I've heard this about as many times as the 'you don't need to outrun the bear, you only need to be able out run your friend' joke out here. So I find meself in Davenport, TN, just walked out of the Smokies this afternoon and dropped 5000 ft of elevation - surroundings have changed a bit. At Standing Bear Farm hostel which is an old homestead where we can take advantage of sweet amenities like internet and camp next to a trampoline - the proprietor looks kinda like Chong. Shooting to sleep on the trampoline.
ANYWAY, we hitched back up to the Smokies with a nice young couple named Tray and Misty from Newport, TN and upon asking about moonshine they told me about Popcorn Sutton. Popcorn was a legendary moonshiner from Newport who last year was busted on tax evasion (which is apparently how they usually get the moonshiners). Instead of going to jail he built his own coffin then shot himself two months ago. Apparently he was interviewed on CMT by Billy Ray Cyrus not too long ago so youtube this guy. Still on the hunt for moonshine.
Hmm what else...had first 'you're a thru-hiker??' moment where a few tourists took our picture at Newfound Gap in the Smokies. People are both quite perplexed and quite fascinated by the concept. Otherwise feeling gooooood! The people are still awesome and the black flies have calmed down yay much. Just caught wind of the swine-flu epidemic? Anyone? Can I not eat bacon? I'm gonna eat bacon anyway. Will update again in the morning. Misses and kisses.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Gatlinburg Nights
Welp, thought I'd have more time here but looks like the shuttle's pulling out in a half hour or so and I'm trying to suck down as much water as possible before then.
In short, have already seen a family of four bears sitting 20 yds off the trail, 2 wild turkeys, a deer and some elk in the Smokies. Do they even have elk in the Smokies? These were seen from the back of a pickup truck on our way into Gatlinburg (though they took us to some other local sights first...the aforementioned redneck safari) and they sure looked like elk. The bears scared the b'jesus out of me. My eyesight is grim so I kinda just saw some dark shapes off to the left. Once they started moving my bear trigger went off and I immediately did a u-turn and started walking the other way - which is basically exactly what you're not supposed to do. Turns out I react poorly in crisis situations. Waited for two guys to come along for a critical mass in passing the bears (see Mom? I'm being careful). Like the pansy I am, I asked them if I could walk in the middle. To which they replied I'd just be the meat of the sandwich. To which I replied tou che. Otherwise the Smokies have been pretty gorgeous and pretty hot. We've been walking the TN/NC border for a few days and the next stop is in Hot Springs, NC. If you get the chance to go into town with a guy named 'Hatchet', say no. If a motorcycle slows down so you can hop on back and ride across the Fontana Dam, say yes.
In short, have already seen a family of four bears sitting 20 yds off the trail, 2 wild turkeys, a deer and some elk in the Smokies. Do they even have elk in the Smokies? These were seen from the back of a pickup truck on our way into Gatlinburg (though they took us to some other local sights first...the aforementioned redneck safari) and they sure looked like elk. The bears scared the b'jesus out of me. My eyesight is grim so I kinda just saw some dark shapes off to the left. Once they started moving my bear trigger went off and I immediately did a u-turn and started walking the other way - which is basically exactly what you're not supposed to do. Turns out I react poorly in crisis situations. Waited for two guys to come along for a critical mass in passing the bears (see Mom? I'm being careful). Like the pansy I am, I asked them if I could walk in the middle. To which they replied I'd just be the meat of the sandwich. To which I replied tou che. Otherwise the Smokies have been pretty gorgeous and pretty hot. We've been walking the TN/NC border for a few days and the next stop is in Hot Springs, NC. If you get the chance to go into town with a guy named 'Hatchet', say no. If a motorcycle slows down so you can hop on back and ride across the Fontana Dam, say yes.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
"Is that a deer up there? A yak?"
"Oh no it's just a hellspawned cloud of black flies shaped like a deer". Probably me favorite shelter log entry thus far.
So I'm knee-deep in the Great Smoky Mountains at the moment (read: knee deep in sweet sweet Gatlinburg). Since we last corresponded, dear blog, I spent a 'nearo' (near zero-mile day) at Fontana Dam hanging out on the Marina there where we managed to sweet talk our way into a lunch on a houseboat with some nice folks from Greenville, SC. I also switched out my pack to a friend's lightweight pack which brings me down to 20-25lbs of weight to cruise with - light as a 20-25 lb feather.
More to report on bears, truly hellspawned black flies, a sunset motorcycle ride across Fontana Dam with a nice fellow from Eastern Kentucky named Jim, and my first redneck safari later on. It's dinner and the Shoney's buffet beckons.
So I'm knee-deep in the Great Smoky Mountains at the moment (read: knee deep in sweet sweet Gatlinburg). Since we last corresponded, dear blog, I spent a 'nearo' (near zero-mile day) at Fontana Dam hanging out on the Marina there where we managed to sweet talk our way into a lunch on a houseboat with some nice folks from Greenville, SC. I also switched out my pack to a friend's lightweight pack which brings me down to 20-25lbs of weight to cruise with - light as a 20-25 lb feather.
More to report on bears, truly hellspawned black flies, a sunset motorcycle ride across Fontana Dam with a nice fellow from Eastern Kentucky named Jim, and my first redneck safari later on. It's dinner and the Shoney's buffet beckons.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
High Atmosphere
Most exciting blog ever to check up on, huh. So my internet access has been very much lacking since I started hiking a week and a half ago. Thanks again to Chad-O for inputting that last one. And if you guessed I'd get too lazy to keep up the K/C switch you were RIGHT.
Anywho the hike remains an amazing experience. Since Hiawassee I've crossed the NC border, done my first 25mi day, eaten my first ramp out of the ground (look'er up on wikipedia), worked up some serious blisters, jumped into Fontana Lake and acquired a trail name. Trail name is 'Blue Sky' - so given after I spotted the first patch after a night of rough weather and realized shortly thereafter that it's my favorite Allman Brothers song so decided to keep it. 'BS' for short.
From Hiawassee a few fellow hikers and I pushed on to Winding Stair Gap to hitch a ride into Franklin, NC to stay with one of the hiker's friends. The friend in question turns out to be Doug Woodward who not only was a pioneering whitewater kayaker in the '70s but also was the stunt double for Ned Beatty in Deliverance. Talk about street cred. He said that Burt Reynolds had a new fem on set everyday, that Jon Voight's wife was there pregnant with Angelina Jolie, and that they had a dummy lying flat in the canoe as Burt Reynolds they called 'no balls', for obvious reasons. I asked him if they drew a mustache on it but apparently not - the prop coordinator was way off base there. Anyway...interesting family. Their kids' names were Autumn, Rivers, Forrest and Canyon and they lived in a beautiful spot on a mountainside in Franklin. Went back to the trail from there and three sunrises and sunsets later I find myself at Fontana Dam in NC about to head into the Smokies. Staying the night at Fontana Lodge built by the CCC and looks it. It's wonderful. Smokies are going to be challenging but with any luck I'll find myself at Dollywood in Pigeon Ford, TN in a few days. Time will tell. Ms. Clare Fieseler will hopefully be meeting up in Cherokee Nat'l Forest near the end of TN so very much looking forward to her presence.
This past week I've been hiking with two guys from Georgia - Greenlight and Brian - and Hustler from Gunniston, CO. They've been teaching me the ways of 'going light'. It's been a trip so far. Probably missing a lot here but wanted to get an update on the books! Missing everyone! Hope the GPS updates have been going through. Laaters.
Anywho the hike remains an amazing experience. Since Hiawassee I've crossed the NC border, done my first 25mi day, eaten my first ramp out of the ground (look'er up on wikipedia), worked up some serious blisters, jumped into Fontana Lake and acquired a trail name. Trail name is 'Blue Sky' - so given after I spotted the first patch after a night of rough weather and realized shortly thereafter that it's my favorite Allman Brothers song so decided to keep it. 'BS' for short.
From Hiawassee a few fellow hikers and I pushed on to Winding Stair Gap to hitch a ride into Franklin, NC to stay with one of the hiker's friends. The friend in question turns out to be Doug Woodward who not only was a pioneering whitewater kayaker in the '70s but also was the stunt double for Ned Beatty in Deliverance. Talk about street cred. He said that Burt Reynolds had a new fem on set everyday, that Jon Voight's wife was there pregnant with Angelina Jolie, and that they had a dummy lying flat in the canoe as Burt Reynolds they called 'no balls', for obvious reasons. I asked him if they drew a mustache on it but apparently not - the prop coordinator was way off base there. Anyway...interesting family. Their kids' names were Autumn, Rivers, Forrest and Canyon and they lived in a beautiful spot on a mountainside in Franklin. Went back to the trail from there and three sunrises and sunsets later I find myself at Fontana Dam in NC about to head into the Smokies. Staying the night at Fontana Lodge built by the CCC and looks it. It's wonderful. Smokies are going to be challenging but with any luck I'll find myself at Dollywood in Pigeon Ford, TN in a few days. Time will tell. Ms. Clare Fieseler will hopefully be meeting up in Cherokee Nat'l Forest near the end of TN so very much looking forward to her presence.
This past week I've been hiking with two guys from Georgia - Greenlight and Brian - and Hustler from Gunniston, CO. They've been teaching me the ways of 'going light'. It's been a trip so far. Probably missing a lot here but wanted to get an update on the books! Missing everyone! Hope the GPS updates have been going through. Laaters.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Tray Mountain Rag
Welp, survived a week thus far. Currently in Hiawassee, GA at the Hiawassee Inn where a nice proprietor named Sam let me borrow his official Inn minivan to run to the grocery store. They sure make'em nice here in Georgia. First off, a few thanks:
- thanks to Grandpa for 'one swig at a time' water conservation methods learned on hike to middle lake Velma circa 1994
- thanks to Dad for my monster calves and for having me on the lookout for a left-handed smoke-shifter to travel with
- thanks to Sean Luna for telling me to bring a vest
- thanks to Paul Heintz for telling me to set up the sleeping situation before cooking dinner
- and of course; thanks to Mama Kath for the can-do attitude
Basically it's been a swell time so far. So many kind folks are going my way and from all over - Minnesota, Florida, Boston, Colorado, PA, Scotland, what have you. Climbed many a peak - Tray Mountain sticking out as the hardest climb with the sweetest sunset on top. We had a bear in camp on the 3rd night at Woods Hole Shelter. "Dick the bear" has a knack for stealing food from the far left bear cable and though thankfully, skipping out. I was terrified until the guy whose food was being taken hopped out of his tent and said "that sonovabitch" - when I realized we're just angry when they take our food, not scared. Thanks Brian. Otherwise dear Chad-O leaves me tomorrow for good old DC and I'm making a break for the North Carolina line. Still trail-name-less, still haven't tried moonshine, still walkin'...
(Written by Chad Fisk from Kims Journal at the Hiker Hostel, GA. They unfortunately did not have a computer at the Hiawassee Inn).
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Adventures with TSA
Bout to head towards the airport to katch the flight from Phoenix to Atlanta. The Chad will be meeting me in the Atlanta airport with or without our alcohol stove (TSA...not so backpacking-friendly, ship your stuff ahead of time if you possess the forethought/planning skills). We'll be staying at Hiker Hostel near the trailhead Sunday eve - they pick ya up, give you a bunk, breakfast (best be pancakes), fuel for your stove, hopefully matches or a lighter since we will be without (TSA, again) all for a lovely thru-hiker special. We start out tomorrow AM!
Our grand plan is to get to Rock Gap over the NC state line at mile 103 by next Monday 4/20 to get the Chad to his shuttle from the trailhead back to the Atlanta airport and give him hard-guy points. Unfortunately we'll have to average 15mi days or so to reach said point and we will soon find out whether this is humanly possible for us city-folk who have done no training except for some brief urban hiking stints up and down Conn Ave back in DC.
In other news, my kousin Tom got married yesterday to a lovely young lady who happens to have Kimberly Marie as her first and middle name (congrats again!). The Kimberley Marie McKee's now roll two-strong. Look out world. Speaking of names, send trail name suggestions - avoid boy-band references please.
Our grand plan is to get to Rock Gap over the NC state line at mile 103 by next Monday 4/20 to get the Chad to his shuttle from the trailhead back to the Atlanta airport and give him hard-guy points. Unfortunately we'll have to average 15mi days or so to reach said point and we will soon find out whether this is humanly possible for us city-folk who have done no training except for some brief urban hiking stints up and down Conn Ave back in DC.
In other news, my kousin Tom got married yesterday to a lovely young lady who happens to have Kimberly Marie as her first and middle name (congrats again!). The Kimberley Marie McKee's now roll two-strong. Look out world. Speaking of names, send trail name suggestions - avoid boy-band references please.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Update - No fleas
Re: fleas, see above. Re: accessing my kurrent koordinates on google maps - you can go to this link and email me for the password...or take your best stab at it.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Security Measures
Industrial strength pepper spray from Off. Savitzky, Newtown Square's finest...check
SPOT GPS Satellite Messenger...check
Whistle with "Don't die...be heard" on the packaging...check
Mean streak...check.
Special thanks to Kath and that which she equips me with in order to help her sleep at night. Will post shortly on how to find me as a dot on google maps.
In other news, it's always a good day to wake up to an email from your student host at a grad school visit informing you that he just found out his kat who shared your pull-out kouch has fleas, "so, you know...if you have fleas...sorry." "I have fleas" kould be an effective shelter konversation-starter. Fingers krossed...
T-5
SPOT GPS Satellite Messenger...check
Whistle with "Don't die...be heard" on the packaging...check
Mean streak...check.
Special thanks to Kath and that which she equips me with in order to help her sleep at night. Will post shortly on how to find me as a dot on google maps.
In other news, it's always a good day to wake up to an email from your student host at a grad school visit informing you that he just found out his kat who shared your pull-out kouch has fleas, "so, you know...if you have fleas...sorry." "I have fleas" kould be an effective shelter konversation-starter. Fingers krossed...
T-5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
