Tue, Apr 19, 2016 Breakfast for me the next morning was Carnation drink, an apple and tea.  For Theo it was a tuna pack and a Knorr Fettuccini Pasta Side compliments of Highway who was sleeping in. I never read or entered anything in the Journals that were at most shelters.  Some were consistent readers […]

Mon, Apr 18, 2016 Needless to say, when morning came, I was without food. Farther north I had begun to hang Theo’s entire saddle bag with my bear bag, stuffing any excess food items of mine in his pouches.  Thank God I had not done that at Watauga Lake or I’d have been out a […]

Sun, Apr 17, 2016 B-Hiker put on her stuffed-to-the-gills pack and hiked into her future.  Not too long after, I hoisted my lesser load to older shoulders, summoned Theo to nuzzle into his saddlebags and we were underway by 9:00 a.m.  We crossed the bridge, looked back at the resort and began our hike on […]

Sat, Apr 16, 2016 Today would be a zero day.  Laundry at the machines under the main house; resupply at the store; breakfast and supper in the common area.  Theo roamed around and then made himself at home. Ten-Degree and his boys were at BBR and spent a good bit of time in the common […]

Fri, Apr 15, 2016 It’s that day.  Because it’s a Saturday this year (as I write), we have until the 18th to make our first offer to Uncle Sam as a lawyer once described his “negotiations” with the IRS.  This day a year ago passed without notice because my preparations included getting my tax information […]

Thu, Apr 14, 2016 It is Friday, April 14, 2017 as I write.  Good Friday.  It was on March 25th last year on the trail, 20 days earlier.  I was in Gatlinburg at the Motel 6.  It was the day of the worm.  The day of return to the trail at Newfound Gap.  This year […]

Wed, Apr 13, 2016 Everyone rose about the same time at Roan High Knob Shelter.  We were one general mass of thru-hikers.  Our tensile strength was fragile but we’d hung in together through the night and would for breakfast.  But even here, it was each to his own.  We took care of our individual needs […]

Tue, Apr 12, 2016 Dear God, another day on the trail – in words.  How I do miss the simplicity of boots through the leaves finding north through the woods. Was it the night before (a year ago) that I dried out my tent on the table outside the shed at Greasy Creek Hostel?  Was […]

Mon, Apr 11, 2016 After Theo’s good night sleep, we would have a fairly short day of ups and downs, nothing too challenging.  It was again dry, sunny.  I came upon a teacher from a nearby university out hiking with a friend.  We spent a little time chatting together.  Our conversation somehow brought a touch […]

Sun, Apr 10, 2016 Breakfast and on our way by 7:30 a.m.  It would be a long day with a 2000′ climb back to snow, ice and ice pellets. It was along this stretch that I called my wife, Bonnie, and we had a nice long chat as I hiked.  I believe this was my […]