He's in the homestretch! This post by Dad, since Sam has not had internet accress in awhile. The last 5 days he has covered 131 miles, which includes a short day of 16 miles for a visit to Gatlinburg and friends. Jeff and Gary drove up on Friday and met Sam at Newfound Gap. They went to Gatlinburg and ate, then from what I gather Jeff and Gary must have watched Sam eat and then eat again. They slept on the front porch of an outfitter in Gatlinburg, and Saturday went to Pidgeon Forge to watch Julie start a Triathalon. Shortly after the race began, Nathan Berger met Sam and they went back to Newfound Gap. Nathan was going to do an out and back day hike, but Sam talked him into hiking up to Clingsman Dome. At Clingsman, Sam showed Nathan the art of yogying a ride back to his car at Newfound Gap. The break and opportunity to see friends was a blessing. And yes, as Nathan gets older he gets even more like his dad!
The color has been amazing, with lots of reds and oranges from the trees. There has been some rain, and the trail gets a little slick from the wet leaves.
Current location is Nantahala Outdoor Center, 135 miles from Springer Mountain.Over 2000 miles down, and the end is in sight. Well, almost. The plan is for Sheila and I to meet him at Springer Mountain on Sunday for the trip home. I'm not sure if he will fit in the trunk, we'll definately have to find a shower somewhere. I don't know if Sam will have an opportunity to post on the trail again, but he will definitely post again to share his experiences on the last leg.
Sam, Sheila and I really appreciate the interest and support you all have shown in this life experience of his, it has enhanced the experience for all of us.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Blue Ridge Mountains
Hey everyone! I'm in Hot Springs, NC after 4 days of hiking from Greasy Creek Gap. The views have been great since then, and the trail great as well. The peak color change has come and gone I think, and now the forest floor is covered in leaves. Sometimes it's a little hard to see the trail with so many leaves on the ground. I'm enjoying the change of seasons though! You can see through the trees more and more each day to the surrounding ridge lines. I snapped a great picture yesterday of the ridges; one of those classic blue ridge mountain shots where there are 7 or 8 ridges that fade away into the sky. There have been a lot of fantastic views like that lately. One of my favorite times to hike is around dusk. The mountains look much more dramatic in color as the sun sets.
There are parts of the trail through Tennessee and North Carolina that are bald. They are awesome mountain tops with no trees; not above treeline, but just a mountaintop without anything on it but a big grassy meadow. The part of the trail I am hiking now is where most of them are. Sunday I hiked out of Uncle Johnny's Hostel at the Nolichucky River near Erwin. The hike was mostly uphill for 16 miles that day. It was a cruddy way to start the day, and at the time all I could think about was being done. Well, 16 miles later I summitted 'Big Bald.' The view was incredible; 360 degrees of mountains in every direction! AND guess who else was up there...the Griswolds! It was so nice to see them again! I'd heard they were in front of me, and had been looking for them all that day. It was a big lift for the spirits to have great company again. I've been hiking with Dan and Summer and their dog Otis since then!
Yesterday we hit some unreal trail magic! At Allen Gap, we saw a sign that read "Trail Magic: Belgian Waffles, Piccola, Beef Stew, Chili, Ice Cream. From 8A to 6P 10/18 & 10/19." Dan and I looked at each other in amazement. It was one of those things that is too good to be true. What are the odds that it would be this day? So, we followed the directions to this house 300 yards down the highway, and found the place. It was a super nice log cabin with a super nice couple that had thru-hiked in 1999. They lived in Missouri, but missed the trail so much after hiking it that they had to move closer! Now they do trail magic for hikers all the time. We had root beer floats, waffles, a Cuban rice dish and a banana split! It was too good for words! I just happened to be short on food that day as well. Wow!
I'm trying to think of what else. After staying at Greasy Creek Hostel, I got to see Bo on Saturday! It was awesome to see another friend on the trail. Thanks for coming up dude! My merino wool hiking shirt looks like it went through a shredder; something I'm pretty proud of. It is super nice to have new socks; I got them in Damascus. The end is really close, and I'm getting pretty anxious! It is 271.8 miles from Hot Springs, and I have hiked 1907.3 miles total. I will enter the Great Smokey Mountain National Park tomorrow, and pass over Max Patch as well! I have food for 3 days, and the only place to resupply is in Gatlinburg (15m off the trail). I'll be in Gatlinburg (or trying to hitch in) late Friday afternoon or early Saturday, so hit me up all you Knoxville folk if you want to do something in the Mountains this weekend! I ought to have good cell coverage on the ridge line the next few days. I'll make sure to check it. Thank yall so much for following! I look forward to seeing you soon!
-The Kid
There are parts of the trail through Tennessee and North Carolina that are bald. They are awesome mountain tops with no trees; not above treeline, but just a mountaintop without anything on it but a big grassy meadow. The part of the trail I am hiking now is where most of them are. Sunday I hiked out of Uncle Johnny's Hostel at the Nolichucky River near Erwin. The hike was mostly uphill for 16 miles that day. It was a cruddy way to start the day, and at the time all I could think about was being done. Well, 16 miles later I summitted 'Big Bald.' The view was incredible; 360 degrees of mountains in every direction! AND guess who else was up there...the Griswolds! It was so nice to see them again! I'd heard they were in front of me, and had been looking for them all that day. It was a big lift for the spirits to have great company again. I've been hiking with Dan and Summer and their dog Otis since then!
Yesterday we hit some unreal trail magic! At Allen Gap, we saw a sign that read "Trail Magic: Belgian Waffles, Piccola, Beef Stew, Chili, Ice Cream. From 8A to 6P 10/18 & 10/19." Dan and I looked at each other in amazement. It was one of those things that is too good to be true. What are the odds that it would be this day? So, we followed the directions to this house 300 yards down the highway, and found the place. It was a super nice log cabin with a super nice couple that had thru-hiked in 1999. They lived in Missouri, but missed the trail so much after hiking it that they had to move closer! Now they do trail magic for hikers all the time. We had root beer floats, waffles, a Cuban rice dish and a banana split! It was too good for words! I just happened to be short on food that day as well. Wow!
I'm trying to think of what else. After staying at Greasy Creek Hostel, I got to see Bo on Saturday! It was awesome to see another friend on the trail. Thanks for coming up dude! My merino wool hiking shirt looks like it went through a shredder; something I'm pretty proud of. It is super nice to have new socks; I got them in Damascus. The end is really close, and I'm getting pretty anxious! It is 271.8 miles from Hot Springs, and I have hiked 1907.3 miles total. I will enter the Great Smokey Mountain National Park tomorrow, and pass over Max Patch as well! I have food for 3 days, and the only place to resupply is in Gatlinburg (15m off the trail). I'll be in Gatlinburg (or trying to hitch in) late Friday afternoon or early Saturday, so hit me up all you Knoxville folk if you want to do something in the Mountains this weekend! I ought to have good cell coverage on the ridge line the next few days. I'll make sure to check it. Thank yall so much for following! I look forward to seeing you soon!
-The Kid
Friday, October 15, 2010
Greasy Creek Friendly
Hey yall! I am at Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel near Erwin, Tennessee. The last few days have been great! I've been on the trail for 4 days now, and am cranking out the miles. I'm trying to get done by Halloween, but a few days later is o.k. too. The fall colors have been beautiful! The forest reminds me of fruity pebbles right now. It is especially pretty when it rains. Yesterday it rained for a few hours in the morning, and the water is flowing now!! Today I drank some water from a spring on the top of Roan; the best water I've ever tasted!
Today I hiked the Roan Highlands. Man was it windy!!! Dad & Mr. Bean, it was darn close to the wind in NH. The wind nearly blew me over, and gave me wind burn. The views were amazing though! I'm pretty disappointed that we never went up there, being so close to Knoxville. Anyway, it is an amazing place. I'd recommend it highly to anyone looking for a hike near there that hasn't been before.
I also received a box with cold weather gear today! Thank goodness! It was 28 degrees when I woke up this morning, and I could see my breath as I was hiking today too. Also, I have to brag about how much my friend and I ate the other night. I had 2 roast beef and cheddars, a large fry, 3 slices of pizza and a pint of ice cream. My buddy "Mud" had a #7 from Arby's and an entire meatlovers pizza! It's truely amazing how much we can put away, and I still feel like I'm losing weight.
Thanks again so much for following. I'm using dial-up to make this post! I laughed so hard when it was dialing; haven't heard that in a while. Hope yall are doing awesome!
The Kid
Today I hiked the Roan Highlands. Man was it windy!!! Dad & Mr. Bean, it was darn close to the wind in NH. The wind nearly blew me over, and gave me wind burn. The views were amazing though! I'm pretty disappointed that we never went up there, being so close to Knoxville. Anyway, it is an amazing place. I'd recommend it highly to anyone looking for a hike near there that hasn't been before.
I also received a box with cold weather gear today! Thank goodness! It was 28 degrees when I woke up this morning, and I could see my breath as I was hiking today too. Also, I have to brag about how much my friend and I ate the other night. I had 2 roast beef and cheddars, a large fry, 3 slices of pizza and a pint of ice cream. My buddy "Mud" had a #7 from Arby's and an entire meatlovers pizza! It's truely amazing how much we can put away, and I still feel like I'm losing weight.
Thanks again so much for following. I'm using dial-up to make this post! I laughed so hard when it was dialing; haven't heard that in a while. Hope yall are doing awesome!
The Kid
Monday, October 11, 2010
On the Trail Again
Hey Everybody! I made it to Knoxville last night, and am being dropped off tonight in Damascus, Virginia. Tomorrow I will start hiking towards Springer Mountain again!! Woohoo! It has been suprisingly easy once again, to get back to the trail. I have had a great time off, and thanks SO much to the Maxey's, my relatives out in Denver, for an awesome visit and help with everything during my time there!! Can't wait to see yall again in a month!
It is 460 miles until Springer Mountain in Georgia; Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail. I have a lot of drive now, being so close. I'm pretty ready to get done, but am also so grateful and excited to be able to finish! Thanks to all who are following! Until next post!
The Kid
It is 460 miles until Springer Mountain in Georgia; Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail. I have a lot of drive now, being so close. I'm pretty ready to get done, but am also so grateful and excited to be able to finish! Thanks to all who are following! Until next post!
The Kid
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Southbound
Beautiful trail on a beautiful day in Shenandoah National Park
Deer in Shenandoah National Park
Antspants and I
Apple tree in Northern Virginia
Sunset from The Priest
McAfee Knob
Old Orchard Shelter; just North of Grayson Highlands
A picture of the mountains just before Damascus, Virginia.
The Wild West
Hello everyone! I apologize for not posting for 6 days; it has been a crazy week. I left off last post by talking about a phone interview that I was preparing for while in Damascus, Virginia. After interviewing on the phone, I was invited to visit the office in Wyoming for an in-person interview! So, I started arranging the trip out west immediately. The last hiking I did was Sunday morning into Damascus. Since then I've been travelling, and interviewing for this job. I actually had a pretty easy time getting off the trail for the interview thanks to the kindness of some friends and family! Staying with Mrs. Crabtree's relatives was great, Ethan picked me up and brought me to Knoxville that day, Paul picked me up Tuesday, and I drove his car to Nashville. Then, I flew to Denver Wednesday morning, and have been staying here since. All in all I had an easy time getting here, considering I went from Damascus to Denver in two days with no notice. Thanks so much to everyone who helped with that! (I just proofread this post, and realized that it is kind of a long story. So, if you don't want to read it all just skip the next couple paragraphs.)
The job that I interviewed for was one that I applied to on my break between hikes. During the break I applied to 15 different positions, most in Tennessee, but 1 in Wyoming. Out of all the 15 that I applied for, the position in Wyoming was the one that I did not expect to hear back from. That was pretty much the dream job for me coming out of college; statistics in the west. I didn't meet their minimum qualifications, but I threw my resume and application in anyway because you never know what can happen. From those 15 applications I only heard back from 2; a financial position in Nashville, which I never had a chance to interview before it was filled, and Wyoming, whom I heard back from in Waynesboro after hiking for a week. The human resources department of Wyoming wanted me to piece together any experience I had to qualify for the job. They needed 1 year experience. As most of yall know, I have done some things professionally, but have spent all my summers working for the Boy Scouts. They wanted job related experience. Well, I put together what I had, not really expecting anything to come out of it, but hoping for the best.
10 days later I received a voicemail asking for a phone interview; that was when I updated the blog in Pearisburg, VA. Those next few days were spent trying to get in touch with the Board in Wyoming, and trying to prepare for the interview. I spent hours mulling over my answers to all the common interview questions while hiking those next few days. I don't think there could have been any better place for me to prepare than in the woods!
I had the in person interview in Cheyenne, Wyoming on Thursday morning. I drove up from Denver, a 2 hour drive, and had a couple hours to walk around Cheyenne before interviewing. That was really great because I got to know the city a little, and chill out before hand. It lasted for 1 hour and 30 minutes, and I told people afterwards that it went "very good." I didn't want to get my hopes up even though I felt it was one of the best in person interviews I've ever done. They would let me know the next day, Friday (yesterday). All Friday morning I was uneasy. I jumped every time my phone went off, and constantly checked my email. I went hiking to get out of the house, and get my mind off of it. Plus, it would be a shame if I came to the Rocky Mountains without hiking at all! I hit some really nice trails around I-70, and had great views of the higher peaks which had gotten their first snowfall of the year the previous day.
The Board called me when I was driving back into Denver. I GOT THE JOB AND (if bigger letters were possible here they would be bigger) I GET TO FINISH THE TRAIL! I'm not even going to begin to explain how I felt at that time. I've done so many applications, sent out SO many resumes and had so many interviews without success. It just seemed too good to be true that I would land this job. I really want to do statistics, and I really want to live in this outdoor playground and I really want to finish the trail too. Now I get to do all three. It really has yet to sink in, and all seems very surreal still. In a nutshell, the job is doing statistical analysis for the Board of Equalization in the State of Wyoming. I will be making sure that each of the 23 County Assessors are in compliance with the regulations set by the state in regards to the valuation of property and the assessed property tax.
I went back up to Cheyenne yesterday to fill out some paperwork, and meet the rest of the office. I also found a place to live! Before I left to hike, I researched and had information on 7 properties. Then when I was called up, I arranged appointments to go view them all while driving to fill out paperwork. The place I'll be living is great, and only 1 block from where I'll work; literally a 2 minutes walking.
That was a really long story. It hasn't sunk in completely for me yet. I'm so grateful for the good fortune I've had. I know that God's hand is all over it. And I really can't thank yall enough for the amount of support that you have given me!
Next up will be finishing the A.T. My start date for the job is Novemeber 15th. (I'm going to have to be quick.) I'm estimating that I have 25ish more days of hiking remaining. It is 460 miles to Springer Mountain from Damascus, Virginia. At the rate I was going it would take me as little as 18 days though. The elevation changes get more intense as I step into Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. I'm looking forward to getting back on the trail. It is something that I have definitely missed much since leaving a week ago! The offer is always up for those of you who want to come visit, however I am more limited on time now. I very much look forward to talking and visiting everyone back home! Thanks SO MUCH for following and being interested and supporting me! I have some pictures that I'm going to post now. Hope you are having a fantastic fall!!
The Kid
The job that I interviewed for was one that I applied to on my break between hikes. During the break I applied to 15 different positions, most in Tennessee, but 1 in Wyoming. Out of all the 15 that I applied for, the position in Wyoming was the one that I did not expect to hear back from. That was pretty much the dream job for me coming out of college; statistics in the west. I didn't meet their minimum qualifications, but I threw my resume and application in anyway because you never know what can happen. From those 15 applications I only heard back from 2; a financial position in Nashville, which I never had a chance to interview before it was filled, and Wyoming, whom I heard back from in Waynesboro after hiking for a week. The human resources department of Wyoming wanted me to piece together any experience I had to qualify for the job. They needed 1 year experience. As most of yall know, I have done some things professionally, but have spent all my summers working for the Boy Scouts. They wanted job related experience. Well, I put together what I had, not really expecting anything to come out of it, but hoping for the best.
10 days later I received a voicemail asking for a phone interview; that was when I updated the blog in Pearisburg, VA. Those next few days were spent trying to get in touch with the Board in Wyoming, and trying to prepare for the interview. I spent hours mulling over my answers to all the common interview questions while hiking those next few days. I don't think there could have been any better place for me to prepare than in the woods!
I had the in person interview in Cheyenne, Wyoming on Thursday morning. I drove up from Denver, a 2 hour drive, and had a couple hours to walk around Cheyenne before interviewing. That was really great because I got to know the city a little, and chill out before hand. It lasted for 1 hour and 30 minutes, and I told people afterwards that it went "very good." I didn't want to get my hopes up even though I felt it was one of the best in person interviews I've ever done. They would let me know the next day, Friday (yesterday). All Friday morning I was uneasy. I jumped every time my phone went off, and constantly checked my email. I went hiking to get out of the house, and get my mind off of it. Plus, it would be a shame if I came to the Rocky Mountains without hiking at all! I hit some really nice trails around I-70, and had great views of the higher peaks which had gotten their first snowfall of the year the previous day.
The Board called me when I was driving back into Denver. I GOT THE JOB AND (if bigger letters were possible here they would be bigger) I GET TO FINISH THE TRAIL! I'm not even going to begin to explain how I felt at that time. I've done so many applications, sent out SO many resumes and had so many interviews without success. It just seemed too good to be true that I would land this job. I really want to do statistics, and I really want to live in this outdoor playground and I really want to finish the trail too. Now I get to do all three. It really has yet to sink in, and all seems very surreal still. In a nutshell, the job is doing statistical analysis for the Board of Equalization in the State of Wyoming. I will be making sure that each of the 23 County Assessors are in compliance with the regulations set by the state in regards to the valuation of property and the assessed property tax.
I went back up to Cheyenne yesterday to fill out some paperwork, and meet the rest of the office. I also found a place to live! Before I left to hike, I researched and had information on 7 properties. Then when I was called up, I arranged appointments to go view them all while driving to fill out paperwork. The place I'll be living is great, and only 1 block from where I'll work; literally a 2 minutes walking.
That was a really long story. It hasn't sunk in completely for me yet. I'm so grateful for the good fortune I've had. I know that God's hand is all over it. And I really can't thank yall enough for the amount of support that you have given me!
Next up will be finishing the A.T. My start date for the job is Novemeber 15th. (I'm going to have to be quick.) I'm estimating that I have 25ish more days of hiking remaining. It is 460 miles to Springer Mountain from Damascus, Virginia. At the rate I was going it would take me as little as 18 days though. The elevation changes get more intense as I step into Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. I'm looking forward to getting back on the trail. It is something that I have definitely missed much since leaving a week ago! The offer is always up for those of you who want to come visit, however I am more limited on time now. I very much look forward to talking and visiting everyone back home! Thanks SO MUCH for following and being interested and supporting me! I have some pictures that I'm going to post now. Hope you are having a fantastic fall!!
The Kid
Sunday, October 3, 2010
The Home Stretch
Hello Everyone! I arrived in Damascus, Virginia this morning. Over the last few days, I have had some great times. I lost Antspants on Tuesday, he is ahead of me now, but have been hiking with 'The Griswolds' for the past few days. They are a young married couple from Ashville, NC and hike with their 5 year old Boxer named Otis. Since leaving Pearisburg on Sunday, we have had 4 days of rain. The socks had a tough time drying, and were never fully dry until I put them in the dryer. The Griswolds and I split a hotel room in Atkins on Thursday night. It was wet, and the room was great!! It is always nice to have a warm, dry place to sleep.
Saturday I hiked through the Grayson Highlands State Park. The highlands are similar to the grasslands of Montana (so they say). I had fantastic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains everywhere. We could also see into parts of Tennessee and North Carolina. I played a joke on some day hikers in the Highlands that was pretty good. Just before rounding a corner, I heard some people and turned around backwards. When I came up on them, I introduced myself as 'Rewind; the first person to thru hike the Appalachian Trail backwards.' They ate it up, and I never let them in on the joke. So if you hear a rumor of someone thru hiking backwards, you'll know who started it.
The last week has been great! Having rain from Sunday to Thursday has gotten the water flowing better. The terrain is still fairly easy, and I'm making good miles. I am currently at a family friend's relative's house (Thanks Mrs. Crabtree!!). I weighed myself here. It felt as though I lost weight, but I didn't think I had lost 14 lbs since September 8Th. I weigh 182 now; haven't weighed that much since high school. The weight loss isn't due to a lack of eating either. Since being in town, I've had Nacho's Grande, 12" Philly Cheese Steak, and a huge plate of spaghetti! Anyways, things are going really well here. I have hiked 1720 miles since starting, and have 460 miles left to go. Hitting the 500 mile mark was a great feeling!
Thank yall so much for following. I'm a little preoccupied tonight, so maybe more stories on a second post tomorrow. I have a phone interview tomorrow morning that I'm trying to prepare for. Thanks again, and I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather!
The Kid
Saturday I hiked through the Grayson Highlands State Park. The highlands are similar to the grasslands of Montana (so they say). I had fantastic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains everywhere. We could also see into parts of Tennessee and North Carolina. I played a joke on some day hikers in the Highlands that was pretty good. Just before rounding a corner, I heard some people and turned around backwards. When I came up on them, I introduced myself as 'Rewind; the first person to thru hike the Appalachian Trail backwards.' They ate it up, and I never let them in on the joke. So if you hear a rumor of someone thru hiking backwards, you'll know who started it.
The last week has been great! Having rain from Sunday to Thursday has gotten the water flowing better. The terrain is still fairly easy, and I'm making good miles. I am currently at a family friend's relative's house (Thanks Mrs. Crabtree!!). I weighed myself here. It felt as though I lost weight, but I didn't think I had lost 14 lbs since September 8Th. I weigh 182 now; haven't weighed that much since high school. The weight loss isn't due to a lack of eating either. Since being in town, I've had Nacho's Grande, 12" Philly Cheese Steak, and a huge plate of spaghetti! Anyways, things are going really well here. I have hiked 1720 miles since starting, and have 460 miles left to go. Hitting the 500 mile mark was a great feeling!
Thank yall so much for following. I'm a little preoccupied tonight, so maybe more stories on a second post tomorrow. I have a phone interview tomorrow morning that I'm trying to prepare for. Thanks again, and I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather!
The Kid
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