I had the pleasure of sharing a wild Smokies Appalachian Trail adventure with the ATC’s newest ridgerunner, Andy… His excellent trail-maintaining skills were continually being put to the test. He’s going to make a great Smokies Ridgerunner!
I saw my first blooming Bloodroot… just barely out of the ground. It is one of my most treasured experiences every year. Besides their medicinal value, these exquisite solitary flowers bring a smile to anyone willing to notice them.
We experienced weather of all sorts, from sunshine and warm temperatures to pouring numbing cold rain for a day and a half to awakening to a stunning golden sunrise, illuminating many a weary thruhikers’ tent.
A frosty night left everything frozen solid… water bottles, clothing, boots, hydration tubes… an unfortunate water filter or two…
The shelter was packed last night. Twelve reserved permit holders, plus a myriad of thruhikers braving the cold to get ahead of the swarm of hikers with their eyes set on Katahdin, known affectionately as “the bubble.” 
The AT is a magical community, rippling up and down the spine of the Appalachian mountains… so many different people coming together and sharing truly epic adventures… like two ships passing in the night, recounting the last astounding thing that happened…
I am eternally grateful to be a humble steward of this enchanted, healing path. 
