OmPi's Adventures

I left camp fairly early. As a whole my experience at muskrat was just average, so I didn't feel a lot of sentiment about leaving. I wasn't just a bit up the trail that it warmmed up and so I took off my jacket but left on my pant baselayer. Note to self just take all cold weather items off before leaving camp and get to hiking asap in order to warm up.

Jouls caught up with me, she had stayed at the border. Averaging about 20 miles a day, that lady can hike. We had a number of good conversations and hiked along at a steady pace. As we were discussing Trail Magic a gentleman named Luke caught up and hiked with us for a bit. Nice guy around my age from upstate New York.

The day unfolded without a lot of excitement. There was one section where it felt like I was hikeing into a shire. Then I crossed Coleman gap, which reminded me that my cousin Coleman will be coming to hike with me with me within the next month. As midday approached I found myself on top of Standing Indian Mountain so I took a blue blaze trail and found a magical little grassy bald at the top that overlooked a beautiful mountain range. I took a lunch, did some yoga and meditated. It was pretty magical just sitting there hearing the flies, bee's, birds and watching the butterflies. The gentle buzz of nature just set me at peace with the world.

Coming off the mountain I found a bear sanctuary sign, but what interested me was that the tree was consuming it. If this is what the trees do I'd hate to consider what is possible by the bears. Just before entering camp I came across a beautiful stream and just sat there enjoying the flowing water for a bit. I tried to get a recording of the sound but haven't quite nailed that down yet so a photo will have to do.

The day ended like many others with setting up camp and doing camp chores before settling in around a fire for some community. I met Kid and Don who were hiking from Amacolola. Both devout Christian's and Kid had taken a semester off to hike the trail as a form of a mission trip. Nice guys and enjoyable fire conversation.

As I settled into my camp I talked with my Partner and we managed to arrange his first visit which will be over trail days. This is a huge hiker festival in Damascus, VA. I'm really looking forward to seeing him, as the distance has got to be the hardest part for me out here. It is now well past hiker modnight. Tomorrow is a hard day so I must rest. Much love to all.

OmPi ( ॐ π )

The morning started with muffins and little cakes and coffee at the Top of GA Hostel. Oh and coffee of course. I learned a lesson from another hiker, Luigi, to add hot cocoa powder to the coffee cup in order to make it a mocha and of course add calories. HUMMM... Bullet Proof coffees would probably be amazing for hikers.

Anyway I caught the 8am shuttle up the .5 mile road leaving TOG behind. I think the biggest thing I took from my listening to Bob was to slow down. There was something freeing about being given permission to just take it slow. Early that day I hiked with a few people from the hostel but the one specifically impressed me. Her name is Tink Toes who had until August 8th to finish her trek. 4 months is a short period though entirely doable, hell grandma Gatewood did it in about 4 months and she was 65, I hope she makes it.

My meditation for the day found its inspiration from the trees. I was reflecting on how trees are so grounded and go not just deep but also wide. They are grounded in what feeds them and gives them life. So too must we figure out what nourishes our spirits and commit ourselves to that, diging in deep and spreading out from there taking all that we can from the source.

A huge milestone was reached today when I crossed the GA/NC border. The Appalachian Trail  runs through 14 states and I have managed to hike through the first of them. This was a monumental occasion and cause for a celebration.

While relaxing and enjoying the accomplishment over lunch at the water source just inside NC I had the pleasure of meeting a lady who goes by Jouls. She is of German heritage but has lived in the states for many years. We go to talking food and I discovered she dehydrated much of her own farm raised foods. Come to find our she lives a self-sufficient lifestyle in Northern California on 40 acres, something that is somewhat of a dream of mine. We didn't talk long but she invited me to come visit on our adventure up the costal highway.

North Carolina's welcome was like a huge F-U! Within the first mile and a half we had an elevation gain of 1000 feet. Luckily before the climb there is this amazing tree at Bly Gap thst provided sone beauty to consider on the bitch of a climb. Needless to say when I reached the next camp I was ready to crash. The shelter was nice enough and camping around it very dispersed where everyone had their own spots. I set up and did my camp chores and got situated with a few people around a fire. The night went fairly quickly and before I knew it hiker midnight had come.