With Love,
Max and Sara
Showing posts with label The Smokies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Smokies. Show all posts
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Pecks Corner to Cosby Knob Shelter
13 miles of the Smokies today! Our last night in the Smoky Mountains. So far they have been my favorite part of the trail. It's a little upsetting to leave. Especially now that spring is in full swing and all the greens are beginning to fill and flowers starting to bloom! Tomorrow we are going to stay at a hostel for Sara's birthday so I'm looking forward to a nice shower, warm food, and if we can find it ice cream or cake!
With Love,
Max and Sara
With Love,
Max and Sara
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Gatlinburg to Peck Corner Shelter
April 22nd and 23rd
Yesterday we went into the Tourist town of Gatlinburg, TN. We had a 5 mile day and got a ride from a NOC shuttle. Gatlinburg is pretty much one road that's filled with shops, restaurant, and resorts. It was a huge culture shock walking on the strip. Sara and I treated ourselves to some custard and a buffet. We were pretty happy to get back on the trail the next day. Gatlinburg isn't our kind of place. We didn't take any pictures because its the kind of place you have to see for yourself or never see at all. We got back on the trail today. Everyday on the trail gets better and better! Especially in the Smoky Mountains. Today we traveled all across the mountaintops and saw some amazing views! We climbed on Charles Bunion, a rocky outcrop where you can see for miles across the Smokys. It truly is the life up here. The challenge of day to day, hiking up and down mountains, the constant strain on our bodies it's all worth it when you get to the top and see the view or stumble upon a spring coming out of rock, or you look around and all you see is made naturally, hasn't been placed there, or manipulated. It's all spontaneous growth thriving in a place untouched and un-maimed by man. Being here truly allows you to see the difference between theses two worlds. The Smokies definitely are inspiring and I have never been more happy to be on the trail!
With Love,
Max and Sara
Yesterday we went into the Tourist town of Gatlinburg, TN. We had a 5 mile day and got a ride from a NOC shuttle. Gatlinburg is pretty much one road that's filled with shops, restaurant, and resorts. It was a huge culture shock walking on the strip. Sara and I treated ourselves to some custard and a buffet. We were pretty happy to get back on the trail the next day. Gatlinburg isn't our kind of place. We didn't take any pictures because its the kind of place you have to see for yourself or never see at all. We got back on the trail today. Everyday on the trail gets better and better! Especially in the Smoky Mountains. Today we traveled all across the mountaintops and saw some amazing views! We climbed on Charles Bunion, a rocky outcrop where you can see for miles across the Smokys. It truly is the life up here. The challenge of day to day, hiking up and down mountains, the constant strain on our bodies it's all worth it when you get to the top and see the view or stumble upon a spring coming out of rock, or you look around and all you see is made naturally, hasn't been placed there, or manipulated. It's all spontaneous growth thriving in a place untouched and un-maimed by man. Being here truly allows you to see the difference between theses two worlds. The Smokies definitely are inspiring and I have never been more happy to be on the trail!
With Love,
Max and Sara
Monday, April 22, 2013
Mollies Ridge to Derrick Knob to Mt Collins Shelter
April 20th and the 21st
The past two days have been Max's and my favorite of the hike. While the terrain has been challenging the hiking has been extremely rewarding. The Smokies are beautiful, more lush and varied than the hiking before this. There are meadows and views from most every mountain top. Spence Field was one such meadow, with waving yellow grass. As Max and I traverse the beautiful landscape we happened upon a horse and three mules grazing. Max eagerly jumped at the opportunity to pet them as we made small talk with the two cowboy-like owners. And while Spence Field was amazing, personally my favorite part of the Smokies so far are the old growth forests. While the bright open fields and mountain tops are beautiful in their own way, there is something about the deep, dark beauty of the pine forests. The rich greens and reddish-brown earth tones create a majestic, almost magical, feeling. They truly are something to behold.
On a different note, today we reached the highest point on the AT, Clingman's Dome. We also reached our 200 mile mark! Today was a really great day, but we are excited for showers and resupply at Gatlinburg tomorrow. Hopefully the beautiful weather will continue on!
Much Love,
Sara
The Fontana Hilton to Mollies Ridge Shelter
April 19th (because we aren't able to post everyday, we'll put the date at the beginning each post from now on)
Yesterday we decided to stay at the Fontana Hilton Shelter and take a zero day. It was nice, we went down to the Dam and had ice cream. But today, today was wet. We got an early start and spent our entire 11 mile hike soaked. The only thing that kept me going were the dry change of clothes in my pack. My waterproof shoes proved to be less than waterproof, and wringing the dirty water out of my socks at the shelter was not so fun. At least this shelter has a fireplace to dry them by! Today was our first day in the Great Smoky National Park, and the trail is beautifully maintained, and I can't wait to see what it's like not encompassed in a fog. Tomorrow looks sunny so we'll dry ourselves out and have a better day.
It's getting dark outside so that means bedtime.
Goodnight,
Sara
Yesterday we decided to stay at the Fontana Hilton Shelter and take a zero day. It was nice, we went down to the Dam and had ice cream. But today, today was wet. We got an early start and spent our entire 11 mile hike soaked. The only thing that kept me going were the dry change of clothes in my pack. My waterproof shoes proved to be less than waterproof, and wringing the dirty water out of my socks at the shelter was not so fun. At least this shelter has a fireplace to dry them by! Today was our first day in the Great Smoky National Park, and the trail is beautifully maintained, and I can't wait to see what it's like not encompassed in a fog. Tomorrow looks sunny so we'll dry ourselves out and have a better day.
It's getting dark outside so that means bedtime.
Goodnight,
Sara
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)