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Appalachian Trail: From North Carolina to Southern Virginia

May 6, 2014May 19, 2023Posted in hiking, North AmericaTagged Appalachian Trail, best things to do in, Chris Hikes the AT, hiker, North Carolina Appalachian Trail, Tennessee Appalachian Trail, travel, travel blog, Virginia, Virginia Appalachian Trail, woods hole hostelLeave a comment

After another beautiful drive, this time in my convertible to really enjoy the springtime in Virginia, I met up with Chris to take a zero day off the trail together. He was at mile 620, just short of Pearisburg, Virginia. After Trailfest in Hot Springs North Carolina, I saw him one week later at Elk Park, North Carolina. Since then, he had left North Carolina and Tennessee, and made it into southern Virginia.

rainbow tent opening north caroline appalachian trail — Sun’s coming out

frosted trees appalachian trail tennessee clingman's dome — Sun’s coming out

Along the way, Chris hiked alone on some days, and with other hikers at times. He has seen wild horses, beautiful sunrises, some snowy weather, and some warm afternoons. In my two previous visits to see him in trail towns, I’ve been able to meet some of the hikers as well and hear their stories.

hiker at Tennessee Virginia state line sign appalachian trail — Chris reaches Virginia

hiker on bridge over river appalachian trail tennessee — Chris reaches Virginia

In southern Virginia, I met him at Wood’s Hole Hostel, which is a magical place and one that I am so glad I found. A 2-story cabin in the woods, plus a hiker bunkhouse, great food, and lots of community spirit. It’s a bit off the grid so we didn’t have to worry about emails or phone calls all weekend. The owners, Neville and Michael, have run the place for the last 10 years or so, after inheriting the hostel from her grandparents, who ran the place from the 1940’s on. Each morning we had a huge, filling breakfast, with three helpers volunteering to help cook the meal, three more serving, and three more cleaning up. Peach oatmeal crisp, eggs with bacon, and fresh bread with applebutter.

Pearisburg barn and house at Wood's Hole Hostel Appalachian Trail Virginia — Wood’s Hole Hostel

Pearisburg labeled spice jars in a country kitchen wood's hole hostel appalachian trail virginia — Wood’s Hole Hostel

Throughout the day there was yoga, meditation, hiking, and generally lazing about, until it was time for dinner prep- the first night we had tortillas, rice, beans, corn, ground beef, salsa, sour cream, salad, and fresh bread. Again, three helpers made feeding an army of 22 hikers that much easier. Luckily I had booked ahead so Chris and I had a private room in the main cabin- no hiker bunkhouse for me! We had a lot to celebrate, so I brought a bottle of wine and we toasted Chris’s birthday, our wedding anniversary, and him finishing almost 1/3 of the Appalachian Trail. Overall the weekend was amazing and I hope one day to go back to Wood’s Hole Hostel- but maybe next time, I’ll go when it’s not hiking season!

bear bag hanging from tree appalachian trail north caroline — Bear Bagging

mountains, rivers, trees on appalachian trail tennessee — Bear Bagging

farm and fence in virginia — Virginia Farm Country

hiker using laptop at cafe — Virginia Farm Country

Appalachian Trail: Trailfest at Hot Springs North Carolina

April 12, 2014May 19, 2023Posted in hiking, North AmericaTagged Appalachian Trail, best things to do in, Chris Hikes the AT, hiking, hot springs, north carolina, Trailfest North Carolina, travel, travel blogLeave a comment

I arrived in Hot Springs, North Carolina, around 2 pm on a Saturday in April. I knew Chris had camped the night before at mile 253, so he’d have to hike 20 miles to get to Hot Springs. I figured he’d get in around 5. So that gave me a couple of hours to walk around town, check out the Trailfest Weekend going on in town, and explore the crazy 170 year old inn we were staying at. It’s a beautiful house with crazy rooms, sweeping staircases, slanting floors, and wrap around porches on both floors. Owned by a 3-time thru-hiker, it’s $20 a night for hikers. What a deal.

hiker tent and poles appalachian trail north caroline — Striking camp for the day

hiker at North Carolina Georgia state sign appalachian trail — Striking camp for the day

The inn, built in 1840, was later used during World War I as a boarding house for wives of the German officers who were being held as prisoners of war across town (three blocks away) at the Mountain Park Hotel, next to the mineral springs. Later, the house was a boardinghouse for teachers who worked at the Dorland-Bell Institute, a school for Appalachian girls.

AT appalachian trail sign on sidewalk — AT sign in Hot Springs

hot springs north carolina trailfest appalachian trail — AT sign in Hot Springs

Chris came limping into town at 5:20 and after showering and changing, we walked through the town. He was so happy to grab a beer, some salad greens, and hot wings and sit on the patio of the Quarter House Tavern, overlooking the French Broad River. He told me about his hike- some rain, some wind, ice chunks and heavy frost, but no snow. He saw one bear north of Clingmans Dome and some cool birds, two deer, and lots of hikers. In town we ran into Indiana, Rhode Island Red, and Admiral Caboose, all thru-hikers he had met on the trail in the past two weeks. After dinner a band played on the patio and it was a very relaxing evening.

sunrise meadow mountains appalachian trail north carolina — Ready to start the day

Hiker at waterfall along appalachian trail north carolina — Ready to start the day

On Sunday we walked around Hot Springs, had a delightful pancake breakfast with a bunch of hikers, and visited the Hot Springs spa. On the banks of the French Broad River, the spa has a dozen outdoor hot tubs, enclosed on 3 sides by a gazebo, fed by the hot mineral springs themselves. The open side looks out over the river and it was a lovely long soak and a pleasant way to spend an hour. In fact, we enjoyed it so much we went back the next day for another. After a “Hungry Hiker skillet” breakfast and a long soak, Chris got back on the AT to make his way 120 miles to Elk Park NC, where I will see him next Sunday.

man in Georgia Tech shirt on laptop on bench — Checking Email

man in hot tub hot springs north carolina outdoors — Checking Email

Hiking the Appalachian Trail

March 30, 2014May 19, 2023Posted in hiking, North AmericaTagged Amicalola Falls State Park, Appalachian Trail, best things to do in, Chris Hikes the AT, hiking, Springer Mountain, travel, travel blogLeave a comment

Deah and Chris AT Georgia Springer Mountain Appalachian Trail

Chris (my partner) is set to hike the Appalachian Trail for the next few months. For the past month he’s been reading all about the trail and what to pack and what food to buy. He’s a pretty experienced camper and hiker already, so he pretty much knows what to do. Last week he purchased all his food for the first month and got it all measured out and packed away. And finally this weekend we drove down to Georgia to get him started.

one week food preparation for appalachian trail hiker — Food for a week

woman at AT Approach Sign West Ridge Staircase — Food for a week

We stayed at Amicalola Falls State Park lodge, one of the two main places that people start the trail. The AT actually starts at Springer Mountain, GA, but there is an 8 mile approach trail that leads from Amicalola Falls to the trailhead. While we were at Amicalola, of course, we visited the waterfall, a bit of a tradition with us (no arrests this time!).

amicalola falls georgia appalachian trail — Amicalola Falls

hiker at the appalachian trail approach sign springer mountain — Amicalola Falls

On Saturday morning we drove to Springer Mountain and parked. From the parking lot, it is .9 miles to the southern terminus, so I hiked that part with him. He signed in at the registry, put on his pack, and off he went. I drove back to Virginia, stopping at Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina, to deliver his first resupply package, and I also drove through Hot Springs NC, where I will connect with him in two weeks, along with a Trail Days festival there.

hiker signing registry appalachian trail springer mountain southern terminus appalachian trail georgia — At the southern terminus

hikers at southern terminus appalachian trail springer mountain georgia — At the southern terminus

A little trail history: the trail officially began in 1935, after the US government purchased bits and pieces of land to make one long continuous trail/park. About 2,000 people try to hike the entire length each year. About 17% succeed. The trail is 2,1083 miles long.