A Day in Damascus

Yesterday Peppy and I are enjoyed a lovely zero day in Damascus, VA.  We are at mile 467 on the trail and have crossed the first three states off the list.  We will spend the next 500 miles in VA.

Today we are setting off into the Mt Rogers area.  In the next few days we will cross the Grayson Highlands where there are wild ponies!  After days of rain, it seems like we may finally have a dry spell.

Pictures will have to wait for a better internet connection...

Back On Track

It turns out that I did not escape the norovirus after all.  It struck me a mere 48 hours after my last blog post.  Thankfully, I was at a Bed and Breakfast and not on the trail.  After a zero day to recoverand a slow day on the trail on Monday, I am feeling much better.

On Tuesday Peppy and I left North Carolina for good and today we will hit 400 miles!!!  We should be in Virginia by the weekend!

Little Bird and the Inspector

Accurately transcribed (I hope) by the former Assistant to the Assistant Blog Master's Assistant, Len Troy, aka Bald Bird.

Wild Weather

Today I reached Erwin, TN at mile 341.5.  Peppy and I have had quite the weather mood swings the past few days after getting back on from Meredith's graduation.  The first night back, the temperature dipped below freezing, yet yesterday the temperature was above 90!  Although many people are heading to trail days from here, Peppy and I plan to keep on hiking.

I am keeping my fingers crossed, because so far Peppy and I have managed to avoid the dreaded norovirus which has struck down other hikers.  Once we reach Virginia we should be safe.

I had a wonderful time seeing my family over the weekend for Meredith's graduation.  I am so thankful that I have such wonderful family members who are so supportive of my hike.  Many thanks to my grandparents Troy who drove me back to the trail!

Look for picture updates when I take a nero day soon, as Peppy and I are just briefly re-supplying today before  hiking on!

A Blustery Day in May

Yesterday I finished hiking through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Caption: This is my “I’m done with the Smokies dance.”

Last Saturday I got off the trail and went home to Cincinnati with my parents because I wasn’t feeling well.  After going to the doctor, getting some meds, and sleeping all day for a few days I was feeling better.

Once again my parents were amazingly supportive and this time it was my Mom who drove me down and watched Peppy while I spent two more nights in the Smokies.

Caption: Third time is the charm.  I stood here three times for this picture, the first two times I turned around because I wasn’t feeling well.  Third time I didn’t come back.

There were lots of pretty wildflowers blooming in the park.

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Although the weather has been cool and very windy, I stayed dry.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t look to be the case for the coming week.  Cool, rainy weather is in the forecast.

Mom and I spent the day shuffling cars around so I am able to drive back to Cincy this coming weekend for my sister Meredith’s graduation.  Now Peppy and I are off to Hot Springs!

Caption: Glad to be back on the trail!