Part 1 - update

We've come to realize that our cell phone coverage is non-existent here in the mountains (adding to the peace of being in the woods). In Georgia we had great service which made updating simple and easy.

This being said our updates will depend upon when we are able to get connected.

We left off on the last Thursday of March. The sun came out and stayed out all day. We had a beautiful 14 mile hike taking us a few miles away from downtown Franklin.





We passed through Mooney Gap, Gregg's paternal grandmother's maidan name. Thinking about you Grandmommy!

We had a steep hike up to the fire tower on top of Albert Mountain.






With clear blue skies we were able to see for miles. We were really thankful for such great weather since the week before was pretty rough.






When we came to Winding Stair Gap we had our first AT hitch hiking experience going into town. Gregg was lucky because he had no clue I inherited my mother's talent.

I stuck out my thumb and the first car to pass us (which happened to be a pick-up) pulled over and we hopped in the back.

We had a nice view of Franklin and were dropped off downtown.

That evening we were blessed with the opportunity to stay with the gracious and loving Watson family at their home.
My cousin Julie got to know them through a friend from college. Thanks Tristan!

They had never met us before and fed us, let us shower, do laundry, took us to get food for our re-supply and sleep on their cozy couch.

Friday- Feeling clean and well rested we headed back out on the trail. Not even a mile into our day the snow started falling.

We had a pleasant encounter with a short elderly man out for a hike wearing a wide-brimmed hat speckled with snow and crampons attached to his boots.

Stopping to chat with him he informed us of how many hikers he had seen and where the next shelter was. He also let us know that he was 82 years old!

We spent the night inside the stone tower on top of Wayah Bald to avoid the snowstorm.
We were joined by 2 other thru-hikers.





It was the perfect place to catch the views the next morning.













After about an hour the mountains were completely hidden by the clouds.

Saturday- We had beautiful weather again and hiked 17 miles, rolling into camp around 7:30pm and managing to get 2 spots in the A. Rufus Morgan Shelter.





View from The Jumpoff.









Petrified wood from an uprooted tree we saw during the day. The detail is so amazing.

That night it down poured and once again we were thankful to be dry in the shelter and not have to put up a soaking wet tent the next morning.

Sunday- We celebrated Easter Morning with a delicious breakfast at the Nantahala Outdoor Center just an easy mile downhill from the shelter. The AT literally runs right through this popular rafting place.










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Location:Franklin- NOC