In order to get over Jacob's Ladder before I knew what had hit me, I rose at 4:30am and was on the trail by 5:00am. I donned my headlamp and hiked my first two hours in the dark. It was fantastic. Jacob's Ladder kicked my butt (predictably), but as my range of vision was limited … Continue reading Days 14-15: Jacob’s Ladder, NC to Fontana Village, gateway to the Smoky Mountain National Park

I entered Franklin on my 10th day of hiking & departed 4 days later, after spending 3 days at the Macon County Public Library reading over the first round of proofs for the McCarthy edited collection. The lovely people there gave me free use of their computers for the duration of my stay. And I … Continue reading Days 11-13: Franklin to Stecoah Gap, NC