We have officially been vagabonds for a month now and we couldn't be happier! We have hiked 206.8 miles on the AT so far. In the first week or so Julian and I received our trail names (a hiker nickname). People refer to me as Sunshine. Fellow hikers claim that I brighten their days with my lively energetic spirit... with the exception of the early mornings, I'm not full of sunshine at 6am. Julian is known as Young Beard, for obvious reasons... His beard is young... im curious how 'young' it will look 5 months from now.
Soreness for me is a constant and it is slowly catching up with Young Beard. We have both purchased new shoes, some lighter weight trail runners to help with our achey feet. We also carry an abundance of Moleskin and Duck-tape to cover the blisters and sores we have accumulated on our feet as well. Okay enough about our feet...
The friendships we have made on the trail so far are full of laughter and encouragement; we will cherish them forever. We started with about 13 fellow hikers on Februrary 14 and most of us have stayed together since then. Sometimes we get a day or so ahead of each other but we usually catch up to one another in a town and have a nice family reunion over beer and pizza... Or hotdogs in a gas station... Yum! We call our group 'Cupid's Hikers' and they are my hiking family whom I have grown to love and admire. You can follow our friends Little D and 3 Miles on their blog at thetrailbeckons.com for some awesome stories that will have you laughing for hours. Like Little D says 'some of the things that happen out here you can't make up' they are just too bizarre.
We are celebrating this first successful month in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in the Smoky Mountains, at the Bearskin Lodge with Cupids Hikers - the rooms have jacuzzis and gas fireplaces!!! Score!
Thanks to everyone who is keeping up with us and sending us food and cash! Without your support and encouragement we wouldn't be here today. If you want a postcard and haven't given me or Young Beard your address feel free to email it to me at haleychoice@gmail.com
Remember...
Life's short do epic shit,
Sunshine ☀️
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