A big tradition on the trail are trail names. The majority of hikers forgo their regular names for trail names that they either give thenselved or pick up along the way. So I have been recently dubbed 'Sunnie Falls.' The past week or so I have been hiking in crocs due to a bruised achilles. Originally it worked out great, but unfortunately mother nature decided to make things a little difficult for us by dumping snow on us. Walking up and down mountains on trails covered in leaves slicked over with snow is hard. Hiking up and down mountains on trails covered in leaves slicked over with snow while in crocs is downright impossible. I have completely ate it about 43 times over the past few days, earning me the trail name, 'sunnie falls.' (I like sun).

Backpacking burns thousands of calories a day, and so naturally, your body starts craving food. Lots of food. Almost anything tastes good in the backcountry, including, as it turns out, Annies Mac n Cheese - without butter or milk. Mmmmm. Scrumptious!

Passed through Georgia into North Carolina the other day! The AT passes through 14 states, so hikers see crossing state lines as something of a mini victory. So 1 down, 13 to go! Yahoo!

Attention Reader: Please stop reading if you are my mom or dad.

But...

I GOT MY FIRST EVER HITCH!!!

Pretty exiting, I know! It was actually a bit harder than I had been expecting. It took my friend and I about 45 minutes to catch one from the trail head into town, but we were lucky in the end and a nice couple on vacation with two little kids picked us up! Thankful for the kindness of strangers.

So being born and raised in New England, I was always under the impression that Georgia was in the south, thus warm. How wrong I was. The past two nights have been about 30 degrees F and 10 degrees F. I have a 20 degree bag SURVIVAL RATING, the comfort rating is 35 degrees. Needless to say, I've been cold. Newest goal: find a new sleeping arrangement (liner, warmer bag, etc).

So Remember how I told the entire world I was going to hike to Maine and thereby dooming myself to embarrassment if I don't? (thanks again Past Mary) well reality check. My new goal is to make it as far as I can, taking one day at a time. At the moment Katahdin is sort of like a bonus feature. Because I mean hey, it's the journey not the destination, right?

Forgotten long underwear top? Check.
Lost? Check.
Blisters? Check.
Hiking the AT? Priceless.

Confession: so when I decided to hike the AT about two years ago now, I was sitting on the couch, under a blanket, by the fire, and reading a book about someone who hiked the trail. And, in my comfort, their adventure sounded pretty sweet! Warning: Don't make major life decisions on your couch by the fire. You're future self may suffer for it.
The thing Is, the fact that I'm going to go hike eight miles tomorrow in the mountains with a thirty pound pack just doesn't sound as appealing now that it's tomorrow and not just sometime in the vague future. Thank you Past Mary.

So I prepared most fittingly this past week by sitting by the fire some moreee, and watching all of the Lord of the Rings movies plus their special features disks and inhaling birthday cake. I found this experience gave me a great deal of perspective on my situation, for unlike Frodo, I go into the wilderness without the ring of power, nor with ring wraiths chasing me, so really my endeavor is a piece of cake. Must count my blessings.

So this morning I embarked for Georgia. Upon arriving at my home airport I promptly realized I had forgotten my smart wool long sleeved shirt, only just minorly essential in braving winter temperatures. It is what it is. But other than that I arrived very uneventfully! I did get to share the Atlanta airport though with just about all of the cheerleaders in the world, as this weekend apparently happens to be nationals. Dont worry, I fit right in with my hobo look (complete with wool socks and crocks).

Anyhoo, the point is, I start hiking tomorrow, and I can hardly wait!