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The thing about making a big change in support of a midlife reality check, is that there are a lot of decisions and actions to take just to arrive at the starting line. I sold my house. I prepared to leave my job. I chose a start date. I planned the logistics for that start date.
So with all of that to do in the months leading up to my hike, the reality of all this change didn’t sink in until my mom, sister, niece, and I arrived at Amicalola Falls State Park. Only then did it start to feel real – I am doing this thing I’ve been telling people about and planning for for months. I am doing this crazy thing. I am, doing it?
Amicalola Falls State Park to Springer Mountain
My mom drove me down to my starting point, and my sister and niece met us there from their home near Raleigh, NC. The lodge was beautiful. We took in the views, walked to the top of the falls, and had dinner at their restaurant. I had some pre-trail jitters as the evening wore on, but did my best to prepare for the morning, including taking my last shower for a while.
My niece and I taking in the views from Amicalola Falls State Park lodge.
The next morning we were packed up and ready for breakfast by 7:30 a.m. I ate a huge waffle and savored the last hot, roasted coffee I would have for a while. We took some photos by the huge Appalachian Trail map hanging at the lodge, then headed to the Amicalola Visitor’s Center to register my hike, get my tag, and take pics by the iconic arch (even though I wasn’t going to start at the Approach Trail).
My sister, niece, me, and my mom at the iconic arch behind the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor’s Center.
Then, the adventure really began, via a 9-ish mile unpaved road up to the Springer Mountain Trailhead. It was fine at first, then it wasn’t very fine, then I thought maybe I should just get out and walk, then I felt horrible that my mom and sister and niece were probably going to die going back down that mountain road all because I wanted to do this stupid hike. Good news – they made it down anxious, but in good shape.
And then, we were there. When you start at the Springer Mountain Trailhead, you walk a mile to Springer Mountain summit, then you walk back to the parking lot where the trail continues. My mom, sister, and niece walked to Springer and back with me, so I left my pack in the car for the way up. At first it drizzled on us, then it poured, until we were all soaked and the trail had turned into a muddy mess on our way back.
Raining but smiling at Springer Mountain, the official southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Eh, it’s just rain, said every kid.
The Appalachian Roller Coaster Begins on Day 1
By the time we got back to the car and trailhead, I wasn’t in the best head space. I was wet and cold, getting started later than I planned, and wondering who in the hell chooses this as a midlife crisis activity. That meme from “The White Lotus,” popped into my head many times: “At this age, I just don’t think I’m meant to live an uncomfortable life.” I had just started, and I. Was. Uncomfortable. But, I’m meant to embrace the suck. If it starts out rainy, it can only get sunny from there. Talking myself out of that space doesn’t always help. But, I just started walking. Pretty soon, the fleece I threw on under my rain jacket had me feeling much warmer and dryer. The “luxury” umbrella I brought was coming in clutch and staying conveniently attached to my pack and hands free except for some slight adjustments. My legs felt strong. And before I knew it, I was okay. I was enjoying the changing scenery. The trail was pretty easy. I walked next to running water for a long time, and the sound was peaceful and healing.
Hostas (I think) in the wild!
Gotta love looking up and seeing this view.
Oh the sound of free running water in a creek. I was lucky to walk alongside this and hear its melody for much of my hike.
A short eight miles later and I arrived at Hawk Mountain Shelter for my first night on trail. There were lots of people there, which was both comforting and uncomfortable, because I didn’t know what I was doing, but didn’t want them to know that. I set up my tent behind the shelter. The spot had a privy and a nice water source a short walk away. I didn’t have much appetite on day one, so I forced myself to eat some peanut butter and crackers. I wrote in my journal, listened to a podcast I downloaded, then went to bed. Day one was a roller coaster of highs and lows, and more on that in the next update.
Happy Trails!
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