I jumped back from the edge of the campfire ring, startled. In the dim light and in my mind's eye, the crackled, gnarled wood of a well-season timber had the same etching pattern as the scutes of a … [Read more...]
The Basics
A sign that means welcome relief. At Gooch Mountain, the tent sites were on a mountain slope and even a walk to anywhere in camp meant a workout. … [Read more...]
Home Sweet Home
All set up in our Lightheart Duo. Rain or shine, this is home. Been hiking for nearly a week and getting stronger and more fleet of foot every day, and more adept at setting up camp quickly. Life is … [Read more...]
Trail Magic Begins
Being invited to speak at the 2nd annual "Spring on Springer" Dahlonega Trail Festival sparked a chain of events that propelled me forward to be standing on a mountaintop today with my sweetheart, the … [Read more...]
And we’re off!
As seen in Dahlonega, here we are at the kickoff event for thru-hiker season. We were fortunate to share table space with Gene Espy, the second man ever to thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail. He … [Read more...]
Living out of a pack
It's been more than a decade since I lived out of a backpack for more than a week, and the experience brings back echoes of those rambles through Europe and Asia. We're not quite to the AT yet - soon! … [Read more...]
Hiking the Florida Trail
Saturday Mar 17 in Dahlonega, GA, I'll be signing books ... and sharing my knowledge of the Florida Trail during a session entitled "Hiking the Florida Trail" at Dahlonega Trail Fest. This weekend … [Read more...]
Ears to the Ground
As the packing continues for our March 15th departure date, the storage unit is nearly full, and the apartment is almost empty. With only two plates, two glasses, one cup (I'm not a coffee drinker), a … [Read more...]
Prepping for the AT
Furniture against the walls of the apartment continues to vanish as the piles of gear, from winter jackets and gloves to bottles of Dr. Bronner's Soap, loose stuff sacks, and technical t-shirts, grow. … [Read more...]
Hiking Bronson State Forest
One of the most beautiful new sections of the Florida Trail is scarcely a year old. At Bronson State Forest, a 13+ mile linear hike - starting at either Seminole Ranch CA or Chuluota Wilderness Area … [Read more...]
