Blogging on the AT: Not Always Easy

My blog plan is daily journaling with actual blog posting when we are in town. This is not always easy because being in town means laundry, resupply, socializing, self-care and repacking.

I usually write my post while doing laundry. I make a cup of coffee and write. But this week after making my fancy coffee, the internet in town was too weak to post anything or even connect. It’s not as easy to blog on the trail as on the boat!

Top of the Mountain Internet 

We don’t often camp on top of the mountain because weather can get hairy up here. But due to it being the only place to camp for another six miles, here we are! 

It rained all morning, and I am still in my sleeping bag. I kind of like writing here. The rain is supposed to be completely gone in an hour, so I have precious writing time!

Post-16 Mile Day

Milestones are amazing, but after making one it feels like the day after your birthday. Just meh. So what did I do? Reassessed. 

The day after my big 16 we hiked with a friend, Moondog. I was struggling along. I had ditched my trekking poles, but he didn’t know that and suggested I use them. This cause me to reconsider getting trekking poles again.

My friend and physical therapy guru, Aaron, had been telling me to soak my feet in a creek for weeks, but the cold temps had kept me from trying it. Finally, I listened. It was hard to soak them in that freezing creek, but they felt so much better afterward. I washed my legs too, so it was completely refreshing.

Uncle Johnny’s

Erwin, Tennessee was hit hard by the hurricane last year. We had planned to support their recovery by staying here. Plus, it’s iconic. We hiked in and could not believe what we saw from the top of the mountain. The river was in a new spot. The bridge was GONE. We KNEW this information. We had seen photos. But to see it in person was humbling.

Uncle Johnny’s was up and running. The staff was welcoming and the cabin had everything we needed at our fingertips (not always the case at a hostel). The shuttle took us into town to resupply and have dinner. Then we came back for a quiet night of writing and video editing.

Big Change

We had been discussing my pack for about three weeks. My pack weight doesn’t match my hyperlite pack. I am NOT a hyperlite packer. I have tried and tried. 

So Cheetah and Jackie at Uncle Johnny’s helped me get a new pack (and new trekking poles). I tried on a few, discussed it with them, and finally brought in my old pack and tried one fully loaded.

The Osprey Aura 50 

When I picked up my loaded pack I was shocked at how comfortable it felt! Hiking with it took some adjustment, but after a week it has become second nature. And I have no pain in my shoulders now. All wins.

The trekking poles were a life saver this week. On our hike over three consecutive balds, we had precipitation and high winds all day. Rain, snow and sleet. If I hadn’t bought those poles, I don’t know how I would have stayed upright. They saved me from several falls.

Hike Your Own Hike

Comparison is the thief of joy. This is one of my mantras. I have stopped comparing my miles to those of other hikers. We are happily averaging 13-15 mile days now. And I am satisfied with that.

I savor each view, each rest on a grassy field, and each conversation  with a fellow hiker. I love stimulating the economy of trail towns. We will get to Katahdin. I am in no rush.

Writing in my Sleeping Bag

I am relishing in my slow morning of writing while Bill updates his journal app: Hiker’s Logbook. Looking back over the past two months of hiking is bringing happy tears to my eyes. There have been so many highs and so many lows (literally on the the ground from falling!), but all of it has been a precious treasure. 

Bill and I have become a well-oiled machine, working together day by day. We keep our eyes open for beauty and joy, and we keep our feet moving. Katahdin, we are in our way to you!

If you want to help me resupply or buy me breakfast when I’m in town, then there is a “Tip the Author” button below! It links directly to my Venmo. Thank you for following my adventures on the AT!

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