A Day On The Appalachian Trail
My daughter, Krys, and I took the day to hike a section of the Appalachian Trail. It was an 8-mile-hike, which was a stroll for her and quite a challenge for me. This was the first time I have stepped foot on the AT, but it has been a desire for some time. It is funny how we sometimes have these plans and desires, and so often never seem to get around to them. Krys will be a Jr. in college this year and I want to spend good times with her. This will qualify. We did some good talking and it was just a lot of fun.
We entered the trail at Woody Gap, atop a mountain about 2 miles from Suches, GA. The circuitous trail took us, finally, to Gooch Gap, and back.
Here's some impressions of the journey:
Different
It's but a thin little trail, uneven, impeded with boulders and brush all along the way. I was envisioning something smoother and perhaps more gentle, like the walking trails in the County parks of this area. But, I guess, the AT is not made for a gentle walk with a baby stroller.
Challenging
Some parts were quite strenuous, involving long uphill climbs. For the first time in quite a while, my heart was pounding. My thinking is this kind of exercise has got to be healthy, and obviously a lot more interesting than jogging and lifting weights.
Little Things
After about two hours of walking, I realized that little things are very important for serious hiking. Good socks, good shoes. Have your toenails cut properly. Bring some bandaids.
Overloaded
I met some hikers along the way who carried these huge backpacks, which must have weighed 40-60 pounds. And I could not imagine trying to negotiate those hills with such a load.
Nature
Along the way, a couple of vistas were amazing. Obviously I could see for many miles, with not a sign of civilization. It was a re-reminder of the beauty of creation, easily forgotten where I now live, with all the new construction and subdivision. Trees are constantly bulldozed, hills leveled, and streams covered in worship of the god of Progress.
Thumbs Up!
Interestingly, I saw not one piece of trash, a wonderful testimony to the respect of nature by all who hike these woods.
I so enjoyed the hike, and I will be back. Actually there are many trails and beautiful places out there, inviting such adventure. One that interests me is the Silver Comet Trail, a biking/hiking trail spanning from Atlanta to the Alabama state line. And, this next weekend, we will be traveling to Gulf Shores, Alabama. I intend to arise early and walk the beach for several miles.
For me, such times of walking and hiking become wonderful times of reflection, and prayer. It clears the mind. It gets me back to the basics: nature, relationship, beauty, simplicity, God. It is most likely the best of therapy. So, I say to you, “Take a hike!”, and that's not an insult.
07.29.06 (11:06 am) [
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posted by:
danielmacdonald (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (6:48 am)
That sounds so great Dave! I've miss going this year on the A.T The rule is 30% of your body wight for your pack so if you your 180lbs that be 54lbs but must try to keep it between 30-45lbs. believe me after 20 miles your feel it :) good post Dave look like you had fun with your daughter.
Dan
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (7:12 am)
Man oh man.... would I love that.. I say we schedule a week long treck for those of us over forty-five... Wait. Bad idea. If we don't have a healthy young person along to pace us, we'll only make a mile a day.
Hmmm.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (8:12 am)
Sounds like wonderful quality time with your daughter. I hope she found it to be the same consideriing her company. ;-)
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (8:13 am)
we have the other end of the AT up here in WV/OHIO. its just as beautiful, only different. i wish i could make time to walk it. well, i could. dave doesn't walk well though, and i don't schedule things that he cannot do, out of love i guess. or tiredness. glad you and Krys got a day together as Dad/daughter. those are important.
posted by:
inkspector (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (10:13 am)
Bug juice is a good item as well as HandiWipes or the Purell Hand cleaner.
Apples and cheese for energizers too in case you go again soon.
I am glad you both had a nice time together.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (10:27 am)
Reply to: danielmcdonald
Here's the deal: You begin the trail in Maine, I'll begin here in Georgia, and we should meet somewhere in Virginia. I'll be the guy in the Atlanta Braves hat.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (10:28 am)
Reply to: surrogate
Maybe not a week long, but I'll go for about 3 days! And I vote that, at the end of every day, someone pick us up and take us to a comfortable place to stay.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (10:29 am)
Reply to: bawdy
Oh she did. She insisted that we keep this appointment. I even offered her some money to change the plans, and she refused.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (10:31 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
Dave might be glad to let you get away for a few days of hiking. I've traveled to Ohio, but never been to WV. I imagine the trails would be quite challenging.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (10:33 am)
Reply to: inkspector
Apples and cheese would be a good idea. I understand, somewhere along the AT here in GA, there is a motel for hikers that is 5 miles from the nearest road. That would be an interesting excursion, rewarded with a unique stay. I may give it a try sometime soon.
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
07.29.06 (8:00 pm)
Funny you should mention the AT. I drove over the only bit you can drive on while on my vacation earlier this month. I love hiking for much the same reasons you do: a chance to get away and breath in God, not to mention some fresh air. I'd love to hike the thing, but they say it takes 3-6 months to get through. Like my rafting guide said, "If you ever have 3-6 months of your life to waste on walking..."
posted by:
Misguided (
reply)
post date:
07.30.06 (5:17 am)
makes me think of the time we took the five kids on a hike in this state park and well we got 2 far ahead of ourselves and ended up on the other side of the park which was a good 2 hours away from our truck...now picture these kids faces when we explain how far the truck was lol...lets just say dad left us behind and hiked the rest of the way as i stayed with the kids listening 2 my neck hurts and my legs hurt and i can not walk anymore...we had water and snacks for them and i know what u mean about makin sure u wear the proper shoes and YES make sure u have enough baid aides...but its something we all look back on and laugh...i have pictures of them sitting on the rocks and by that u would never known we had a rough time heading back lol
posted by:
Danielmacdonald (
reply)
post date:
07.31.06 (12:37 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Sounds like a deal Dave. I'll bring the cold beer lol lol lol I love the trail and been using it for years, I've been a member in the past in AMC and ATC. I did all of PA,NJ,CT,Ma and some of Maine. I always wanted to to go in one shot but never happened "YET"
Dan
P/S you can bring the hot dogs :)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.31.06 (12:49 pm)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
I was invited, by a friend, to join him for a 40 mile hike. I thought about it, thought about the backpack I would need to tote, thought about the hill and the blisters, and said "No". A day-hike is good enough for me.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.31.06 (12:51 pm)
Reply to: Danielmacdonald
My goodness, you are serious about your hiking. Come on down this way! I think the AT goes for about 100 miles here in Georgia. You're going to bring the beer? Funny, funny....
posted by:
drforbush (
reply)
post date:
08.02.06 (3:10 pm)
Last year about this time I took the family on our "Tour of the West." We didn't really tour much else than the National Parks. At each park we took at least one hike of some kind. At the Grand Canyon we hiked down about half way and turned around. It might have been about 4 miles total. I don't remember exactly. We took an 8 mile hike, which was the longest, in Zion. This was toward the end of our two weeks on the road. My wife and I had a good pace going, and the kids suddenly stopped and wanted to play in the creek.
We loved the trails so much that we decided to do a trail run in April. It was a 5.5 mile run at Big Basin, which is in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We did it in about 56 minutes and I got 9 place over all.
The next trail we have planned is Angel Island in November. The first mile is a 1000 foot climb, then 4 miles around the top of the island with views of the San Francisco Bay and surounding area. Then the last mile is the same climb up, but in reverse.
