We met many hikers in the 2 miles up and back and many Boy Scouts. There were two troops (Troop 75 and Troop 1173) that were hiking the 8.8 miles between the AT Visitors Center and the top of Springer Mountain (known as the Approach Trail). Oh, the energy they had running up that mountain!
We made it back to the trail head and in a gently falling rainy mist, Ken began his A.T. adventure. As he walked off into the mist, I wiped my tears and prayed he would make it all the way to Maine.
Now, those that know me know that I am a planner. The opposite of Ken. We balance each other nicely. I couldn't just drop him off with a "See Ya". I wanted to make sure he got started off right and so I had made arrangements to stay in a cabin just off trail 3 days hike ahead. I drove off to spend (what I thought would be) 3 days of reading, crocheting and blog creation. After 3 days, Ken should have a good idea of what he needed and didn't have or had but didn't need. I would provide support for both.
Ken, meanwhile, met a fellow hiker named Jill (I WOX...like I walks the trail) at the first shelter (Stoney Creek). Jill greeted him with a cup of coffee. They hit it off right away. They walked together to the next shelter (Hawk Shelter) and there met another hiker, Dennis (SouthPaw). They realized they had much in common and many differences. Jill is from
Ken's text from the first night: "Ouch, ouch and ouch"
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