Almost to the Border!

    
      Taken me awhile but finally I am posting on here! Currently I am in a bunk at Top of Georgia Hostel in Hiawassee, GA hanging with a fellow hiker 420. So far I have made it 52.9 miles you Unicoi Gap! Very happy and proud of these past days and all that’s happened!

      First I should thank everyone who’s supporting me and sending very kind and loving words. Thank you to those praying for me and calling and texting to check in it means a lot! It was very heartwarming after hard days to check my phone to see what someone said to me or a message from someone I’ve never even met encouraging me. It has made a world of difference, so I do want to thank you!

     First day on trail was an adventure for sure! I stayed at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega that was very nice! Josh and his wife and crew were very friendly and welcoming and took care of everyone well. Was fun staying up and playing cards with an amazing guy,that reminded me of a friend back home, Drew and Casper. I summited Springer in the morning and was very surreal and amazing to be back there where I was three years ago. I spent probably an hour up there taking pictures and simply enjoying my time. I would end up spending my day hiking with Casper, Trip & Roll, Janice (?), and Packing Big. That was a lot of fun and enjoyed my time with T&R and Janice even though I haven’t seen them since. 

  
    I spent a few days in town resting up after a couple of days hiking to deal with some knee and calf pain I’ve been having. Was needed and was happy to get out of the horrid day of rain that everyone got soaked in. Biggest day so far was hiking 14 miles from Gooch Gap to Neels Gap, which includes going over Blood Mountain. I originally planned to do that but was getting later in the day so was gonna camp before the mountain. But I ran into a guy who was saying he was gonna do it and didn’t care how long it took! So I was just like screw it! If he’s going over I’ll go to. After climbing that colossus of a mountain, we finally got out of there right before the dark fully hit!

 
   So far I’ve met some incredible people on trail from all over the world and it’s hard to express how amazing this all is. Between hanging with friends at a hostel til late at night to sharing a hotel room with three other hikers in a Holiday Inn, it’s been an adventure! I got to try new beers with some guys from Texas and just hangout and tell stories, talking about our lives and how to speak Canadian!

    One thing I’ve definitely learned out here is it doesn’t matter if I make it to Maine or make it to tomorrow, this was a success. I made it further than I did the last time. I’ve had a lot of fun and laughs in this adventure. I’ve got to enjoy really beautiful landscapes and beauty that my camera or words can never tell really how glorious this place is. You really do have to be here to know how great this is. I thank God for just pushing me everyday to go and continue on this journey more and more. For working on me to be a better person with every step in everyday. It’s been an amazing time here! 
   Thank you for following along with my journey! If you have any questions or comments please leave them below! Also follow me on Instagram to see pictures along the way!