It's still Saturday in the U.S. but it's Sunday in Australia, and my internet has been so patchy lately (and by patchy, I mean non-existent), that I thought I would seize this brief window of opportunity to wish my Mum a happy Mother's Day!!! I hope you're having a lovely day. If I have reception … Continue reading Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Miles hiked since Springer Mtn: 531 | Miles left to Katahdin: 1658 After two zeroes in Damascus, I was dragging my feet a little when it came time to hike on. In the end, I strapped on the pack and headed out of town around 10:30, about 2.5 hours later than I would ordinarily hit … Continue reading Days 40-44: Damascus to Marion, VA

Miles hiked since Springer Mtn: 469 | Miles left to Katahdin: 1720 The next day, Alex dropped me back at the trailhead and I hiked the Watauga Lake section (where the shelter is closed due to bear activity).  I moved fast through the area, not pausing to camp, picnic or linger, as per the original … Continue reading Days 37-39: Hampton, TN to Damascus, VA

Miles hiked since Springer Mtn: 421 | Miles left to Katahdin: 1768 I woke at Elk River to a tent soaking wet with condensation - the wettest tent I think I've had to deal with so far - but it wasn't raining, and the space is big enough to pack up all your other belongings … Continue reading Days 35-36: Elk River to Hampton

Total miles since Springer Mtn: 399 | Miles to Katahdin: 1790 As I was having breakfast at the hotel on my last morning in Erwin I was offered a ride back to the trailhead by a fellow thru-hiker (Snake). We have a certain look about us, even when our clothes are clean. Snake's wife was … Continue reading Days 31-34: Erwin, TN to Elk River, TN

Total miles since Springer Mtn: 343 | Miles to Katahdin: 1846    Ok, first things first, a quick recap of events from Days 23-26: Davenport Gap to Hot Springs. After my week of luxury living in Knoxville, Wes drove me back to the trailhead at Davenport Gap so I could continue my hike from the … Continue reading Days 27-30: Hot Springs, NC to Erwin, TN

Total miles since Springer Mtn: 271.6 | Miles to Katahdin: 1907.4 Frank asked me to start noting at the beginning of each post how far I'd hiked and how far I still have to go. So there it is. Over 200, but not yet 1/7 of the way...  I am currently in Hot Springs, where … Continue reading Days 23-26: Davenport Gap to Hot Springs

Knoxville rests on the banks of the Tennessee River:  The good people at the McClung Historical Collection Research Library allowed me the use of their computers to go over the final edits and complete the index for the McCarthy edited collection while in town: Scenes from around town:            Jack Neely giving a musical history … Continue reading Knoxville, Tennessee – back in Suttree country

The Smoky Mountains section of the trail was the most beautiful terrain I have ever hiked through (and this is coming from someone who lives in the Blue Mountains and has spent a lot of time hiking in Tasmania). Each day walking through these mountains was more spectacular than the last. I don't know if … Continue reading Days 20-22: Newfound Gap to Davenport Gap, Great Smoky Mountain NP

A few pics for now. Lengthier post to come once in Knoxville when time & internet connection permit...