Little Bird and The Inspector's First Week

Peppy and I have each acquired a trail name.  The second day around lunch Peppy went around sniffing everybody to make sure that they hadn't left any crumbs behind, so he was named The Inspector.  After seeing how little I eat a fellow hiker told me I eat no more than a little bird and thus my trail name is Little Bird.

We have had gorgeous sunny weather, with temps in the 80s!  We weathered our first thunderstorm warm and dry in a shelter last night (Thursday, 4/11).  Peppy kept the ubiquitous shelter mice away from us, but everyone else had an acorn in each boot this morning!

We took our first nero day (low mileage day, i.e. near zero day), hiking 3.5 miles before heading into town (Hiawassee, GA) for showers, laundry, and a bed.  Our total mileage is 70 miles.

The computer is not working here, so this message is being transcribed by my wonderful (of course!) parents and pictures will will have to come in a later post.

Happy trails!

Little Bird and The Inspector

Dutifully transcribed as written (with only a couple of editorial comments added) by Dad, the Assistant to the Assistant Blog Master's Assistant

Here are some pictures we took (Len and Linda) when we were with Patricia and Peppy as they started their trek.

Len, Peppy, and Patricia at Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia

This is the beginning of the approach trail to the Appalachian Trail.  The AT begins at the top of Springer Mountain, about 8 miles from here in Amicalola Falls State Park.  Note the distance to Mt. Katahdin.

Linda, Patricia, and Peppy are standing near the bottom of Amicalola Falls.  The sign says "178 steps; Difficult/Strenuous."  The steps are considered "pre-trail" and do not count in an AT hike.  Patricia chose not to start Peppy with 178 strenuous steps, so we got back in the car to drive to Springer Mountain.

Patricia and Peppy at the top of Springer Mountain near the first of many white blazes that mark the AT.  Peppy is standing on the plaque that marks the beginning of the trail.  Perhaps Peppy will be able to report how many white blazes are between here and Mt.Katahdin in Maine. 

The view from the top of Springer Mountain.

Peppy, Patricia, and Linda leave the summit of Springer Mountain and head north on the AT.  The first white blaze and plaque are near the left edge of this photo.

We are back at the parking lot after descending Springer Mountain on the AT.  One mile done, approximately 2199 to go! Patricia and Peppy are ready to be on their way.  The trail is directly beyond them, leading into the forest.

They're off, heading north.  Patricia is giving our "thank you for being here" wave from Princess Diaries. 

Then she disappears into the woods!