The following has been transcribed directly from the journal that I kept while hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT).
Friday, May 19th, 2000
12:10 pm. 86 degrees.
Drove family to Asheville, NC for vacation and looked for the Appalachian Trail due north of Asheville towards Faust, NC. We found construction, heavy construction, being done to pass a four lane highway right over the top of the trail (which currently crosses a lonely stretch of 2 lane highway within view of the Tennessee border). The trail was slightly hidden due to the construction but not hard to find. It was 100 yards before, and in view of, the Tennessee border. We parked the van after a 5 hour drive and everyone got their boots on for the hike.
This will be their first steps on the Appalachian trail! It is much greener here, in NC than it was in GA. It has been 18 days since the “Army 5” got off the trail and it has called me every day since I left. Perhaps the 18 days of Spring weather was enough to foster al this growth or maybe it is a totally different ecological system—probably a bit of both. The trail here is pretty easy going. No elevation changes to note for quite a while. Many birds chirping and lot’s of grasshoppers jumping out of our way as we step.
We pass a nice stream with a trail that leads up to a secluded area to camp. We continue on the trail, up a steep, but short series of climbs up to the top of a great hill with the most awesome view of a grassy meadow.
During our walk up the hill I was passed by a woman thru hiker-I pause and turn around to see---Yes! It is and older man thru hiker behind me. It is the father and daughter that we saw on the 25th of April on Frosty Mountain—Sonny and Rascal! What luck to see them again on this very spot of all places on the trail. I am very excited and talk to the man and remind him of who I am. They both move on and disappear into the woods…
Minutes later we summit the Mountain and the trees open to a beautiful flowing meadow full of flowering strawberry plants. Awesome view of the Smokey mountains. Perfect place to live. Took many pictures of all of us and of Emily and Benjamin alone. Then back up the hill, down the hill, past the stream and to the sound of the construction on the highway.
This hike was more difficult mentally than the 7 days in Georgia. Even though we had no specific goal today, we inevitable felt rushed. We did a good job of trying to relax and let the kids guide us at their pace-which is important for creating a good environment in which they will want to hike more-but they do tire out…and maybe that drags on your mind to try to keep them happy and walking…was fun though! Good trip and happy to get them on the trail!
Today's total: 4 miles (round trip)
Trip Total: 4 miles
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