Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Current Location: Mountain Magnolia Inn, Hot Springs, NC
Trip/Journal Details: Newfound Gap to Hot Springs, NC
Miles to Date: 274.4

So in my haste, I completely forgot to give you my Trail name in my last post.  I can’t believe I forgot such momentous news!  So without further ado and delay, I present you with my Appalachian Trail name – SUNSHINE.  Simply, Sunshine 🙂  …Why Sunshine?  A fellow hiker named me such because she said I was like a ray of sunshine.  And it seemed the name to keep as I ran across many hikers who kept saying I always look so fresh-faced, smiley and happy to chat (though I can’t help but think they’re pulling my leg because under no circumstances do I smell good, nor have I slept well on the Trail).  I look like a zombie.  But at any rate, I’ve had a few people back home call me Sunshine as well, including a certain Mr. Hall – an avid AT hiker and inspiration, and someone who helped me immensely in planning this trip.  …And so I felt it was meant to be – Sunshine.  The full hippie version being Sunshine Gazelle, as another hiker insists my name be Gazelle.  He thinks I hike like one.

Now, because I am visiting with Neal on this extended stay over (two days off) in Hot Springs, North Carolina, I wrote this blog on the Trail knowing I would feel like zero blogging with him around.  Here’s what I got over the last few days on the AT:

As I am writing this (a few days ago, on May 8th), I am snug away in my tent, camped out on the summit of Max Patch mountain.  Max Patch is a bald, meaning it’s a mountain with a large, grassy field as its summit rather than being forested or rocky.  It was cleared many years ago for cattle and is maintained as a bald to this day.  It is by far the highlight of my trip thus far.  I have been waiting for this summit since before I stepped foot on the Trail, it’s that wondrous.  From the top, you are treated to panoramic views while standing on soft, tufted grass, with the most glorious sunsets and sunrises.  As I was struggling to finish out nearly 16 miles today – made even more challenging by the fact that I knocked out 20 miles yesterday (my feet are killing me!) – I was rewarded beyond words when I approached the base of the summit and was greeted with the most beautiful rainbow.  It absolutely took me away, as if this was meant to be; that I was meant to push on today for my beloved Max Patch.  I intended to camp here, you see, and by the time I summited, I was able to set up tent, eat and still catch the sunset.  I am so happy and at peace.  Determination, paid off!  And, the weather is perfect for sleeping under the stars.  You can see the city lights of towns far below twinkling away.  Most of the crowd I’ve been hiking with this week decided to press on and camp in the woods on the other side of the summit for fear of a few rain clouds (that subsided and blew over).  I took my chances with it being just a 20% chance of rain and am so glad I stuck it out.  This is Max Patch night and there ain’t no messin’ it up!  Can’t wait to wake up and watch the sun rise over the peaks as I drink a hot cup of coffee.

So yeah, about those 20 miles.  I hiked 20 miles yesterday.  As in, up and down many mountains, 20 miles.  I’m pretty amazed I had it in me.  The more I’m out here, the easier it gets.  It’s still super tough, but I notice I am able to take on and accept more challenge with less physical anguish and fewer mental roadblocks.  My legs are rock solid. My back is finally getting somewhat used to lugging a 30-pound load, and my mind seems to be finding its own zen of sorts, for the most part.  Now if my poor little feeties could catch up, that would be great.  My dogs are KILLING me!  No blisters – just sore from all the pounding.  I swear my bones are going to wear through the skin.  You should see all us hikers.  We look like a colony of cripples.  Young or old, it doesn’t matter – once you stop moving for the day and you get up for water or the privy or what have you, you’re stiff as a board and hobbling.  Lots of grunting and nods to be had.  Lots of pill-popping.  Namely, Ibuprophen.  My tiny orange friend.

Fast forward… it is now the next morning, May 9th.  Going back to that sunrise on Max Patch.  WOW!!!  Absolutely did NOT disappoint!  You guys – it was the most INCREDIBLE sunrise ever to behold.  Without a doubt, phenomenal.  The pictures don’t give it one iota of justice.  I woke up at 5:30am, opened the tent (which I had strategically set up facing east the night before), and huddled in my sleeping bag, ready for the show.  Just me, a cup of coffee warming on the burner, and the world atop a hill.  How special it is to watch the day wake up.  I will remember this morning for the rest of my life.  Max Patch is forever a special place.  Add it to your bucket list, people.

Moving on and in other news, I’d like to inform you of my new celebrity status.  As dirty and stinky as we hikers are, would you believe we are popular tourist attractions?  So far, at every major tourist hot spot we’ve visited (Clingman’s Dome and Newfound Gap, for sure) people come up to us in droves, fresh off the church bus, giddily asking if we are hikers and if they can talk to us, know our stories and the details of our plight.  They all gather round.  It’s fabulous.  Often times there’s one person in the group who had no idea such a thing existed, and gasps, “You mean you’re doing the WHOLE THING?!,” all wide-eyed and mouth open.  I’ve had several people ask if they can take their photo with me, which I’m happy to oblige of course, but it cracks me up.  I’m going to make a sign that says “Please FEED the Hikers.  Will talk for food.  Oooga-Booga.”  Like the hungry animal I am these days.  Honestly though, I think it’s pretty cool that people are interested in what we’re doing out here in the woods, as simple as it is, and I’m happy to share in hopes it will spark something for someone else.

And now, here I am wrapping up this blog in real time, here in Hot Springs, NC.  Neal left for Memphis a few hours ago.  That was super duper sad and difficult, but we had such a great time together.  We stayed at the Mountain Magnolia Inn – the same place we stayed at after Neal proposed to me out here last year.  I highly recommend it.  The gorgeous three-story Victorian home has beautiful accommodations, wonderful breakfast and sits atop a landscaper’s dream – fresh, flowering gardens, vast green lawn, old trees, and patios galore.  Matter of fact, here’s my morning view, when I started my blog:

Neal and I walked about town, visited Asheville one day (just a short half-hour drive away), and generally had the best time.  We even made the laundromat fun.  We picked up some pork sandwiches and a cookie and had a romantic lunch as my clothes cycled through the wash.  Speaking of food, we also ate this the night before – the AT Burger.  A total beef fest.

And I would be remiss if I did not mention our death-defying dip in the mineral springs at the Hot Springs Resort and Spa.  Death-defying because we got there just as a MASSIVE thunderstorm, complete with marble-sized hail, came howling through.  The owners weakly assured us we would not be electrocuted.  For reference – the hot tubs are outside, under tin roofs, sitting along the French Broad River, nestled amongst tall trees.  Yeah.  No wonder they gave us a $10 “like-us-on-Facebook” discount.  MmmmHmm.  It was one helluva hot tub show!  Lots of lightening and howling winds.  And the hail.  We had to yell across the hot tub just to hear.  It was a total monsoon.  But if you know us, we had a blast anyway!  I’ll still like them on Facebook.

I do not yet know where my travels will take me next.  Along the AT, of course, but I’m not sure where I will be.  As of now, I am planning to slack-pack tomorrow out and back in to Hot Springs.  Slack-packing is hiking without a backpack – just food and water for the day.  You can do a LOT more miles that way.  I thought this would be a fair plan since I ended up taking one more day off to spend a little extra time with Neal and run my errands, and I’d like to catch up on my hiking.  Afterwards, I plan to jump in a van with some other hikers to make it to Trail Days in Damascus, VA this Thursday afternoon.  Trail Days is a weekend of hiker festivities, vendor booths, music and parades.  It’s the Lollapalooza of the hiker world.  Should be interesting, I’m sure.

I leave you with a few new photos in my media library.  Glorious mountain shots, a funkdafied toe, plane wreckage, and some rare wild flowers – please check them out.  Until the next stop – get out there and do something amazing!  Even if just for a day or only an hour.  Make an adventure and celebrate what’s out there.