On the AT trail.
Beautiful pink dogwood tree.
Tulip tree.

The trail going over the rocky ledge.
Water running down the AT trail.
One of many water falls because of all the rain.

After 2 weeks on the AT

April 20 - At Home

Bill says:

I am home!
I got back home on Monday, April 20, 2009.

After climbing nineteen mountains, crossing numerous gaps, streams and other difficult obstacles, my feet, legs, and hips were screaming. Mostly my feet had gotten to the point where I was walking flat footed because if I stepped wrong or bent my toes just a little off, it would send what felt like a ball of fire through my toes to the ball of my feet area.

I had traveled from Amicalola Falls to Dick's Creek Gap where the Appalachian Trail crosses US Highway 76 for a total of 67 and a half trail miles and a total of 76 miles. These were some of the toughest miles I have ever beeen challanged with in my life.

I am grateful for this experience. I lost 14 pounds, built body strength and had an opportunity of a life time. Some of the scenery was unbelievable in its beauty. Some of the challenges were also unbelievable. All in all, I am glad I attempted this and look forward to possibly attempting more of the trail at some future date.

Emily and Sadie Mae also say, "We are glad Bill is home."

April 18 & 19 - Sassafras Gap-Dicks Creek Gap

April 18 - Spent Saturday night at Sassafras Gap, walked most of the day Sunday in the rain and climbed Kelly Knob with altitude of 4,276' with wet muddy trails with dropoffs on the side of the trail.
April 19 - Sunday night stopped at Dicks Creek Gap and hitchhiked into Hiawassee, Ga. and got a motel for the night.

April 17 - Cheese Factory Site

Cheese Factory Site - but no cheese cake. Someone had once thought they would build a cheese cake factory there but they didn't.

April 16, Blue Mountain Shelter

Bill is at Blue Mountain Shelter but sleeping in his tent to get away from the mice.
The elevation of Blue Mountain is 4,025'
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April 15 - 11th Day on the Trail - Low Gap Shelter

April 15 - Spending the night at Low Gap Shelter but in his tent. Tired of the mice running over him. His friend Barry hiked one day with him and went home.

April 13, 2009

"Bill, wet to the bone." Met his friend Barry at Neels Gap about 4:00 pm today. The power was out at Neels Gap when he got there from the bad weather. Got a motel in Blairsville, Ga. to dry out and dry his clothes.
Last night, Sunday he was in Woody Gap Shelter. They used a cable to lift food bags up into the tree, but a bear climbed up a tree next to it and took Bill's food bag down, (said his was the first one) shredded the bag and ate all his food, about 5-6 days worth, "even his Good & Plenty candy"and then he left. Guess he was full after that. Saw mice in the shelter and nuts in his back pack.

April 11-12, Suches, Ga

Working on Blood Mountain, tough going. Got off trail at Suches, Ga. for last night at a hostel, very windy and cold.

Cooper Gap - April 9 & 10, 2009

Off the trail for 2 nights at Hikers Hostel in Dahlonega.
Waiting out the rain and wind.
Lightened his backpack by 25 pounds, sending package home.

April 10 - Hikers Hostel

Gooch Mountain Shelter - April 9

Horse Gap - stopped for lunch, 60 degrees, morning was 44 degrees.
Planning to spend the night at Gooch Mountain Shelter.

April 8,2009 Hawks Mountain Shelter

Rain and snow, looking to lighten the backpack

Bill in the snow

Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Bad weather, slowing me down a lot.

Good bye and God bless.

Emily and Sadie say Good-bye.

Ga. Mountains

Is he really going to walk all those mountains?

"Happy Trails to you, until we meet again." May God go with you.

Looks like a pretty heavy backpack.

Starting Point

Bill at the starting point, approach to the AT.

Starting Out!!! April 5,2009

Bill started out April 5, in the morning on a beautiful day with the sun shining from Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia. Rain was in the forecast.

Conditioning

Practicing for the trail in W. Va.