Journal Entries

Invisible Bear and Padawan, two teenaged girl thru-hikers.

Charlies Bunion

Sunrise at Icewater Spring Shelter.

Day 23 - Clingmans Dome to Icewater Spring Shelter

10.7 miles

I got my period today, which helps explain my earlier trail misery.

We got back on the trail at 1:45. Dan returned us to where Wendy picked us up yesterday, and with the rain I have to say it was a cold and uninspiring return. But once we started moving it was ok.

Breaking to eat is the worst because you get so cold.

In the early evening hours the sun broke through the clouds and the fog and it was amazing. My spirits soared and I was deeply grateful to be here, right now, experiencing this moment.

It was nearly dark when we got to the shelter and set up camp (the shelter was full, we mercifully had to set up tents in the woods). It got dark and cold fast. We ate speedy, met the James family who we've heard about through the trail grapevine (another thru-hiking family!), and were finally able to crash into bed at 9:30.

The sun comes out at the very end of the day and in the last hour or so of our hike before we reach the shelter.

Walking through the parking lot at Newfound Gap. It's so strange to move through an area, at a walking pace, that you recently went past, at a driving speed. We drove past this parking lot when we were shuttled off the mountain yesterday and back on the mountain today. It took us hours to walk here and mere minutes to drive.

@celine and @toesalad in the misty woods.

Back on the trail.

Day 22 - Silers Bald Shelter to Clingmans Dome

4.8 miles

Beautiful, blue sky day.

This morning we ate our first meal of the day on the trail so we could get out of camp by 7:30. We were still late by 20 minutes meeting @hikingmama at Clingmans Dome.

The morning was beautiful and the terrain was easy but I was still in a foul mood over the last two days of hiking. I was cranky about my calf pain (which has lessened today thankfully) and being forced to sleep in shelters and the lack of privacy that afforded me while I was feeling so low.

When Wendy met us my mood perked up considerably and I was so happy to get out of the mountains for a night.

This afternoon we did our resupply at Bryson City and ate lunch at a diner in town. I did laundry, email and did some work on our video series while the kids watched TV.

Tonight we ate a late spaghetti dinner with our new friends and I felt really relaxed enjoying great conversation and laughter. This is exactly what I needed.

On our way to Clingmans Dome.