Sprout Day 187 (Friday, September 30, 2016)

We woke up early to the sound of thunder and heavy rain. No one showed up to the shelter yesterday and since our tent was already up and dry under the porch we just slept in the tent.

This shelter is .3 off trail and it's a steep climb down. It doesn't look like too many people use it. There isn't anyone on the trail right now anyway. With the rain and thunder we just stayed in bed and decided to wait it out. The rain didn't stop and we eventually decided to stay here for the day. I'm glad we did because it rained off and on all day. It would've been a wet miserable day had we hiked on. The ledges are slippery around here so it's easy to fall. Walking over some of the rocks feels like walking on ice. We made the right decision.

It's funny we’re even at this shelter because normally we wouldn't come to a shelter this far off trail unless we needed water (that’s probably why it doesn’t seem as if a lot of people use this shelter). After we were here I realized this is the shelter I was looking up and reading about last winter. I wanted to come here and see what the old property looked like. I wish I could've seen the old house still standing but it's still cool to see it with the frame and chimneys still standing. All the rubble in the middle just adds to the character. I'd like to see some old pictures of what the property looked like back in its prime. Going down to the spring in front of the old house made me think a lot about how life must of been for the Sarver family. The house was built in the 1850’s and four generations of Sarvers lived in it.

Day: 187
Miles hiked: 0
Total Miles hiked on the trail: 1515.5
Baby Bear: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Bluegill: 2
Butterflies: 8
Chipmunks: 3
Cows: 24
Crawfish: 1
Deer: 20
Donkeys: 2
Grouse: 1
Horses: 15
Hummingbird: 1
Inchworm: 1
Really Big Dog: 1
Mice: 2
Moose: 2
Nest of bugs: 2
Newts: 2
Owl: 1
Rabbit: 1
Red Squirrel: 1
Skunk: 1
Snail: 1
Snake: 3
Squirrels: 12
Toads: 3
Trout: 2
Turkeys: 4
Turtles: 107
Vultures: 6
Woodpecker: 1

Sprout Day 186 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)

Last night was a wet night because it rained all night. It started around 9:30 and rained until 8:00 a.m. the next morning. It was lightning, thundering, and raining really hard. After awhile the ground underneath the tent got wet and made the bottom kind of damp. Some of the edges of the tent were wet and everything felt damp but for the most part we were dry.

It was cold first thing in the morning again. With everything being wet we just lay in the tent until it all stopped. We had a little cell service, enough to know we were getting hit with more rain.

We packed everything and headed about 3.5 miles down to the Server Hollow Shelter. It was slippery steep hike down over ledges. The shelter is big and nice with a huge porch area and a picnic table. It felt good to get under something dry knowing rain was coming later in the day.

We decided to stay where we were and dry everything out the best we could. The water source was nice and clear and cold. I'm glad we stayed there because a storm came through not long after we got there. Now, before bed, it’s raining and thundering again.

This shelter is cool. Down by the water source I noticed some ruins of an old house and a couple other buildings. These were the ruins of an old homestead. The Sarvers lived here a long time ago. There's evidence of their house and a cabin. There are also stones which I think was the family cemetery. They say this shelter is haunted by a guy named George. They're not sure if he was a member of the family or not but in the middle of the night sometimes you can hear him walk across the shelter with his cane. We will see how the rest of the night goes but so far nothing but the thunder is giving the place an eerie feeling!

Day: 186
Miles hiked: 3.4
Total Miles hiked on the trail: 1515.5
Baby Bear: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Bluegill: 2
Butterflies: 8
Chipmunks: 3
Cows: 24
Crawfish: 1
Deer: 20

Donkeys: 2
Grouse: 1
Horses: 15
Hummingbird: 1
Inchworm: 1
Really Big Dog: 1
Mice: 2
Moose: 2
Nest of bugs: 2
Newts: 2
Owl: 1
Rabbit: 1
Red Squirrel: 1
Skunk: 1
Snail: 1
Snake: 3
Squirrels: 12
Toads: 3
Trout: 2
Turkeys: 4
Turtles: 107
Vultures: 6
Woodpecker: 1

Sprout Day 185 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)

We woke up today with temperatures colder than it has been in some time. It was in the high 40s - low 50s. It was cold enough for me to put on some pants and my jacket. I bundled up and put water on for breakfast early. I could even see my breath. It was a little cool but perfect hiking weather once you get moving.

We went 12.7 miles with some steep incline changes. We would've made it further but we had a storm roll through and we waited it out in a shelter. After the storm passed we went another three miles. I am lying here now and listening to another the thunderstorm close by. I hope it doesn't get too bad out there but we're ready for it if it gets bad.

After hiking for 2.7 miles, we made it to the top of a 1,400 foot incline change. At the top was a sign of the Eastern Continental Divide. Water on one side of the mountain leads to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico and the other side leads to the James River and the Atlantic Ocean.

There are ledges with a view towards the direction of tomorrow’s sunrise. We are getting up early and heading that way so hopefully there will be a nice sunrise in the morning.

Our day was epic because we hit 1500 miles and it's our 6 month anniversary on trail! It feels great to still be on trail and it's crazy to think we've walked 1500 miles!!! Life is good on the Appalachian Trail. l I love being out here and getting closer to our goal, Springer Mountain!

We went past a cool memorial for Audie Murphy one of the most decorated war veterans. There were some benches up there, a big flag, and a bunch of other things people took up there. It was a great memorial.

We made it 1500 miles!

Day: 185
Miles hiked: 12.7
Total Miles hiked on the trail: 1512.1
Baby Bear: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Bluegill: 2
Butterflies: 8
Chipmunks: 3
Cows: 24
Crawfish: 1
Deer: 20
Donkeys: 2
Grouse: 1
Horses: 15
Hummingbird: 1
Inchworm: 1
Really Big Dog: 1
Mice: 2
Moose: 2
Nest of bugs: 2
Newts: 2
Owl: 1
Rabbit: 1
Red Squirrel: 1

Skunk: 1
Snail: 1
Snake: 3
Squirrels: 12
Toads: 3
Trout: 2
Turkeys: 4
Turtles: 107
Vultures: 6
Woodpecker: 1

Sprout Day 184 (Tuesday, September 27, 2016)

We got a late start out of Four Pines Hostel. I set the tent up out in the barn because it was raining all day and night. The barn kept us dry and kept us from sleeping in the garage. The barn has enough ground space for a few tents and there are benches along the wall, some couches, and chairs inside too. It's such a big barn he also stores stuff in here, a boat, a tractor, and other things. No one else set up out there so we had the place to ourselves. It was dark inside even when the sun came up so it was hard to wake up and get going.

We did wake up at 8:00 a.m. and I made myself go down to the garage. I just wanted to lay there and sleep but knew I had to get moving and get back on the trail. We packed our bags and drank lots of coffee. Bubbles made us scrambled eggs for breakfast. The owners Joe and Donna have chickens on the property and let hikers have as many eggs as they want. I love fresh farm eggs so it was much appreciated. Thank you!

Another thing about Joe is that he loves to play corn hole. It was fun watching him play and funny listening to him talk crap to whomever he was playing against. I really liked four pines; it was a unique place with really nice people.

We hiked around 7 miles and are staying at Pickle Shelter. The weather should be nice tomorrow so hopefully we can knock out some big miles. We also had something different for dinner. We packed out a few red potatoes, an onion, and some garlic. We made a fire and cooked them in tin foil. It was delicious.

Day: 184
Miles hiked: 6.7
Total Miles hiked on the trail: 1499.4

Baby Bear: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Bluegill: 2
Butterflies: 8
Chipmunks: 3
Cows: 24
Crawfish: 1
Deer: 20
Donkeys: 2
Grouse: 1
Horses: 15

Hummingbird: 1
Inchworm: 1
Really Big Dog: 1
Mice: 2
Moose: 2
Nest of bugs: 2
Newts: 2
Owl: 1
Rabbit: 1
Red Squirrel: 1
Skunk: 1
Snail: 1
Snake: 3
Squirrels: 12
Toads: 3
Trout: 2
Turkeys: 4
Turtles: 107
Vultures: 6
Woodpecker: 1

Sprout Day 183 (Monday, September 26, 2016)

We were surprised to wake up to rain. We knew it was supposed to rain in the afternoon but thought we would have good weather in the morning.

We got up, packed, and tried to figure out the best plan for the day. Since the weather was looking horrible and storms were moving in later in the day we decided to slack pack 6 miles from where we got off trail and hike back to four pines.

It was a good move. We got the six miles done and were back to the hostel right as the storms started. It rained most of the day with thunder and lightning; we were happy to be in a safe dry place for the day.

For the most part we relaxed all day. We went with the shuttle driver to drop someone off at the airport. He was going to stop at Walmart on the way home and we wanted to get a few things from the store. We all pitched in a got a few frozen pizzas and some ice cream and apple pie.

A few different hikers showed up throughout the day. This is an interesting place and it seems like we got here just in time to meet some interesting hikers. It's been great being here we've had fun and it felt good to stay dry when it was raining.

We're going to get up tomorrow, have breakfast, and make our way to the trail. It should be a great day for hiking it's supposed to be in the low 70's.

Day: 183
Miles hiked: 5.9
Total Miles hiked on the trail: 1492.7
Baby Bear: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Bluegill: 2
Butterflies: 8
Chipmunks: 3
Cows: 24
Crawfish: 1
Deer: 20
Donkeys: 2
Grouse: 1
Horses: 15
Hummingbird: 1
Inchworm: 1
Really Big Dog: 1
Mice: 2
Moose: 2
Nest of bugs: 2
Newts: 2
Owl: 1
Rabbit: 1
Red Squirrel: 1
Skunk: 1
Snail: 1
Snake: 3
Squirrels: 12
Toads: 3
Trout: 2
Turkeys: 4
Turtles: 107
Vultures: 6
Woodpecker: 1

Sprout Day 182 (Sunday, September 25, 2016)

We got to the campsite late last night and I didn't sleep the best. Our tent was on an incline and the people at the shelter were loud. On the weekend a lot of people go out and camp around McAfee Knob because it is such an iconic place and because it's only about 4 miles from the trailhead parking lot.

We woke up early today. My alarm went off at 4:45 and I got up and started to pack my things. The whole game plan was to get up to Mcafee Knob for the sunrise. We didn't get much of a sunrise because the fog was so heavy. We had a great time but there were so many people up at the Knob by the time it was light it was a little crazy. Someone got engaged up there and a lot of their friends hiked up for that and also a lot of day hikers were there. The weather was perfect for hiking so I couldn't blame them for wanting to get out for a hike.

Once we got down to the parking lot at Route 311 we called the Four Pines Hostel and they sent the dragon wagon to come get us. Blank, the driver, was at the hostel doing work for stay. The dragon wagon is an old astro van with a huge dragon painted on the side. Blank was nice he took us through the gas station before we went to the hostel.

Four pines has been great.  When we first got there we got our laundry together and took showers, it felt great to take a shower and we really needed one after the hot and humid week.

We went to a restaurant called Home Place and it was the best food I've had in a long time (probably one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to). I wasn’t sure what to expect because it just looked like a huge house with a parking lot. It was an all you can eat southern cooking family style restaurant. I heard the fried chicken was the best around. We didn't have to wait too long for a table. We all had to decide what to get - the choices were two meats and a bunch of different sides to choose from. We ended up getting fried chicken and ham for the meat and mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, biscuits, apple butter, and an apple cinnamon side. Everything was delicious but I will never forget the fried chicken, The fried chicken was so good it melted in your mouth and the sides were delicious. We also got cobbler and iv cream for dessert it was so good.

Day: 182
Miles hiked: 4.4
Total Miles hiked on the trail: 1486.6
Baby Bear: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Bluegill: 2
Butterflies: 8
Chipmunks: 3
Cows: 24
Crawfish: 1
Deer: 20
Donkeys: 2
Grouse: 1
Horses: 15
Hummingbird: 1
Inchworm: 1
Really Big Dog: 1
Mice: 2
Moose: 2
Nest of bugs: 2
Newts: 2
Owl: 1
Rabbit: 1
Red Squirrel: 1
Skunk: 1
Snail: 1
Snake: 3
Squirrels: 12
Toads: 3
Trout: 2
Turkeys: 4
Turtles: 107
Vultures: 6
Woodpecker: 1

Sprout Day 181 (Saturday, September 24, 2016)

We had another great day and hiked 14.8 miles to Campbell's Shelter tonight. It’s only 0.7 miles to McAfee Knob.

It was really hot and humid today and it’s been difficult to find water. A lot of the water sources are dried up or its just a nasty puddle. You take what you can get when it’s this bad but I hate when the water has a white film on the top.

We hiked to Tinkers Cliffs and waited on the sun to set and had dinner. It was a beautiful sunset so we couldn't pass up the opportunity. We had 5 miles to walk after the cliffs to get to Campbell's Shelter. We wanted to get as close to McAfee knob as we could. Our plan is to wake up around 445 and pack up and go up to McAfee knob and wait on the sunrise. It'll only be a few miles after that to get to the road where the hostel will come pick us up. I'm excited to get to the hostel and get a shower and wash my clothes.

I saw a huge black snake on trail this afternoon. There were a lot of big boulders and different cliffs on the way up here it was a great section the only thing that would've made it better would have been more water!

While hiking into the Lamberts Meadow shelter we ran into an older couple from the area. They were from the area and were going to the campsite to see a tree. When we got there we saw what they meant. A huge tree fell last Wednesday and crushed the picnic table! After talking to them they told us that the tree fell on a tent last Wednesday with a mom and daughter inside. The daughter was ok but the mom had a punctured lung, broken ribs, and a few other problems. It was definitely a huge reminder of how important it is to check the trees before we set up our tent. A dead tree is something to stay away from!

We can't wait to see Mcafee Knob in the morning, there's going to be a bunch of people up there since it's a weekend. Oh well, I'm still excited!

Tinker's Cliff at sunset

Day: 181
Miles hiked: 15.4

Total Miles hiked on the trail: 1482.4
Baby Bear: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Bluegill: 2
Butterflies: 8
Chipmunks: 3
Cows: 24
Crawfish: 1
Deer: 20
Donkeys: 2
Grouse: 1
Horses: 15
Hummingbird: 1
Inchworm: 1
Really Big Dog: 1
Mice: 2
Moose: 2
Nest of bugs: 2
Newts: 2
Owl: 1
Rabbit: 1
Red Squirrel: 1
Skunk: 1
Snail: 1
Snake: 3
Squirrels: 12
Toads: 3
Trout: 2
Turkeys: 4
Turtles: 107
Vultures: 6
Woodpecker: 1