Ron and Kelly's 2007 AT thruhike: March 2007

Cowmountain

Photo of Kelly with Brent in the background from Cowmountain when we realized we over shot our campground by .5 miles. Rob had already set up camp but decided to backtrack with us to Baggs Gap Creek.

Kel and I had a great day today. Our longest day came in at 14.4 miles. We spent the night at Baggs Creek Gap. Funny thing is we overshot it yesterday,by half a mile after leaving Neels Gap and the Walasi-Yi (Kel will go into further detail). We had our first fire on this trip. What a great way to cheer everyone up before bed time. Our camp mates were Rob from Arizona and Brent from Greenville SC.

The next morning we cranked out some seven or so miles before lunch and had us some tastey Cliff bars and Combos. The second half of the day was a little more trying for me. My knees feel stronger than ever but my feet became tired really fast. I think I might have my boots on too tight for fear of blisters. By the end of the day I was happy to kick the boots off start a fire and ate some pasta primavera.

We're expecting rain tonight. As a matter of fact the drops are starting to come. So we will see how good our rain skills are.

One last note. Kelly has been a tremendous partner through our first five days and 57.9 miles.

One more post scripty. Thank you to all who are reading this blog and those who've posted thus far. We really enjoy reading them and it's great encouragement for us.

Love,
Ron
Happy Trails

Who would have thought?

We're on day 5 and learning so much while having a blast. Ron is a stellar hiking partner, and we've become an efficient team. He hunts while I'm the gatherer. Just kidding. Really, though, we usually pitch the tent together. When one person cooks, the other cleans the pot. I usually filter the water, and Ron hangs the food bags. It fell into place like this and is fun.

Here are some of our surprises thus far from the trail:

Who knew that our food bag would rip during our first night out not from a mouse, but from having a cable from the bear line blow into it during the night?

Who knew that Ron could re-inforce a seam on his pack by sewing it with dental floss?

Who knew that our first patch job on the tent would be where an inch worm got stuck while the tent was packed up and then the poor critter tried to eat his way out?

Who knew that I wouldn't be completely bummed that UNC is no longer in the tournament? It's because now I won't feel like I'm missing anything this weekend during Final Four.

Who knew it would be rewarding to walk to Walasi-Yi and buy our first re-supply goods? It was also a blast talking with hikers while taking turns to use the shower and washing machine.

Who knew that the source of the Chattahoochee River, which supplies drinking water to half of GA's population, starts as a spring right off the trail?

Who knew that my new favorite plant would become decumbent trillium? (Looked it up in a field guide at Walasi-Yi. We'll try to post a picture some time.)

Who knew that we could update a blog from the top of Blue Mountain on a foggy night?

So these are some items that amused us. The hiking is wonderful. So far, I feel healthy and fresh. No blisters or sore muscles...yet.

Thanks so much for keeping up with our journey and for all of your kind words of encouragement. It really motivates us. You're all in our thoughts and prayers while we're out walking and camping.

This picture is from the top of Blood Mtn yesterday morning. It's the highest point on the Georgia portion of the trail. We had a great view and saw a bunny up there too.

From the top of the mountain

From Ron:
Cheers everyone! Day three here. Kel and I made some good miles today, around 13. And we really enjoyed the beautiful weather and scenery. I think GA has really impressed us with its mountains and its towns, such as Dahlonega.

Many thanks to Mom and Dad Gaulden for all of your support and caring for our stuff. And the same must be said to Mom and Dad Cirincione as well as for Ei for driving us down here and sending us off in style!

From Kel:
We have been blessed with three beautiful days to start us off. It was 83 degrees on top of Springer on day one. Crazy Horse, a past five-time thru hiker who camped with us last night, told us it was 21 degrees this time last year!

We have met wonderful people and tent camped each night so far. Tomorrow we reach our first trail town and get to eat ice cream sodas!

We love and miss you, family and friends. Happy birthday, Mom!
Happy Trails

we're stil alive

And wishing for some cold cream soda! One more day till our next resupply. We've met so many great people. We'll update more. Gotta hike 8 more miles before dark.
Happy Trails

Leaving Charlotte

We're off to Greensboro for a few days, and we'll start hiking at Springer Mountain, Georgia, this weekend.

Our next post will most likely be from the trail. (Or from the car on the way to the trail-Ron's very excited about posting from his phone!)

Love to you all!

School Visit Shakedown

On Monday, Ron and I went to my old school to visit our future AT pen pals. Cheri, the teacher who is now in my previous classroom, is absolutely amazing. She has guided her kids in comparing our AT journey to The Odyssey, which the students read in the fall. They created a giant mural that parallels the journey of Odysseus to ours! We were truly honored and amazed to learn how they analyzed the epic and then predicted aspects of our adventure. (The AT portion of the mural had a lot of pictures of snakes and bears that were a little scary!)

The visit was a follow-up for me but a first for Ron. We took turns answering questions and then showing the students our gear. They had wonderful questions about how we would obtain clean water, what we would do in trail towns, and even, "Which do you think is prettier: an animal in the summertime woods or an animal who is nestled in the winter snow?" Wow!

We thank Mrs. Williams and her sixth grade classes for their warm welcome and their great questions. We can't wait to write to you from the mountaintops!

Going Away Party in Charlotte

On Saturday, we had such a great time catching up with our friends before we leave town next week. We celebrated St. Patty's style at The Dilworth Neighborhood Grill. Then, we went to Bryan's new house to continue the celebration. Brie and I were happy to watch our Heels defeat Michigan State!

Thanks so much to everyone for coming out. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers, and you're welcome to come meet us for a weekend on the trail any time!

Bryan, we truly appreciate your generousity for welcoming us all into your beautiful home and for providing the delicious food and drink. You left us with such a happy memory before we head out into the woods!

Courtney and Jason

The Girls

Ron says, "Yo! Yo!"

Becca and The Leprechaun

Thomas, Ai Lin, Brian, and Tammy

Jaquin, Patrique, Chris, Jason, Kai'fia, Courtney, and Kelly

Ron, Hidden Actor from La Bamba, Bryan, Nathan, Ted Steel, Curtis, Lisa

Kelly, Ron, and Lisa Bobisa

Sara and Cary
(Have a great wedding day on July 21st!)

Kim, Will, and Nicole

Bernardo and Nicole

Kelly and Joe Diamond Phillips

A Hiker's Prayer

Father,
Thank you for letting me enjoy Your beautiful creation.
Help me to protect Your land and water and all the life forms that reside in it.

When I am hungry and cold, help me to remember my brothers and sisters who experience these hardships every day of their lives. Guide me in reaching out to them in thought and deed.

Please bless my family and friends back home. May they be happy and safe.

Thank you for the adventures of this new day. Help me to learn, laugh, and love.

In Your name,

Amen

These words formed in my mind while I was running this morning. I thought I could write them in our guide book and start each day on the trail in this perspective.

-KCG

packing the goods

Kelly and I will only have 5 mail drops. Kelly is packing our largest drop which contains summer clothes and our second set of boots.

We are really getting close to trail time. For the last week we have been sleeping on our sleeping pads and finally we are used to them. Only two more days of work left for the both of us!
Happy Trails

Another mobile post this time using a blogging program instead of using my email.

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

Farewell Party in Greensboro

On February 24th (exactly one month before we start walking at Springer Mountain) my parents hosted a going-away party for Ron and me. It was wonderful seeing family and friends before we head out.