Thirteen days into our Appalachian Trail adventure! We can ad to this blog only when there is WiFi. Last night we arrived at our second resupply point the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

Little things mean the most on the trail. Dry socks, nice people, great views and the salad I had last night at the NOC. We got in late yesterday at six thirty after a long up and then mostly down climb. The downhills result in hurting calves today for me. This week has been mostly dry and warmer than our first week and for that I am grateful.  Noticing little things I am grateful for on a daily basis has helped keep my attitude positive on 17.2 mile days and one 12 degree night. I have my beautiful daughter Rachel to thank for developing this habit with a gratefulness journal.

I have been most impressed with the variety of people we have met on the trail. The majority are younger people hiking the trail alone, a couple of older folks our age and only one other couple so far.  The younger folks include two brothers from GA Red and Billygoat, Easy, Chauncey, Doc and Yetty. Iris interesting we still see them and are readily accepted into the crowd. This crew has formed a loose but supportive group. They sometimes sleep late and take zeros then still pass us during the day. We roll into a camp at five or six and they give us encouragement. So far we have been slow and steady with about 13 mile days. No zeros yet. We did do two longermile days of 17 and 16 miles. I have been impressed how all the hikers help and encourage each other. Yesterday at the Wayah Shelter I walked up after pumping water and about seven people young and old including Steamy were rubbing their feet, treating blisters and swapping first aid materials.

Our trail names came about this way. A Navy diver named Hammer Head came upon me on a hill when we were taking a break with shorts on and no shirt. Well of course I’m from MI this feels like summer .  So he suggested skins like on jr high teams so I am Skinz. Judy was cooking her socks at a trail magic stop fire, they were steaming so Steamy!

I would like to add more but it is time to prepare to be back on the trail!

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