Day 112 (Hogpen Gap to Gooch Gap)

I hung my hammock at this site on Wolf Laurel Top on December 30, 2013. It was the first overnight backpacking trip I had taken in over 30 years and the first ever solo backpacking trip. Thirty years ago we used to talk about thru hiking the Appalachian Trail. It was on our bucket list but school, careers, and family came first. That solo trip to Wolf Laurel Top rekindled the fire. However, I almost never started. I only had 95 days off from work. It was a crazy idea! I knew this and others reinforced that it was crazy. Hahaha. But now, here I sit…..only 35 miles from being a legitimate thru hiker. It has been an incredible adventure! — feeling fabulous.

Days 109, 110 and 111 (Winding Stair Gap to the Nantahala Outdoor Center)

This section was completed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 1-3, 2015.

Winding Stair Gap to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. First BPing for Laura and last shake-down hike for me. Excellent weekend fun!

At Wesser Bald.

Hanging at Wesser Bald – Awesome views — with Martha Johnson

Hello Jack! — at Appalachian Trail, NC.

At the Jumpoff — with Laura Pound.

Hanging at Wesser Bald

Yummy breakfast to celebrate the end to our fun weekend. — with Laura Pound and Martha Johnson at Rivers End Restaurant On The Nantahala River.

Days 107 and 108 (Winding Stair Gap to Dick’s Gap)

This section was completed Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, 2015.

Winding Stair Gap, NC to Dick’s Creek Gap, GA on the Appalachian Trail – Fun hike with some good practice backpacking in the rain.

With Martha Johnson.

Tarptent City near Plum Orchard Shelter

Standing Indian Mountain — with Martha Johnson.

Day 106 (Deep Gap to Dick’s Gap)

This section was completed Sunday, April 5rd, 2015.

Deep Gap, GA to Dick’s Gap – Fun time at the shelter last night. Short hike back to civilization this morning.

The end of a fun weekend… Hogpen Gap to Dick’s Gap, GA — with Lisa Belcher and Martha Johnson.

Fun “Girl Talk” time in Martha’s tent while trying to stay warm. 🙂 — with Lisa Belcher and Martha Johnson.

Special Edition: Friends

So glad to be celebrating the last couple of miles of my friend’s final journey on the Appalachian Trail. She has put in over 2,175 miles in a little over 100 days. Crazy and quite a feat!!! She rocks! Welcome home Susan Cashmere Hornbuckle! It has been an amazing fun time watching your trip!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

So as the excitement goes up for Susan Cashmere Hornbuckle s finale, I thought it would be fun to tell about the ‘Resuppies.’ Margaret Taylor and I sent 14 boxes to Susan in various ways… mostly Fed Ex to designated spots that Susan had pre-planned. As we mailed them, I just really hoped they would be there waiting for her when she arrived… afterall, it was her food supply 🙂

Some boxes were full of fun gifts and such… people brought me things to send… like Susan Kicak and Laura Spence… great gifts. It was fun to be on the pulse of things and I enjoyed the boxes and bags of food begin to dwindle as they had sort of overtaken Emily Cox’s room… but since she doesn’t actually live here anymore it was fine. We did have to keep the fur people out or that would have just been sad. It was super fun supporting… welcome home!!!

The List!!!

Never forgot the TP

Loading up

Boxes boxes boxes

Always held my breath til I knew they had arrived

We’re back after a lovely weekend in the Smokies. We went to help our friend Susan Cashmere Hornbuckle with her through hike of the Appalachian Trial which was great fun. We also took a trail ride, dropped some cash at the casino in Cherokee, NC and enjoyed some amazing views.

My friend Susan Cashmere Hornbuckle is about to complete her hike of the Appalachian Trial, all 2,160 miles of it. We went up to the mountains this weekend to help shuttle her, her sister and their friend to the starting point of their hikes and drive their cars to the end points. It was much fun to play a small role in Susan’s adventure.

I had the chance to run/hike on Friday with Susan Cashmere Hornbuckle as she is reaching the end of her thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. We went over Clingman’s Dome the highest point on the AT to Newfound Gap – almost 9 miles. Great chance to visit and learn more about her experiences.

Ready to join you for one day of your AT odyssey through the smokies. Sorry no donuts, but I baked toffee chocolate chip bars. They’re vegan! Can’t promise that the bacon is vegan though…

* * *

Critter count for yesterday: herd of elk and a couple flocks of turkeys on the way to Clingman’s Dome. Two bears, a red eft and a non-poisonous snake (not even worth counting) on the AT. And two marvelous sisters who graciously shared their trail adventures with me. 🙂

Cashmere: Along the Way