Challenges, Perspective and Helpers

We knew from the very beginning that this adventure would be full of challenges: mental, physical, and weather-related. But I think we underestimated the frequency or considered other uncontrollable external circumstances. At this point in time, we have dealt with more rain than we could have ever imagined, injuries, wildlife encounters, a hurricane, malfunctioning and stolen gear, trail obstacles, and now family needs.

With each setback we have adjusted our schedule accordingly, understanding that this may affect our ability to complete the entire trail in the time we have allotted. But we have to keep it in perspective and realize that life goes on with or without this adventure. Others are dealing with far worse than we are.

Through it all we have benefited from the support of friends, family, and complete strangers. We could not have possibly made the 700+ miles of our journey so far without them. And there is no way we could ever thank them properly. This is our feeble attempt to begin to do so by simply acknowledging them all in one place. 

Bonnie

Hal

My mom

Tara

Kids in New Bern

Rob & Donna

Anne Marie & Chris

Mary (aka Angel)

Chad

Dave

Alex

Jim

Special Guest Appearance

Today we had the pleasure of hiking with Jim Grode, one of the great staff members of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Jim’s knowledge about everything from mushrooms to birds to wildflowers is quite astounding, as was this section of the trail! And a highlight of the day was spotting a Kirtland’s Warbler, a very rare bird that has been hanging out in the area for a few days. 

Segment 2. Done.

Over the past 8 days we have hiked 100 miles on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail including finishing up Segment 2 today. And Jeff captured the experience better than these photos in his sketches: https://rezelimst.blogspot.com/2018/09/asheville-area-sketches.html?m=1

Enjoy!

It’s Baaaack

So we nearly made it a whole week in the mountains with no rain on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. But it caught up to us yesterday during the final hours of our 17-mile hike from Pisgah Inn down to Asheville. Now it’s back with vengeance...

 

Nearly Full Moon

A very brief glimpse of the nearly full moon last night from the balcony of our room at the Pisgah Inn. Now back into the woods we go...

Asheville area sketches

We have spent the last week among the most remote and most scenic places in North Carolina.

Pisgahhhh

We have been living under a moss covered rock in Pisgah National Forest for several days with little contact with the outside world. We hope that the flooding in Eastern NC is subsiding and not as bad as forecast when we returned to the mountains. When the hurricane exited NC it took every scrap of moisure with it. Now we at this end of the state have been enjoying perfect weather, with little threat of rain, although we have been engulfed in clouds and mist at some of the higher elevations.

Amazing morning over the Blue Ridge mountains

An unforgettable heath bald

There is a reason Western NC has been the backdrop for films that want to capture pristine natural beauty. The remote areas we have been hiking through in Pisgah National Forest have been the setting for films such as Last of the Mohicans and The Hunger Games.

Moss covered rocks on one of the many challenging parts of the trail

And another challenge...

While we are often hiking in a dense tunnel of rhododendron or mountain laurel, we are also rewarded with amazing ridgeline views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. On Friday we successfully navigated the Middle Prong Wilderness Area and completed what is considered the toughest 2 miles on a trail that measures 1175 miles. Just finding level ground to camp has been a daily challenge and the trails have delivered on their promise to be both steep and rugged. Saturday included a visit to Skinny Dip Falls (a bit crowded to actually partake) and views of Looking Glass Rock. 

Skinny Dip Falls

Looking Glass Rock

Radio Silent

Today we begin a three-night backpack through the Middle Prong Wilderness. We’ll likely be radio silent for that time period.

 

Craggy Gardens

Compared to yesterday’s relatively flat hike, today’s 16-mile 3,000 feet descent from Craggy Gardens to Asheville was tough. But it was also beautiful and we had guest appearances by our friend Alex and a tiny red salamander.

The Adventure Continues

And our adventure continues finally with a day hike to assess the condition of the trail around Asheville after the hurricane. So far, so good...

The hurricane-swollen French Broad

Hurricane Florence

Having walked, biked, or paddled across much of North Carolina over the last 45 days, it deeply saddens me to see the damage that continues from Hurricane Florence. While this has certainly stalled the progress of our adventure, it is affecting others in larger and lasting ways. But I know we will all overcome this setback. #NCstrong