Live from Top of Georgia Hostel

Here I am,  day 6 and my first real resupply in Hiawassee Georgia.  Pretty life changing so far. I’ve honestly never been so happy surrounded by caring and sweet ass people.  I climbed my first mountain of the trip,  got some stellar trail magic,  and met some rocking friends.  Hope all my good fortune continues from here on out.  My feet,  unlike most,  are blister free,  thanks to my Chacos, really though,  thanks guys!!!

Blood Mountain and Other Drugs

Hiking up blood mountain was a pleasure.  Great challenge and great reward.  The shelter on top was over 70 years old and I met some stellar people, cute lil’ dogs and all.  After that,  Neel Gap was straight below.  Complete with a boots of Christmas past tree,  Neel Gap is the only building in which the trail goes straight through…. I think?

Neel Gap came with a nice little outfitter stocked with hot dogs and other dinner time delights as well as resupply contents. Adorned on the wall were packs left behind,  some with thousands of miles on them. More notable,  a hiker named “rebar” pictured in the back of the store. A small card explains his story of hiking with a solid 15 pound stick of rebar over 1500 miles.  Why man? Why? 

Nudge Ministries

Holly trail magic batman!!  My first trail magic experience was on day two at woody gap. King Tutt and J Griff of Nudge Ministries were set up with fresh coffee,  towels,  home knit hats,  candy,  snacks,  and icy hot with chairs.  These guys were amazing.  Gave tips on the next parts of the trail and talked with me for a good 20 minutes.  These two really made me feel welcome on the AT.  King Tutt,  the leader of Nudge Ministries,  mentioned his pamphlets on Jesus,  but left it at that.  This floored me.  No one snuck books in my pack or pushed bibles in my face.  “This is the biggest offense to thru hikers,  because it’s extra weight”.  Tutt,  couldn’t have been more correct.  These guys are examples of how church groups should recruit new members,  no pushing,  nudging. Dedicated to missions work in Ghana,  I feel I’d support them no matter what.  I hope everyone can run into these folks,  they truly are a treat for the weary traveler.

Trail magic 2.0

Yestetsay, I ran I to my second bit of trail magic.  Former thru hikers abound,  toted beers and every snack imaginable.  8:30am one beer down,  a young couple took us into the Alpine Town, Helen.  Modeled after German villages,  all buildings here are quaint and a tad bit creepy.  Reminiscent of the town from House of Wax,  when empty,  we got our coffee and got out. Food here is expensive but the people are amazing!

 

We’ll folks,  I’m tuning out to eat some rocking lasagna home cooked by someone named stopher. Image above is brought to you by the Blue Mountain Shelter at dawn.

See yall in Maine.