Day 27. Cosby Knob Shelter to Standing Bear Farm Hostel

This morning I woke up at 0500, packed up and had nuts and water for breakfast. By 0530, I was on the trail hiking with Rash, How Bout and Collin. We hiked in the dark for two hours until the sun rose over the mountains. We decided to hike early to have a restful afternoon at the Standing Bear Farm and hostel in Hartford Tennessee. The hike was nearly all downhill. It was nice to reach the lower elevations and feel the warmer air after being above 5000 feet most of the week. The trail followed a real nice stream with numerous water falls for approximately one mile. It was amazing. After reaching Davenport Gap, the trail continues under Interstate 40. When I saw the road sign for Asheville, I realized just how far I have walked from Georgia. It was a great feeling of accomplishment.

The hike was nice. It gave me time to reflect on the lessons I learned in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. When I reached the northern boundary of the park at Davenport Gap, I was actually a little sad to see it behind me. I turned around to face the trail head, quietly said a prayer and thanked God for the opportunity to experience it. The Park has changed me in many ways... It was a good dose of humility for me. As big, strong and wise as you may think you are, God has a way of stepping it up a notch. Just enough to let you know he is present and in control of all around you. He pushed me to my limits forcing me not to give up when the nights were bitter cold, the mountains were too steep and the winter storms battered against me. I have been knocked down a couple of notches and humbled by the experience and his obvious presence. I will never forget the Smoky's and the lessons I learned.

At 1300 I arrived at the Standing Bear Farm Hostel. It is a quaint eclectic compound consisting of several buildings housing bunk rooms, a cabin, kitchen, hand wash laundry and a privy. I cooked hot dogs for everyone here tonight. It was fun to be back in the kitchen even though it was just hot dogs... I have a new addiction... Fire roasted marshmallow Peeps!!!! They are to die for.... Yummy!!

Today I hiked 10.7 miles. And officially completed the 73 miles of trail through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I am 3 days away from reaching Hot Springs North Carolina.

So far I have hiked 240.8 miles!!! Not too shabby...

Video Update - March 13-14

Here's a video update for March 13-14. Hope you enjoy the great "Charlie's Bunion".

Also, I noticed the last two updates did not post in order. Not sure why but my apologies...

Day 25. Newfound Gap to Pecks Corner Shelter

Yesterday I found the Smoky Mountain Moonshine Co. They offered more free samples... The folks in Gatlinburg love to give free shots of booze!!! The moonshiners offer 10 flavors of their product. Of course I tried them all!!!! Apple pie corn liquor being my favorite... I slept like a baby!

This morning, I had breakfast with Rash, Julia and How Bout at Bennett's BBQ, an all you can eat breakfast bar. The food was good at the time, however a few hours later... We were all nauseated. How Bout and Julia actually vomited. I survived. After breakfast we piled into a free shuttle van provided by the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Gatlinburg and headed to Newfound Gap. We started hiking at 1030. It was very cold, high 20's and windy.

The trail was awesome. The landscape was pretty. One mile you are hiking in a gorgeous pine forest with the smell of Christmas in the air and the next you are skating across ice on a very narrow ridge as the ice cold wind burns your skin. The views were just indescribable... The vast clear space with mountains towering from the ground like a kings throne. The scene reminded me of a painting or movie set. Just too powerful to describe.

When I reached a rock outcrop named Charlie's Bunion, I was just overwhelmed with emotion. Tears welled in my eyes and I was speechless as the land dwarfed me. It was just so awesome and mighty. I realized that there is so much more in this world than the materialistic things humans crave. I thought of the Native American Indians that stood on the very spot I stood. And the same emotions they would experience... Truly a life changing moment for me today. A lesson in values and greed. I would trade everything I have just to have the humble emotions I experienced today daily in my life. I will never forget Charlie's Bunion.

The 10.9 mile hike was long and slow. Mainly because I was stumbling through the forest in amazement. The other reason was the painful toe problem I've been experiencing. Pressure to my left second to smallest toe. After walking about 6 miles, I had enough. It appeared that the toenail might be the problem. As I get older they are starting to look like cashew nuts!!! Lol. Thick, yellow and brittle... Yuck! Anyway I performed a minor surgery today and removed the toenail from the nail bed. The procedure was simple... Pull the nail back, separate with pocket knife, yank off with pliers from a Gerber tool and apply Quick Clot (commonly used for gunshot wounds to stop bleeding). Oh and I missed the most important step.... Holler at the top of your lungs!!!!!! Funny thing was that I slipped my boots back on only to discover that was not the problem! LOL. I noticed that one toe was curling over he other causing pressure when pressed against the front of the boot. So I taped the the two toes together with Duct Tape acting as a splint for the curly toe... Lol. It seems to work.

I arrived at the Pecks Corner Shelter at 1830. The shelter was completely full with thru and section hikers. There was "no room at the inn" for myself and How Bout. We set up our tents about 100 yards from the shelter for the night. I am writing this from my tent. It is very cold, low 20's. I'm sleeping with my water bottle, boots, electronic devices and clothes for tomorrow to keep them from freezing tonight. The plan for tomorrow is 13.4 miles to Cosby Knob Shelter. There is no cell coverage here for updating.

Today I hiked 10.9 miles and cried twice. First at Charlie's Bunion and second at Tim's Toenail...

So far I have hiked 217.7 miles! 10% of the trail completed...

Day 26. Pecks Corner Shelter to Cosby Knob Shelter

Last night at 0200 the snow began to fall... I awoke to a snow covered tent and 16 degrees. It was difficult getting out of my warm sleeping bag. At 0800 I packed up my gear, had a nice frozen Pop Tart breakfast and hit the trail. It was bitter cold trekking the exposed snow covered ridge lines. The views and vistas were amazing. The Smoky Mountains are truly an American treasure.

I hiked with How Bout most of the day. We stopped at the Tri Corner Knob shelter for a hot lunch. Tragically, less than two months ago, a man was found dead here from apparent hypothermia. The shelter is the most remote in the Park. God bless his soul and his family.

I reached the Cosby Knob Shelter at 1730. The shelter is full again with thru and section hikers, but I was able to squeeze in. Rash, Julia, How Bout and Collin are here also. We all started our adventure on the same day in February. Amazingly we have paced ourselves pretty close. After a hot dinner, I climbed into my bag and reflected on my days thoughts...

Today was one of the coldest days since starting the adventure. However the scenery and my thoughts kept the weather at bay... Tomorrow I will reach the northern most boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park completing the 72 mile section. I hope one day to return here in the spring or summer months to see the foliage and wild flowers.

The plan for tomorrow is to reach the Standing Bear Farm Hostel 11 miles north. A shower is in order... Trust me.

Today I hiked 13.4 miles in bitter cold conditions, but every mile was worth the suffering.

So far I have hiked 230.1 miles !!!

Video Update - Great Smoky Mountain National Park Part 1

Here's a quick video update. Part 1 Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fontana Dam southern boundary to Newfound Gap / Gatlinburg Tenn. I will post video updates as cell service dictates.

Enjoy and disregard any whining!!!! Lol.

Day 24. Gatlinburg Tennessee - Zero Day

Well, I much needed zero day for me. Still holed up at the Grand Prix motel for one more night. Rash, How Bout, Julia, Colin, Spencer and many other hikers are here dodging the weather and resupplying.

Gatlinburg is defiantly the redneck Las Vegas without gambling. Tacky gift shops, wax museums, old time photos, and whiskey everywhere. Today we ventured out to the grocery store and the NOC outfitter shop for supplies. Along the way I found a Whisky Distillery advertising "Free Samples"... And sampling I did!!!!

Tomorrow we will take a shuttle back to the trail head at Newfound Gap and start hiking around 1030. For now just rest!!!

The cell service through the Smoky's is bad hence the late postings. I will try to upload some videos today...