Seems like only a short while but ...

Since my last writing, I have traveled a long ways, visited with friends and even taken a trip out of the country, but still, it seems like only a short time has passed.

Danny continues to do very well on the trail. From our start on top of Springer Mountain, our vistas have changed daily. And how different from what we were seeing farther up north. 
We have gone from naked trees to budding trees,   to a full complement of foliage: from wide open vistas 
to the renown green tunnel. We have followed the blooming of the spring flowers and the blossoming of the rhododendrons. And through it all the people ... even though I am dropping off and picking up, I too have become known on the AT and I, in turn, have made friends, even if superficially.

While in the northern part of Georgia we stayed with friends who welcomed us into their home, put up with the comings and goings, and accompanied us on our daily outings. Due to distance constraints we missed being able to visit with some very good friends in Blue Ridge. To them I say, "we will be back!"

 Danny and friends in N George heading out for the day's hiking

At many of the put-in and pick-up points, we came across Trail Angels. These are people who go out of their way to help the hikers on the AT. At this particular point, way up in the mountains, on roads that required 1st gear and 5mph speeds,

 are you sure that you are going the right way?????

 this man and his friend (ex-marines) had set up a grill and were serving all who came grilled hot dogs, sodas, snacks, fruit, dog food (I think), and cigarettes. As I was waiting across the road, he was heavily visited and he made a point of talking with each and every one of the hikers individually. Amazing...

 I sent Danny over rather than coming to the car after making plans for our next meet up point.

One of the stops was an outfitters/hostel, the first major one on the NOBO trail. Here the trail actually goes right through the building.  Man, are the birds abundant here?  - guess they are used to getting lots of things to eat...  but wait, not birds, but  yes, people change them out here after walking for _____ miles since the start. What to do with the old ones, well, this is one thing that can be done.

Another day on the trail...  

The AT does not follow the valleys much, but rather the ridges, going up and down the mountains. 

Unfortunately the end point is always a downhill hike and the beginning a long uphill hill. 

One day was scheduled for heavy rains so we took a day and visited the John C Campbell Folk School where we wandered in and out of classes that were in session while exploring the campus. Of course no visit is complete until one visits the gift shop where the class-produced items are sold. All manner of classes are offered in weekly sessions.

...blacksmithing had it's own building, designated by the heat radiating from the building and the hanging hammer over the door.

 where whimsical yet useful to some, items were produced 

 ... a cooking school where basics to gourmet classes were scheduled.

oven for baking a very heavy but tasty bread made by another of the many classes

Areas for parking were found after miles and miles of uphill forest service roads, on top of a mountain with which the AT intersected ... A good pick up and drop off place ...

 the roads are pretty good for early spring although the rains leave deep ruts from water run off and 4WDs that have to test their mettle in and after the rains.  

 ... because of the many days of heavy rainfall, there are often impromptu waterfalls above the deeply rutted roads...

Soon we are out reasonable range for driving back and forth and we once again start our life on the road. Although it is many days hiking from where we were, the drive is probably only 40-50 miles north. We find a wonderful rejuvenated motel in a small town without offered breakfast. It overlooks a lake with quietening views. And then there is a wonderful deli that serves a breakfast buffet that would rival any in a larger city.

Day by day we delve deeper north. This end of the AT is very mountainous although not the highest by far. Each day brings hiking of major up and downs with very few level walking spots. The trail silhouette can seem daunting when viewing but Danny says it isn't that bad. He has been averaging 10-16 miles per day. When driving that doesn't seem like a lot but hiking it will take all day. What an opportunity this is.

 This may be so, but in fact, Danny has walked a total of ~420 miles to date and I have driven, including the trip out to Pennsylvania, the  return trip back to Dallas, to all the auxiliary site seeing sites, and the return trip to Charlotte NC's airport, a total of 8200 miles. 

And so we continue, enjoying the many opportunities afforded us and the chance to be surrounded by the quiet, peaceful beauty of this great land. The Great Smokey Mountain NP is our next big hurtle, stayed tuned as it will be Danny's turn to write - I will be in Canada.

Plans are never set in concrete ...

... and ours have once again changed. Looking at the weather while traveling to and from Dallas, we saw that once again snow was forecasted for the Shenandoah/North Virginia area and Georgia was to be on the upswing of both sunshine and temperatures. So yes, you guessed it, we changed and headed to the southern terminus of the AT in Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia. We will become Northbounders (NOBOs) now until we hit the last pick-up point in Shenandoah National Park.

This is by far, more technical and harder than the trail that we have experienced so far (barring the snow of course). The mountains are higher, the trails less accessible, and very little straight, even trail. Still Danny is up to it.

We drove through the rain from Dallas to Canton, GA where, the next morning, the sun broke out. By the time we got to Amicalola Falls State Park, things were heating up, figuratively and virtually. The temps were warm, sunscreen a necessity and no room at the proverbial inn due to people everywhere. The first of the hike was not even on the AT, but rather the "approach" - 8.5 miles of all uphill or up-mountain if you will - to reach Springer Mountain summit, the start of the AT. This also included 604 steps in two sections up the falls.

50 degrees and sunshining ...

 how many miles to finish??????

 everyone goes through the gate behind the Visitor's centre.

The Trail Angel down at the parking lot at the lower end of Springer Mountain, on the AT, says that only 40% of all through hikers actually come up from Amicalola Falls State Park so he has some bragging rights there. I hiked "up" the .9 miles from the parking lot to the summit to meet him and then hike back down. A good day for a good second start.

the original plaque that is found on the side of the boulder where the white blaze for the start of the AT and the blue blaze for the approach come together:

This is found on a boulder of the actual summit

The Southern Terminus of the AT.

the view that I enjoyed while waiting for Danny:

and here he comes ...

and so ends the first day back on the trail, this time NorthBound (NoBo).

Virginia

It is said that the AT in Virginia has 1/4 of the miles of the whole AT but not the highest in elevation. Each state has its own unique traits and so far our unique trait has to have been SNOW.

first on March 18

 our car has a mustache

Then yes, we have been grounded once again because of the snow. This time for 3 days and possibly 4. The weather forecast on the morning of March 24 showed us that

 the snow was scheduled to fall, 5-8inches worth, starting in the afternoon, all along the Shenandoah Valley and National Park (NP) where we were scheduled to hike through. Well we, thought, Danny could at least go into the park and hike out before it hits. Right! We got to the entrance and we were informed that they were preemptively closing the park in a couple of hours because they expected ice in the higher elevations. So that ended that.

We decided to go further south and see what things would happen, visiting with a PC friend in Radford, VA. Only a 4 hour drive to get there ...

 Driving through the countryside on a backroad, we followed where the hiking is, along Skyline Dr in the Shenandoah NP, where there is still snow from the last snowfall and the temps remain in the 30's. The sky was grey but occasionally the sun would peak out. In no time at all, however, the snow, giant thick, heavy, wet flakes started to fall. We headed over to I-81 where the traffic would keep the roads passable, we hoped.

We arrived without incident and settled in to wait out the storm and visit with our friend:

The next morning we awoke to a world of white:

outside of Sean's home with fluffy, sparkling snow and blue skies. Soon however the clouds rolled back in and we were under storm conditions again. The next day, more of the same. But this time we ventured out on a small excursion to see a village highly recommended. 

Floyd, VA:  The General Store renowned for it's Bluegrass/Appalachian music Jamborees on Friday nights.

 the old school house that has been transformed into 3 floors of fabric and quilting supplies. Apparently people come from all over to this business establishment. But a lot of the tourist-type businesses were closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Danny was anxious to get back to his hiking and the snow was scheduled to diminish greatly by Wednesday afternoon so we headed out that morning. The drive was good, heavy clouds interspersed with blue skies and sunshine and an occasional snow flurry. We decided on a stay in Luray and contacted PC friends who happened to be in Luray at this same time. Arrangements were made to try and hue in the morning. We made a foray into the park later in the afternoon to take a look at the trails - I know that Danny was hoping to get in some miles as well but .... all fresh snow, all 6-8 inches of it and the trails not broken.

 none in the valley but more on the way...

A wonderful coffee house breakfast, great conversation and then we were off. 

 cold and dreary, heavy skies, no sunshine

 We can try this trail here, not too far

 Mel, Ann, Danny ready to try it

 Shirley really needs to dress better, don't you think?

and they are off ...

they came out here  unbroken trail, too heavy a toll on the energy, maybe another day! Of course, the sun came out later in the day and so did the hikers.

We had a wonderful day however, and look forward to tomorrow when Danny plans on hiking 10 miles, unless he has to break the trail. It is Easter Weekend and the hikers will be out in force, as will the sun and the temperatures are scheduled to rise.

March 29 - Yup, the hikers are out in force. The sun is shining and the temps are on the rise, and Danny is out on the trail again. We have no cell service up here on Skyline Dr, in Shenandoah National Park so am unable to watch his progress on Spot. We arrange it so that we meet every few miles so that I know he is ok. It is very taxing going through 6" or more of fresh snow. Some trail segments have had only a couple of people on them, others none, so he is pretty much in fresh snow.

 hopefully this will blow over

he is determined 

 this was my view point at one of our checkin points.

 It is pretty awesome to look at, even if not so for hiking

 friends (as well as an abundance of squirrels) shared the road

 he is in his glory!

But then life reared it's head and we headed back to Dallas for a very quick trip. Plans are never set min concrete and ours are about to change again.