March 10 - Tray Mt. to Dicks Creek Gap/Blueberry Patch Hostel - My Life Is In Your Hands

I trust you, Lord; my life is in Your hands.
When I'm at my weakest, You carry me
Then I become my strongest, Lord, in Your hands

It was a beautiful morning when I left Tray Mountain, windy, but sunny and cool. I was last out from the group I mentioned yesterday. Taking my tent down in heavy wind was a first for me. It wanted to blow away. I walked by myself all day.

A little dark-eye junco hopped along side me on the trail for a short distance before he flew up into the tree. Of course, I was passed by a number of people some going North and some hiking South. I saw this heart shaped rock placed in a tree.

                                                                                  

My first day on the trail to walk entirely alone; it was good. The young guys from Tray Mt. shelter passed me and I also met a few young people hiking in the opposite direction.

I had planned to stop for the night at Deep Gap Shelter but rain was in the forecast for the next day and I decided to hike on. The climb up Kelly Knob was brutal.

The first man who passed me about a third of the way up, asked if I was OK and when I said, yes, he replied are you sure? He didn't have a trail name; he was Sean from New Hampshire. The young guys from the shelter the night before passed me and told me I was about 1/2 way up Kelly Knob- that was good to hear.

View from Kelly Knob

About 30 min. past Deep Gap Shelter I met a couple from Blairsville, GA who were out for a day hike to the shelter. We talked for a short time. They asked me if I was OK - I was moving slowly and I'm sure my face was really red. I said, yes. I was headed to Dick's Creek Gap and asked them which way I should head on the highway because I was going to spend the night at Blueberry Patch Hostel. They told me to turn left. Then the wife said if I wanted to wait at the gap, they would give me a ride to the hostel when they finished their hike. One of my fears is hitch hiking and here was a wonderful offer and I wouldn't have to hitch hike. They said if I wasn't there waiting for them, they would know I had gotten another ride.  I thanked them for their kind offer and said I'd most probably be waiting for them and to enjoy their hike.

As I continued down the trail. A man passed me who looked like a trail runner with trekking poles. We exchanged a greeting and he asked if I was a thru-hiker. I was so tired, I replied presently I am but at this point I'm not sure how much longer. He offered words of encouragement and said this was a tough section of the trail and I would make it. Another man passed me and said I had about 1 more mile to go before I reached the highway... oh, buddy, I knew I had to make it but I was moving even slower.
 

Tofu Man

After about 30 min. the runner man came back and asked if he could carry my pack and give me a ride wherever I needed to go. I declined the offer to carry my pack because I told him I couldn't make it to Maine without carrying it. I accepted his offer of the ride and then realized I knew nothing about him. I asked his name and he said Vernon Dixon and we talked a little as we walked to his car. He has hiked parts of the Appalachian Trial and his trail name is Tofu Man because that's what he eats when he's on the trail. I was saved from hitchhiking. He's vegetarian on the trail. So you know, he's a slim and trim man. 

He took me to Blueberry Patch Hostel

Entrance

Kitchen area

Deck off bunk room

Back yard

Bathroom and shower

Bath house up close - great hot shower.

and Garry welcomed me and showed me around and to my bunk. When I made the call from Powell Mountain in the afternoon to ask Gary if there was room for me at the hostel, he said I could have the couch. I said that would be fine or I could sleep on the floor because I had a good sleeping pad. After my arrival, he told me that soon after I had called, a man who had the bottom bunk called and said he would not be able to make it for the night so I had the bottom bunk.  WHEW !  I thought I might be able to make it to the second bunk but the third one up next to the ceiling would probably have been impossible for my short legs.

What a wonderful experience. Met so many wonderful young people staying the night. Donny from New York,

Andrew from Griffin, GA - just down the road from me. I'm drawing a blank on the others - one young man is hiking the trail and is headed to Med School afterwards. He's from Florida. We were served a wonderful breakfast and Gary's wife Lennie, is just as sweet as Gary. We were welcomed to their dinner table and served scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, cheese biscuits, and pancakes. Orange juice and coffee were also served. Before we ate, we joined hands and Gary offered a beautiful prayer. 

Woodman on the left and the young man who slept in the bunk above me.

Gary and Lennie Poteat - Blueberry Patch Hostel

 

Upon my arrival I asked Gary if sometime during my stay he would pray with me. Immediately he began to speak words of wisdom to me and the next morning we prayed together. I'm glad the Holy Spirit prompted me to stay at the Blueberry Patch Hostel; I'm glad I listened. Blueberry Patch Hostel was holy ground for me.

March 11, 2013 was a zero day (no hiking). I spent the day in Hiawasee. Because the Blueberry Patch Hostel  gives priority to hikers coming off the trail, I moved to a motel. I met Journey who was staying there and had lunch with her and Dixie Grits at the Hardees.  It poured down rain later in the afternoon and we ordered pizza and Greek salad to be delivered for dinner. It was a restful day. We saw a semi-truck driver pull over and out of his cab came a thru-hiker who looked a little lost.  

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(In a way Vernon was like Simon. Vernon offered to carry my backpack.)  Thank you, Vernon.


Fifth Station - Simon Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross 

Lord, clearly you cannot bear this burden by yourself. Without help you will die on the way. But your disciples have scattered, your friends have withdrawn. Amidst this hostile crowd, you are truly alone. A passerby must be forced to lend a hand. A stranger must be constrained to provide relief.

It is not hard for me to identify with Simon. I fill my calendar with places to visit and things to do. I organize and detail my agenda. Yet, as the years multiply, unplanned-for demands and troubling annoyances enter my life ever more frequently. They defy my feeble efforts to argue and bargain. They destroy any remaining allusions of control.

Lord, help me to live these latter years with a light grip on the things I treasure – – loved ones, health, security, independence. Lead me to understand that nothing really belongs to me but that all is gift. Help me to let go gently whenever life unexpectedly insists that I follow even closer in your footsteps and share an even larger part of your suffering.

March 9 - Unicoi to Tray Mt. - I'm On My Way - AgainI

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – St. Francis of Assisi


A big THANK YOU to the staff and Dr. Anthony Slagle for treating my skin cancer on Feb. 27th just 7 days after the return of the biopsy result.  Laser was a painless procedure for this early stage basal cell; it will heal in 3-4 weeks. I'll need to keep it clean on the trail to ensure proper healing.


A big THANK YOU to David Toone, L.Ac health without drugs or surgery.   David is fully certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). He holds a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine from the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, California. A reoccurring issue with plantar fasciitis on my left foot had reared its ugly head. Under his care my body was restored to its full potential and I successfully completed a half marathon on my 63rd birthday last year.  Over the course of his treatments, my foot no longer hurt and my body and mind became strong and confident. This time plantar fasciitis struck on the opposite foot; that was a surprise. I was fortunate to call on a day when someone had cancelled an appointment and he could see me the following day. I saw him 3 times for acupuncture, moxa and took herbal medication for about a week and my foot responded. Acupuncture is about moving, regulating, and correcting the body’s energy imbalances and I'm prepared to return to the trail.

A big THANK YOU to Squirrel (trail name) from Mountain Crossings store at Neels Gap who went through by back pack on March 8th and advised me on what I needed and what I didn't need. He thru-hiked the AT in 2006 just after finishing high school.  He said he didn't waste his parents' money on sending him to college. I imagine the education he received hiking from Georgia to Maine was priceless.

The inside of my pack - from the bottom of the pic which is actually the top of my pack: tent and cooking kit, yellow-clothes; grey - sleeping pad; green - food and the top which is actually the bottom of my pack - dark green compression sack holds 2 quilts, liner, down socks and down hat.  WHEW !  I like organization; now if I can get everything squeezed down as tightly as he managed ....

THANK YOU, G-4, for all the driving up and back, up and back, up and back and for your support.  I love you and I'll really miss you. 
 


RECAP:  Those are my Leki trekking poles at Unicoi Gap on February 16, 2013. I was glad to be in this parking lot; I had made it through a very cold night at Blue Mountain Shelter campsite (rain/sleet/dusting of snow) and the weather forecast for that night was a low around 17 degrees and snow.  I was sad too. Getting off the trail after only 2.5 days ... was I setting a record for the fastest departure from the Appalachian Trail ?  Certainly, this was not in my plan. I knew that starting on February 14 was taking a chance but it was a chance I wanted to take.  I'm the kind of person that sees the glass half full rather than half empty (that's my husband). Yes, we married our opposites which has made for an interesting soon-to-be 43 years together. The decision was made easier because I expected to get off the trail at some point to return for treatment of the skin cancer if the biopsy was positive. Just not quite this early ...but it all worked out. I wasn't that far from home and it made my return easier.
 
 
I came off the trail by the little green sign in the picture below and crossed the highway -- that was interesting ! As I looked to my right all I could see was a hill and to the left was the curve. So we listened for cars and moved as fast as we could. Buddy cooperated and didn't bounce around on my back too much.

My husband (G-4) drove me back to Unicoi Gap, I ascended these steps and returned to the trail. It was bittersweet. He would not hike with me as he did on Valentine's Day, my first day on the AT. And so, I began the climb up Rocky Mountain -- the beginning of my 4th day on the Appalachian Trail. Look closely and you can see the white blaze on the on the sign through the trees at the bend in the steps. I'll need to keep my eye out for these to show me the way. 

I'm On My Way -- a happy song of celebration by Phil Collins

                                                Winkle suggested this song for me. I found this cute rendition with bears. This variety of bear is the only type I hope to see on my pilgrimage.

Tell everybody I'm on my way
New friends and new places to see
With blue skies ahead, yes I'm on my way
And there's no where else I'd rather be

Tell everybody I'm on my way
And I'm loving every step I take
With the sun beating down, yes I'm on my way
And I can't keep this smile off my face

Cause there's nothing like seeing each other again
No matter what the distance between
And the stories we tell, will make you smile
Oh, it really lifts my heart

So tell'em I'm on my way
New friends and new places to see
And to sleep under the stars and could ask for more
With the moon keeping watch over me

Not the snow nor the rain, can change my mind
The sun will come out, wait and see
And the feeling of the wind
In your face can lift your heart

Oh... there's no where I'd rather be
Cause I'm on my way now
Well and true
I'm my way there
I'm on my way now

Tell everybody I'm on my way
I just can't wait to be there
With blue skies ahead, yes I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to share

So tell everybody I'm on my way
And I just can't wait to be home
With the sun beating down yes I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to show

I'm on my way
Yes, I'm on my way


Unicoi Gap to Tray Mountain Shelter 3-9-13

Ice -- when will winter end ?

G-4 hikes with me to Rocky Mountain

Escargot and her husband, Snowman (their 3rd attempt in 4 yrs. to thru-hike the AT). This is THEIR year !

A good-bye pic of G-4 as he heads back down to Unicoi Gap and the car

A parting smile from me

Sole Sister

Boy Scout Troop provides my 1st trail magic enroute to Tray Mt.

Man on left grew up in Fayette County, GA

See the white blaze on the rock denoting the trail

Blue blaze on tree is sign for the water source at Tray Mt.

Young man from Colorado, Charlie and Dreamer at Tray Mt. Shelter

Tray Mt. water source

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Fourth Station of the Cross - Jesus Meets His Loving Mother
  

Lord, you continue to strain under the weight of the cross, consumed by the effort to simply place one foot in front of the other. Sound and sight weave into a confused blur of hatred and ridicule. Yet, in a singular moment, your focus sharpens, and you become aware of your mother. And gazing into her eyes you know again the profound significance of your connectedness to all humankind.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the mounting hardships of these years. My spirit sags, my perspective becomes distorted. Self-pity arises and blinds me to the fact that I am not the only one who walks this road. And in my failure to recognize my brother and sister, mother and father, I magnify with loneliness the weight of my burden.

Lord, help me to stay connected with all of creation and to acknowledge my shared destiny with my fellow travelers on this journey. And when I feel discouraged by disappointments and difficulties, fill me with an assurance that all the rhythms of life are part of that music created by your wisdom.

Tent view from Tray Mt.

Ancient Paths

This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your soul.  Jer. 6:16


  

                                   This music video is a beautiful prayer.

Stanton Lanier's Blog

A fellow pilgrim sent me an email that I received the day I came off the trail on Feb. 16th.  What a surprise !  He had walked the Camino de Santiago many years ago (long before the movie, The Way, was released) and I had seen the beautiful pictures he had taken when he came to visit my dear friend, Nona. He watered the seed to one day walk the Camino that had been planted by Sr. Joyce Rupp from reading her book "Walk in a Relaxed Manner." The content of his email follows: 

Maybe you'll remember me. I'm Nona's nephew (by marriage) and we met at her place. I had walked the Camino de Santiago shortly before we met, and I've gone back to walk several other sections in France and Portugal. Jessica has forwarded your blog  to me and if possible I'd appreciate you putting me on your distribution list. We visited Nona in November and she mentioned you were undertaking the journey.

As fellow hiker and pilgrim, I wish you Godspeed. What a gutsy undertaking.  If I may, I'd like to share a scripture passage from Jeremiah that has meant much to me:  

"Yahweh says: 'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your soul.'"

May you find much to grow into while walking.

Peace

Frank 

I had made the decision to come off the trail but on that same day while I was riding home in the car, I received affirmation that the Lord wanted me to continue. The Lord sent a scripture verse through an acquaintance who had no idea I was off the trail for an undetermined amount of time.

When I replied to his email and told him I was off the trail and thanked him for the generous donation to Homes For Our Troops, this was his response:
 
Courage and fortitude.  There are no rules for a pilgrimage--you do what is necessary to make it. If that means taking a breather, so be it.

I'll think of you standing atop rocky Mt. Katahdin, marveling in Maine's autumn foliage, to say nothing of your triumph.

Peace

Frank

This past week after the laser procedure on my arm, I hoisted Buddy and took a 6 mile walk around town with G-4. Coming down Georgia Ave., heading towards home, a car stopped and the window came down. A young man in the passenger seat said "Where you headed? Are you preparing for a hike?" I told him I had been on the Appalachian Trail for a couple of days but came home due to the cold weather and also to have a skin cancer removed but I planned to thru-hike the AT . He became really excited and said his "hippy" Aunt had walked the AT 3 times over the course of many years. He said he wasn't really an organized religion kind of guy but he could connect spiritually when he was out in nature and he understood why I wanted to make this pilgrimage. He added that if I needed a ride back to the trail, he and his wife would take me. We have walked down/up Georgia Avenue for years. This past year many, many times with my pack on because there's a pretty decent hill. But on a day when I'm not sure about what day I'll get back to the trail and I'm wondering if I should go back to the trail, I have this encounter.

When people ask WHY I have undertaken such a challenge, I eventually say because I believe God has invited me to walk the Appalachian Trail and I usually follow that up with - I know that probably sounds crazy. I don't know the reason(s) for the invitation or how far the journey will take me. I have learned in the course of my 64 years, that if I believe God is asking something of me, it is in my best interest to follow His lead.

I continue to be amazed that at almost every turn, the Holy Spirit, cheers me on through people on the trail, email, the 2,185 mile sticker on the car, the young man in the car on Georgia Ave., people who have left notes on my journal and blog, donations given to Homes For Our Troops, and the prayers of family, friends and people I have never met (PrayerWalker's Prayer Warriors).

Oh, just an aside - a few days after receiving Frank's email with the scripture verse, I received an email from Stanton Lanier with the link to one of the songs he recorded for a new album coming out soon.  A Godincidence -- for sure, when I saw Jeremiah 6:16 appear on the video.

THANK YOU !!!