My Journey Is My Destination...Day 163

Day 163 25.5 miles

Low Gap Shelter, GA

Today I hike for Ellen Ferguson a reader of the News & Neighbor. She is 86 and "walking with me." She has sent me messages of hope and has helped me continue down the trail when times were hard. She exemplifies the reason why I chose to submit my journal to the News & Neighbor.

I slept well considering sleeping in a parking lot. After a trip to Hardee’s where I introduced 'Greenflash' to a sausage biscuit with grape jelly, we hitched out of town, almost. The ride we got was not going to the right place on the trail. We were skipping about 9 miles. They asked us, “It’s the same thing, right?” We looked at the driver with a dumbfounded look on our face. So we were back to hitching, out in the middle of nowhere this time. We finally made it back to the trail and the right spot. We had only hiked about 11 miles by dark. I watched the sunset while 'Greenflash' played his tribal flute. I lived in the moment, while sad for the future. We hiked on into the night. After 25 miles we were tired. We thought of hiking another 10 miles, but as it was 12:30 a.m. we called it a night.

Day 164 10.4mi

Neel’s Gap, Mountain Crossing’s Outfitter.

We were slow to start this morning. We found a nice spot in the sun and enjoyed a nap. We got to the outfitter at Neel’s Gap where 'Princess Brat' was working at the register. There were big hugs and loud screams when she saw me. 'Alpine' even hugged me. They both work at Mountain Crossing’s. Their home address is on the A.T. It was so good to see them both again. I feel like I’ve known them for years.

'Princess' told us about a southbound hiker party that night back in Franklin, NC hosted by the fellow who owns the Budget Inn. We rode to Franklin that evening. There were SOBO’s attending from years past. There were twelve SOBO’s who are hiking this year, the most I’ve ever been around. 'Johnny Appleseed,' 'Puck, and 'Cat', whom I haven’t seen since Waynesboro, VA., were there, also many whom I’d never seen. We had a great time being together, swapping stories. It was truly a gift for the end of my thru hike.

Day 165 0 miles

Neels Gap, Gerogia

We sat around in 'Alpine' and 'Princess Brat’s' apartment for most of the day. In the back of my mind I knew it would be a while before I would see 'Greenflash' again. They made dinner for us, which was a treat. About 11 p.m. 'Greenflash' hiked out into the wind and rain. It was very sad for me to see him go. He came at the loneliest time in my trip. I will miss him. He is a good friend, he is good people. He taught me a lot about living and life.

Day 166 12.0 miles

Ramrock Mtn. 3,200 feet

I stayed at Neels Gap until 3 p.m. These last miles are becoming more arduous. I said goodbye to 'Sugar' earlier in the day, he had hiked in last night. I said goodbye to 'Alpine' and 'Princess Brat, then hiked into the evening. I found a good place for a tent and set it up one last time. I fell asleep before I ate dinner. I slept 14 hours. Not sure how I did that.

Day 167 18.3 miles

Springer Mountain Shelter, Georgia

Today I hike for Me. I set out on this journey with hopes, dreams, and ideas. I made this trip happen for me because it was something I wanted and needed in my life. I made this trip mine, I live with no regrets. My foresight of my life allowed me to know this journey had to happen, and now it has.

I walked today unable to see the trail in front of me for the memories. I thought mostly of myself and how naïve, uncertain, and hopeful I was. I stopped at all the shelters I passed by, reading the last words in the registers of my 'Southbound' family. I am not super happy about finishing, but not sad. I don’t think I, or my Brothers and Sisters, realize what we have accomplished. Because, now for us, hiking is normal everyday life.

I stopped at some beautiful closing views of Georgia. I walked again into sunset on my last full day of my journey. I am content with finishing. I am ready. I have missed my family and am ready to be at home with them.