TRAIL DAY 1
Sun, Feb 21, 2016 Got up. Had breakfast with a full house now, paid and packed up for departure. Was I going to Springer or to Amicalola Falls for the 8.8-mile (per AWOL) approach trail? Josh was getting the shuttle rides in order and would go to Springer first and then on to the falls, my choice. I didn’t want any regrets when I finished and didn’t want to leave anything out. I wanted it all and I knew, constitutionally, I simply could not cut corners. The trail and I were brothers and I was going all the way with him.
The Springer Mountain starters were driven as far up to the summit as the winding dirt road would allow. It was a misty, rainy day. The van was full and the chatter somewhat muted – excitement mixed with a somber realization of the ordeal about to begin.
The hikers were left off at a turn-around spot for the van. They had to hike a few miles to get to the summit, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Once they connected with that spot on the map and took pictures, they would find the Appalachian Trail and move on out.
For Theo and me, the van turned around for the twists and turns to the bottom and thence to the falls, maybe a half-hour ride away. We past bleak looking scenery viewed through a mud-splattered window but nothing could dampen our spirits. We were heading for the adventure of a lifetime.
I could have stayed at a lodge at the Falls but decided Hiker Hostel was more to my liking and more in keeping with the adventure. I had bought an Appalachian Trail Passport at the Hostel and thought to buy a pinpoint jet lighter but it was too heavy.
Let’s dispense with the Passport thing now. I took it out of my right back pocket and its thick plastic carrying case maybe 10 times at hostels that noted they stamped AT passports and then gave it up – it wasn’t worth it – sent it home.
Josh pulled into the parking area by the lodge. I think, one of the fellows who had picked me up in Gainesville was along as well.
I got my and Theo’s gear out of the back, bid farewell and walked over to the lodge to use the bathroom. I went in with my backpack and took a picture of myself in the mirror. Theo was outside where I had used my homemade cable leash to secure him at a tree.
Before departing, I left my pack and trekking poles by the bathroom in sight of Theo and went inside the lodge to check things out. Finding nothing of interest, I returned to my gear and got ready to hike.
The beginning of the trail was behind the building. I went to the stone archway beginning the approach and decided to turn around and go to the back entrance of the lodge hoping to find someone to take a picture of Theo and me. I did.
We passed under the arch and headed to the falls. On arrival at the base of the 604 steps to the top, I was instantly glad to have packed Theo’s booties. The steps were metal and grated! As suspected, trying to get booties on dog’s paws is like trying to nail Jello to the wall. Paws weren’t made for boots and my dear furry friend had no idea how to assist me in getting claws and pads where they had to be for the boots to stay on. There’s got to be a better design and I may just work on that someday.
I did succeed and Theo looked great!
Now, there was no rushing up those 604 steps and happily there were platform landings with a bench or two and pausing allowed for picture taking. I took pictures for others on their cameras and they took pictures of Theo and me. And, of course, the falls were spectacular, their grandeur unmitigated by the grey and leafless day.