiking over the Tinker cliffs which is the exact opposite mountain from McAfee knob. These cliffs were beautiful in a way that words and photos cannot capture but must be visited. In the future I will hike this 20 mile section again and simply divide it over a 3 day period to be able to get the most of all it can offer.

My hiking buddy for the week was Storm, we managed to catch up with some friends, the Royal Couple (Slosh and Scavenger) from early in the trail, actually the first thru-hikers I met still in Atlanta. We took a brief rest at the Howard Johnson Express on Daleville. I give my full recomendation to this establishment, clean, affordable, swimming pool, grill, and includes breakfast.

The next few days are all a bit of a blur running together without a lot to report. The trail was fine but nothing that stands out to mention. I was glad to slow my pace as my ankle issues have started to flair up again. There were a couple swimming holes and even a bit of trail magic along the way.

Today, Wednesday, I experienced my first and apparently last "Take it easy Wednesday". This was created by the Royal Couple to have a day where miles were reduced and you got to enjoy a bit more of the trail. It so happened that it also corresponded to their resupply at a little hostel. 3 Springs Hostel is owned by Oma, a sincere trail angel, who section hiked the portion of the trail that I am currently hiking. She realized how hard it was to resupply in this particular section on her hike and decided to do something about it. As soon as she finished her hike she called a realtor and began looking for a plot of land in the area that was near the trail. When she found a little homestead property just about a mile off trail surrounded by national forest land she quickly bought it and opened her hostel.

With a kind and curtious personality that makes you feel at home she provides a little higher priced hostel. For the price though you get a far superior hostel experience closer to that of a B&B. The best and most noticeable feature was how clean everything was. Even though we were not staying we we welcomed openly to enjoy the beautiful property, resupply (very reasonable prices and many options), she also had a limited but delicious hiker menu for hot lunch and dinner. The best though was the Ice  Cream which she mixed as they do at Cold Stone or Marble Slab, your base flavors were limited to vanilla or chocolate but the add ins were numerous and able to be customized to your liking. She then mixed by hand a personal bowl of flavorful ice cream in one of 3 sizes, day hiker (8oz), section hiker (12 oz) or Thru-hiker  (16 oz). If you are passing thru this section of the trail or while on your thru hike be sure to visit this amazing little hostel. I would recommend staying bit of not go for a quick meal and Ice Cream!

Though the week was a little more low key I am still enjoying the trail. I can hardly believe that I am more than half way through Virginia, and over 800 miles into this 2189 mile adventure. I promise to get back to posting more regular blog updates though they will probably cover a week rather than a day at a time.

Much Love to All!

I'm really am trying to get back on track and have notes and photos that I will post when I have a moment until then here is my dispatch to the Naples Daily News for weeks 7 & 8. My Virginia Blues set in on the Appalachian Trail. In the last 2 weeks I have learned that Virginia is not at all flat but it has some of the most beautiful vews so far on the trail.

Still way behind. Keeping up with a blog, three social media sites, writing for the local paper all while hiking the Appalachian Trail from dawn until dusk has turned out to be more than I can handle and creates a greater drain on my phones battery and backup battery pack than I ever expected. Here is my dispatch to the Naples Daily News for weeks 5 & 6 on the trail. This covers Trail Days, Lots of Rain, Entering Virginia and my birthday.

The morning was a slow start as is to be expected after a night like that. We got up and the room looked like a delivery truck for an outfitter had crashed and spilled gear everywhere. Freefall still needed to shop for his resupply so we headed to the grocer. Note to self get all town chores done before enjoying the down time. I still had to organize and pack my food away.

We decided on the 11am shuttle back to the trail head and I had one more shower in my future before leaving town. As the dust settled and gear was packed we realized there was still some beer left over so nothing like drinking your calories for breakfast. It probably goes without saying but that was not the smartest idea when getting ready to walk a dozen miles up, down and across some mountains.

My pace fluctuated a lot during the day but I arrived at the planned stopping point within about 90 minutes and wasn't ready to stop hiking so I carried on. Just a bit past the shelter there was a no blaze trail that led to to top of Siler Bald. Well worth the work to get to the top, plus I had the benefit of leaving my pack at the bottom.

Up there I met 13 Rays of Sunshine, a guy from Ft. Lauderdale hiking with his dog. He was enjoying the moment and taking advantage of the scenery meditating 5216 feet up a mountian. He was a neat guy and we leapfrogged a few times, always having a nice exchange. He is apparently doing many mail drops as well, as quality food for him is a priority. I hope to run into him again.

After sitting in a little meddow taking a break I felt the winds changing and knew the sky was going to open. That kicked me into high gear and I busted out the next 3 mikes to the shelter. On the way the trail crossed an old fire tower which provided some exceptional views. The blazes and signage in the area were a bit confusing though I managed to find my way.

After getting into the shelter camping area I set up camp, got some water and settled in. Less than an hour later the rain began. This is the first rain I have really experience on the trail but I know the saying is "No Pain, No Rain, NO Maine." The rain continued through the night and let up for about an hour in the morning but looking at the radar it is going to rain all day and night again before becoming beautiful.  I think I'm gonna take the #FairWeatherHiker method to heart and cozy in, waiting for things to stop before moving on.

Until next update. Much Love to All.

OmPi ( ॐ π )

There are certain days you just know are going to be great. When your day begins with Trail magic in the form of sausage and spanish rice burritos and a beer for Freefall from a guy named Chuck Wagon you know this is going to be one of those days. We lingered a little too long but who can pass up delicious Trail Magic?

The hike was thought to be a fairly easy 4 mile slight uphill and then descent. I don't know if it was the weight of the burrito or the anticipating an easy day but that hike was harder than I ever expected. We arrived late to the Gap and missed the shuttle, no big deal we will hitch. There must be an art of hitching, namely having a lady do it, to ensure a quick pickup. Freefall and I struggled for a bit before a trail angel Peggy picked us up. She was kind and brought us to the Budget Inn.

There we connected with the hikers who were right ahead of us so it was good to see people you started with are not near as far away as you expect. They shipped out and we settled in before heading to Outdoor 76 to get my resupply and grab a beer at their tap room.

Huge thanks to Auto Precision of Naples for sponsoring my resupply box. Carlo the owner is an incredible guy, anytime I have had an issue with my vehicle I know I can count on the guys at auto precision to take good honest care of me and my vehicle. Your support means the world!

We made our way over to the Lazy Hiker Brewing Co for some lunch and beers. This place just opened a little less than a year ago and they put out some amazing beer for being so new. Alex the beer tender took incredible care of us and the guys at Fork in the Road Food Truck put out some banging good food. This stop alone made the trip into Franklin a worthwhile visit.

We ended up spending a little too much time at the brewery since all of our hiking bubble showed up at different times. The pinnacle of the time there was the Giant Jenga game that half way through someone mentioned whoever topped the tower had to buy the next round. Sure enough you can count on the Birthday Boy, Freefall, to topple it. The time at the brewery ended with some passionate slightly intoxicated political discussions that a few of the locals KC and Aaron joined in on. We were finally asked to leave an hour after closing. We were "those people."

KC and Aaron asked the group if they could give us a ride back to the Budget Inn where the night continued in the parking lot or Car Park if you are the Royal Couple. Hiker midnight came and went and actual midnight hit so those staying (Sarah & Isla, and the Brits) at the hostel down the road headed out and we started to settle down. It wasn't 15 minutes later that they were back because they couldn't find their way home. I looked up their hostel and walked them back. When I got back I crashed hard.

The night was fun for a celebration but I was already antsy to get back on the trail. I find I never sleep as good in town so was ready to head out get some miles in and sleep the night through. Much love to all.

OmPi ( ॐ π )

I really hate to do this but I'm way behind on my blog so to help catch up here is the Naples Daily News publishing covering Week 3 & 4 on the Appalachian Trail.

Days and milage are getting longer providing less time to hike but I'm going to work to keep up a steady blog. My posts may begin to combine a few days together. Be sure to follow all my social media pages to get the fullest experience of all that is happening as it happens.

The first 4 miles went by so quickly we were all shocked when we got bottle necked at the water source. If only the whole trail were so easy,  but without the hard work you never get the view from the top. Anyway it was good to have an easy start as we had a pretty intense hike ahead. Just before reaching this difficult stretch on a back road in the middle of the NC mountains we  came across some Trail Magic.

A gentleman had all sorts of fresh fruit, coffee, OJ along with homemade cookies. Come to find out he does this 3 times a week for about 2 months a year during major hiking season over the last 4 years. It's still amazing to me that people will take time (45 minute drive) to help people they don't know. When I asked him he shared with me that he does it out of boredom but I suspect a nagging wife and this is his freedom. Lol.

The hike to the fire tower was basically straight up and a rock scramble but the view from the top made the struggle  worth it. It also marked the 100th mile on the AppalachianTrail, big milestone! As I continued my hike it has occurred to me that I am starting to develop my trail legs. I am moving faster with less pain and recovering more quickly.

When I arrive at camp I discover it is Freefall's 21st birthday. I've heard of him early on the trail and the story about how he fell out of his hammock on the first night which is where he got his name. He's a cool kid who saw the movie WILD and was sparked to hike the AT. He started a little under prepared but which of us didn't?

The hiker bubble that I've been hiking with includes the Royal Couple (Simon and Sarah), Sarah and her dog Isla, Bojangels, Spink and their dogs (Stella and Baxter), Freefall, Charcoal and a few others. It's been nice seeing familiar faces at camp every night. We are all running into Franklin tomorrow for a resupply and to get Freefall his first legal beer.

Tonight ended as many do around the camp fire laughing and talking. It's amazing the community and friendships you build in just a few weeks. As I write this I reflect on the statistics that say 75% of us won't make it, who will it be? I love all these guys and want to see them atop Mt. Katahdin with me. Hopefully we are the top 25% and just happened to find each other early. The fire is smoldering, it's well past hiker midnight. Much love to all.

OmPi ( ॐ π )