2. TENT CITY. TRAIL DAYS. // DAMASCUS, VA
3. TREE HOUSE HOSTEL ROOM. // KINCORA HIKING HOSTEL.
4. OVERMOUNTAIN SHELTER. // ROAN, TN
Burgundee
Friday, May 31, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Breaking News!
I saw a weird bug. I didn't take a picture because I was busy walking to Maine. But it was big. It was also green. It had a long bendy neck. It had a distinguishing black triangle mark on its back. I tried to google 'green bug long neck black triangle,' but I did not find the appropriate picture to corroborate my finding. So I assume it's a new species never before discovered until I stepped over it. Your welcome, science.
Love, Skittles.
Love, Skittles.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Trail Updates: 5/2
While we're having plentiful amounts of fun off the trail, life thus far ON the trail has been just as eventful and enjoyable.
The latest: Smokey Mountains National Park was a week long, slower-paced, and colder section. Days consisted of one awesome view after another, and 10-mile spaced out camps that allowed us to take more leisurely hiking days. Higher altitudes brought the temps down to 20-30 degrees at night, just cold enough to make you re-evaluate a 30-degree sleeping bag. BUT the unique trails and great company made for yet another successful week.
Leaving the Smokies consisted of two days of torrential downpouring...Or for us, one extremely wet day and one morning of being shuttled into the nearest town where our group of (now) 8 slept on the floor of a chapel, ate ridiculous amounts of food, and where were able to leave our packs to hike the 20-mile section we left to get out of the rain (Note: this is called "slack-packing", where hikers are able to hike without packs...Amazing when you're used to carrying 30 pounds.)
More trail observations:
-It now takes 4 times the amount of food to feel full, on an hourly basis.
-10 miles feel easy.
-Living in woods 24/7 inspire endless group challenges for enjoyment that are primarily based on eating.
-It is possible to consume half a jar of peanut butter in one day.
-Feeling clean can be achieved with a pack of wet wipes or the nearest source of obviously clean water.
-The majority of people hiking the AT are awesome.
-Exercising for 10 hours a day is the catalyst for endless amounts of unpredictable side-effects.
-Days are broken up by milestones: Meals, climbs, meals, shelters, meals, camp.
-This life is great.
We're currently on our third rest day of the week due to visiting various friends and resting up in towns. We've spent the last two days on a friend's awesome organic farm, check out http://www.rootbottomfarm.com to see what they're all about.
Also, props to our our friend Rambo for the unreal home-cooked meal tonight. You rock.
Thinking about all of the friends and family at home, we appreciate the love and support so far!
Back on trail in North Carolina tomorrow.
Sara (Saga)
The latest: Smokey Mountains National Park was a week long, slower-paced, and colder section. Days consisted of one awesome view after another, and 10-mile spaced out camps that allowed us to take more leisurely hiking days. Higher altitudes brought the temps down to 20-30 degrees at night, just cold enough to make you re-evaluate a 30-degree sleeping bag. BUT the unique trails and great company made for yet another successful week.
Leaving the Smokies consisted of two days of torrential downpouring...Or for us, one extremely wet day and one morning of being shuttled into the nearest town where our group of (now) 8 slept on the floor of a chapel, ate ridiculous amounts of food, and where were able to leave our packs to hike the 20-mile section we left to get out of the rain (Note: this is called "slack-packing", where hikers are able to hike without packs...Amazing when you're used to carrying 30 pounds.)
More trail observations:
-It now takes 4 times the amount of food to feel full, on an hourly basis.
-10 miles feel easy.
-Living in woods 24/7 inspire endless group challenges for enjoyment that are primarily based on eating.
-It is possible to consume half a jar of peanut butter in one day.
-Feeling clean can be achieved with a pack of wet wipes or the nearest source of obviously clean water.
-The majority of people hiking the AT are awesome.
-Exercising for 10 hours a day is the catalyst for endless amounts of unpredictable side-effects.
-Days are broken up by milestones: Meals, climbs, meals, shelters, meals, camp.
-This life is great.
We're currently on our third rest day of the week due to visiting various friends and resting up in towns. We've spent the last two days on a friend's awesome organic farm, check out http://www.rootbottomfarm.com to see what they're all about.
Also, props to our our friend Rambo for the unreal home-cooked meal tonight. You rock.
Thinking about all of the friends and family at home, we appreciate the love and support so far!
Back on trail in North Carolina tomorrow.
Sara (Saga)
Monday, April 29, 2013
More News From Nowhere
Skittles here. I'm called that because I eat skittles. Clever, huh? I'm going to just rattle off a couple highlights if the last few days.
First off, our new friend Gnar McKnee pooped himself a little but today, so he'd like to tell everyone that you should be careful when you fart when you've been having stomach issues. This is a safety issue for all, really.
Next, we hiked twenty miles today, and I for one did it hungover, because I happened to meet a few fine Ohioans who got me drunk on the finest beer Hot Springs, North Carolina has to offer, which is surprisingly good. So after we hiked those twenty miles, we went right back to the bar to celebrate. We are athletes.
Speaking of the athleticism necessary for the trail, our pooping friend Gnar had, in my opinion, the best summation of our hike. He said, 'sometimes I think about what an athletic endeavor it is that we're undertaking, and I feel good about myself, but then I look at somebody like Bubba, (one of those guys who, even when he's standing up, it looks like he's sitting down, and his food bag is an old bag of kettle corn) and he's hiking right there with us. So this isn't hard. That's something you should know. But there is an endurance factor that is the hard part. We're out here for six months. Most people just can't do that with their lives. So that's why I consider this a pretty cool life event.
People like us because of our weird decision. I met a couple from St. Louis, and they were just amazed that we are walking 2200 miles. So they bought us two pitchers of beer. And then I met the Ohio boys, (hey Patton, Meatball and Pa!) and they bought me dinner, and even more beer, just because they think this undertaking is fascinating and impressive. But when I think about it, all I'm doing is talking a walk with my friends for six months. I'm having a great time. I'm meeting great people. DeLorean, Talker, Rambo, Gnar, Push Up, 22, everybody. That's what makes it all more than just a stroll through the forest.
And here's a picture of me and my awesome beard and sunglasses. Careful ladies, there may be swooning.
And the sexier one is a side shot of the aforementioned Bubba, in his, 'everything else is in the wash, so I'll wear a bug net and boxers gear.'
First off, our new friend Gnar McKnee pooped himself a little but today, so he'd like to tell everyone that you should be careful when you fart when you've been having stomach issues. This is a safety issue for all, really.
Next, we hiked twenty miles today, and I for one did it hungover, because I happened to meet a few fine Ohioans who got me drunk on the finest beer Hot Springs, North Carolina has to offer, which is surprisingly good. So after we hiked those twenty miles, we went right back to the bar to celebrate. We are athletes.
Speaking of the athleticism necessary for the trail, our pooping friend Gnar had, in my opinion, the best summation of our hike. He said, 'sometimes I think about what an athletic endeavor it is that we're undertaking, and I feel good about myself, but then I look at somebody like Bubba, (one of those guys who, even when he's standing up, it looks like he's sitting down, and his food bag is an old bag of kettle corn) and he's hiking right there with us. So this isn't hard. That's something you should know. But there is an endurance factor that is the hard part. We're out here for six months. Most people just can't do that with their lives. So that's why I consider this a pretty cool life event.
People like us because of our weird decision. I met a couple from St. Louis, and they were just amazed that we are walking 2200 miles. So they bought us two pitchers of beer. And then I met the Ohio boys, (hey Patton, Meatball and Pa!) and they bought me dinner, and even more beer, just because they think this undertaking is fascinating and impressive. But when I think about it, all I'm doing is talking a walk with my friends for six months. I'm having a great time. I'm meeting great people. DeLorean, Talker, Rambo, Gnar, Push Up, 22, everybody. That's what makes it all more than just a stroll through the forest.
And here's a picture of me and my awesome beard and sunglasses. Careful ladies, there may be swooning.
And the sexier one is a side shot of the aforementioned Bubba, in his, 'everything else is in the wash, so I'll wear a bug net and boxers gear.'
Friday, April 19, 2013
Waiting out some rain
After a tough couple of days of intense climbs and hot/stormy weather, we're taking a zero (rest day) and waiting out the rain before entering the Smokies tomorrow. There's a chance of ice storms for higher altitudes tonight, so it appears most hikers will be inside and staying dry until things clear up. Will be able to update with more from the Smoky Mountains soon!
Sara (New trail name: Saga)
Sara (New trail name: Saga)
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