My Journey Is My Destination...Day 158

Day 158 20.7 miles

Campsite at 2,066.5 miles traveled

Very slow to start today. I finally got going around 10 a.m. 'Greenflash' and I hiked a steady, fast pace all day. We came across another cool tower, Wayah Bald at 5,342 feet. We again hiked into the dark without headlamps. It has become a game we play for entertainment in the evening. It’s good to have someone to hike with. I’m feeling better in my head these days.

Day 159 .9 miles

Budget Inn, Franklin, NC

We woke up to pouring rain. I ate little for dinner last night in plans for going to Shoney’s for another breakfast buffet. It’s the first time we’ve packed in the rain, but food was calling. We hitched a ride from an ole’ hillbilly. He owned a gem mine his father had owned in the 1940’s.

He pulled his rifle over to his lap to give 'Greenflash' room to sit. I rode in the back under the truck's camper top. I'm happy for 'Greenflash' to experience people I’ve grown up with all of my life. Mountain people are normal to me, but are way out there for 'Greenflash.'

We filled up with a carefree breakfast. By the end of breakfast I had decided to get a motel room, one last "hoo-rah" before the end.

We stopped by the grocery and picked up food, including six pounds of bananas. Hey, they were only $1.50. I finally got some eggnog. I questioned myself about that. It tells me I’ve been out here a long time. We spent the rest of the rainy day eating and watching a flickering box of light, the TV.

Day 160 9.7 miles

Albert Mtn., Nantahala National Forest

We were supposed to be picked up by the owner of the motel for a ride back to the trail at 9 a.m., but he didn ’t show up till 11:30. That was ok with us! We finished all but a pound of the bananas, no leg cramps for us with all that potassium! We strolled easily all day. We got to the Albert Mtn. fire tower. It was locked. Oh well, so we camped below it. From this spot we have less than 100 miles left. That’s a scary, victorious feeling. I’m becoming more excited as the countdown starts. For now though, I’m still happy to be in the woods.

Day 161 21.5 miles

Bly Gap

Today I hike for Harold “Doc” Whittimore, my little league baseball coach. He taught me life lessons and team work. I loved playing for him. He knows children. He is kind and caring. He is good people.

We woke to a warm already risen sun. The hiking was easy today and the more I think about it, the hiking just happens. I never think about it anymore. The land is becoming increasingly more scarred by the droves of NOBO’s who start in the spring.

'Greenflash' gave me a gift today. Another hiker in the north had given him some currency from India (10 Rupees) for saying, “it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey”. She told him it was “Ghandi like,” and "for him to give it to someone else who said something Ghandi like." When Greenflash heard me say, “My Journey is My Destination,” he knew I was the one to give it to. That meant a lot to me.

Right now, I’m camping .2 miles short of the GA border. I have finally gotten my head around the reality of finishing. It’s finally happening.

Day 162 8.8 miles

A church parking lot, Hiawassee, GA

I slept well last night next to the “Ole gnarled Oak.” We crossed into GA., my 14th and final state. I have a great sense of accomplishment. We had this idea of eating one more buffet in Hiawassee, GA. Why not? We hitched a ride to town and ate our fill. By the time we went to the grocery store it was dark.

Any hiker knows the chances of hitching a ride after dark are almost impossible. We tried anyway with no luck. We went back to the front of the Ingles store. I played my harmonica and held a sign reading, "Ride to A.T., Please,” while 'Greenflash' juggled limes. Someone complained, so the second in command at the store sheepishly ran us off.

We even tried going back to the buffet to ask the friendly waitress for a ride with no luck. It looks like we are stuck in Hiawassee, GA. Neither of us wanted to spend money for a motel room, so we started looking for a place in town to camp. We found a place in the back of a church parking lot between two church vans. It was covered, and flat. It was a good night I never saw coming. more>>