Blood Mountain

So it's day four on the trail! We've made it to Neels Gap and Mountain Crossings and feeling pretty good.  The free hot coffee and fresh off the grill burgers help a lot.  Already we are finding ourselves blessed with some "trail magic."  Laura's had some blister issues, but the staff here at Mountain Crossings have been really helpful.  She's got some new boots and is feeling ready to go. We've hiked about 40 miles so far and will probably knock out a few more before the day is done.  Last night we stayed on top of blood mountain and experienced an unbelievable storm.  Wow!!  We've met some great folks along the way. It's still slowly sinking in that we are actually out here. All in all, we a little smelly, a little sore, and life is good . . .

Amicalola Falls

Anticipation Building

So we've made it to North Georgia!  We had a smooth drive with Becky(Laura's Mom) and have spent the last two days enjoying Jim and Elaine's cabin outside of Ellijay . . . such amazing hosts!!  They drove us over to Amicalola Falls State Park where our hike will begin and up to Neels Gap and Mountain Crossings, a hostel/gear shop that we will reach after hiking about 40 miles.  We got to speak with some other thru-hikers who had already begun their journey which was really cool. The aniticipation and excitement that is building is like nothing we have ever experienced before.  As we stood at the trailhead, seeing the sign that reads "Mt. Katahdin, Maine 2,175 miles," I looked over to Laura and lovingly said, "I think I'm gonna puke."  It's still hard for us to actually comprehend that tomorrow, March 23, the adventure will begin.  It seems like we will have decent weather our first week out, even though today the snow has been steadily falling.  What a beatiful place! How lucky are we to get to experience it more!  This will be our last post before we start hiking. Thanks to everybody for your support, encouragement, prayers, and love. Looking forward to sharing the adventure with you all.

Laura's New "Do"

In preparation for the trail i decided my long hair would have to go. I had been anticipating the day of shaving my head and found myself getting more and more excited about the future lack of hair on my head. although i must admit i was a bit nervous. Who knew what my head would like underneath all that hair! I had thought for awhile that a change like this would be invigorating and freeing....and what better time to do it than rigth before we would venture on a 6 month journey. Thanks to Billy for the amazing hairstlyes he gave me in the last few months. Thanks to the women who went to support me...i love all three of you!

Maildrop Locations/Dates

For those of you who wish to send us some goodies along the way, here's a list of our mail drop locations and tentative dates.  Please be sure to mark the package/letter with "HOLD FOR A.T. THRU-HIKER", and, since the dates are definately subject to change, send mail at least 2 weeks prior to listed date.  Thanks everybody! Much love . . .

(April 9)
General Delivery
Fontana Dam, NC 28733

(April 16)
Standing Bear Farm
4255 Green Corner Rd.
Hartford, TN 37753

(May 1)
Kincora Hiker's Hostel
1278 Dennis Cove Rd.
Hampton, TN 37658

(May 21)
General Delivery
Pearisburg, VA 24134

(June 17)
Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel
304 Chester gap Rd.
Chester Gap, VA 22623

(July 9)
General Delivery
Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327

(Aug 11)
General Delivery
Hanover, NH 03755