1st day of 3rd Month - 558.6 miles

Happy Birthday Elmone (my young sister)!

We are happy and sad - Chipmunk has decided to go off the trail. She loves hiking - she does not like the snakes (stepped on snake yesterday and today) - that was enough! Chipmunk was our trail secretary and treasurer - we are sure going to miss her. She wants to get a job and think about going back to school - we wish her the best in what ever she decides to do. She has a wonder sense of humor on the trail - we are truly going to miss her! Hopefully, her dad can pick her up at Bland, VA.

Today we did 14 miles - relative easy - some in the real woods and a few miles on private property - cattle and meadows - nice change from the woods. Yes, we can even look up and see birds - no rocks and logs to step over. Crazy Lady saw a black snake in a tree - knotted up like a pretzel - wanting to get a snack (small bird or egg) - the mommy/daddy bird went crazy in the tree - live and let live.

VA does not have a lot of wild flowers on the ground, but the flame azaleas, rhododendrons and the sleep laurel are very pretty. The sleep laurel is pink flowers - very nice pink - mt laurel is white.

A very pretty sunny day today - 8 PM and we all in bed waiting for the storm - the sky looked very promising. The trail is very quite and empty - all the hikers are in Damacus. Met a man today that started at Harpers Ferry, VA - hiked south to Springer.

Partnership Shelter - 524.8 miles

Just to busy having fun to make notes! We had rain and thunderstorms. A few tornado's in small towns around us. Lucky that we did not get the hail they got - we saw a lot of downed trees, so we knew the storms were bad.


May 10th (Mothers day) - we did about 10.6 miles. Crazy Lady hiked with older man - nice company while hiking - he is from Maine and climbed Kilimanjaro a few years ago - he will be 60 (9/11/09) and hopes to summit the big K Mt that day.


We we got to the shelter we all showered and hitched a ride (lucky again 3 hikers going south gave us a ride) into Marion, VA (about 6 miles). We as Chinese buffet at the "Green Wall" (it was good) - stocked up for about 4 - 5 days. Another thru hiker left his # at Partnership Shelter and said her would pick us up and take us back if we would call. (We did)

When we got back to shelter - it was full (16 in shelter and 10 tents) most hikers going south to Damacus - about 8 of us going north. It rained most of the night. Stick man was suppose to find nice camp spot - we ended up 12 miles down trail at Atkins. It was already booked when we got there - but we had a nice shower and ate good - so we spent unplanned night in luxury. We went to pick up tent but arrived after 4 PM - because post office closed at 4 PM - we had another night in luxury. Patches (May 13th) did not start good - he tried to hitch a ride into town (3 miles) and no one picked him up - he had to hike 6 miles to mail drop and back. Passed a train with 7 engines and 105 cars - well we are back in nature away form all the busy town life with TV and lots of food.


Life is good on the trail - frogs & birds singing - flowers blooming. Rhododendron in full bloom (very pretty) - saw 5 new flowers. Southwest VA is very pretty - rolling mts - go thru green meadows and shady green mts.

Trimpi Shelter - 514.2 Miles

7:30 PM - Thunderstorm and Rain - Hope Patches tent will be OK - he did manage to find some sealer in our emergency tent - tried to repair it. Stick man and Poppins are singing "Raindrops are falling on my head" for him.

Slept at Trimpi Shelter - a beautiful day - some clouds - semi sunshine - calls for an easy 10 miles hike - 5 miles into Jerry's Kitchen & Goods. Lunch is waiting at Troutdale, VA (512.2 miles). Crazy Lady hike 5 miles in 1 hr. 45 mins - NEW RECORD - and last record, she wants to achieve. Crazy Lady, Chipmunk, Patches, Poppins & Stick Man all hitched a ride into town in the back of a pickup (all five squeezed in) - another new experience.

Patches called REI about tent - they are sending new tent in 1-2 days. Lunch was very good!
Jerry of Jerry's Kitchen gave all 5 of us a ride back to trail head. How about that - more trail magic?

Met a retired judge from Alabama at camp site. He has section hiked for last 10 yr - 10 states.
He and a few buddies are hiking south to Damascus for trail days. He told Crazy Lady about "hike naked day" June 21st (first day of summer) What fun ahead for us!!!

At shelter there are 10 tents and 8 in shelter which is full - 6 thru hikes and all the rest on their way to trail days (young and old).

Mt Rogers - VA highest peak - 5729 ft

4 PM - my tent is pitched - sun is shining - 1st time in 7 days - HOORAY!!

We went over Mt Rogers on 5-7 in some rain - mostly overcast.

Last two days we were in Lewis Fork Wilderness and also went through Grayson Highlands State Park (494.2 miles) Saw lots of wild ponies (not so wild) - they eat carrots out of our hands - came right up to Thomas Knob Shelter. Most of the mares are pregnant - we did see a few babies (very cute) The first pony that came to camp did not want carrots - it ate lots of dirt, rain water (could here it crunching on dirt). Then a group of 6 came and chomped away on the carrots. The pony visit made up for the last 5 - 10 miles of horrible hiking to the shelter.

What fun!! It rained so much the trail was like a creek - not sure if we should hike or canoe. We had to play hop scotch - jump rock to rock to log - or Chess - checkmate was when there is not rock or log to step on and when you loose your footing on the 1 rock and slip into the creek. The trail/creek was probably a good foot deep. Now, you can hike in the creek - but you boots get very heavy and will take days to dry. Looking back - it was fun and new experience - like hiking in the snow.

Last night we slept in the Wise Shelter (Miles 496.1) - Patches & Chipmunks tents leaked again. It rained none stop for 14 hours pouring down - thunder & lighting. What fun!

Today we start off in rain - still playing hop scotch or chess. The Virginia Highland is very pretty - quite rocky with these green meadows and wild ponies. This afternoon was a pleasant, dry, sunny, mild hike. Went over Hurricane Mtn pitched tents at Hurricane Mtn Shelter (507 miles). We have met up with old friends - Storyteller, Stick man and Poppins. Poppins, Patches and Chipmunk washed in river - now they are busy making fire - so peaceful.

Tomorrow we plan to have more fun - hit the trail early - eat breakfast at Jerry's Kitchen - hoping to make it to Partnership Shelter.

Whitetop Mt - Trip Miles 482.4 - Elev 5150

What a day - 12.5 miles - start in dry - end in rain (big hard drops). Rain was so bad - Crazy Lady had to take off glasses (hiked blind) so hard to see, she thouth she had passed the shelter, but she did make it to Lost Mountain Shelter. All three made it to shelter - dressed in dry clothes for lunch - stayed at shelter about 2 hours. This afternoon we have to go over Whitetop Mt - climb 2,000 ft in 4 mile - with rain, fog and 60 mile hr wind - it feels like it could blow you off the trail - if it was not for our hiking poles we would fall off - wind blew Chipmunks rain cave off of her backpack. Since in VA - rain and fog - we wonder how we know we are in a new state?
How do we know if we are at the highest peak in the state? No view - trees are now about the same height as Patches. We tried to pitch our tent out of the wind, but still had the rain. It took us just 1 hour to pitch tent - cook food - eat - bear bag - get dry and in tents. Lucky tents are good and dry inside. However, we still manage to have fun.

Today - saw lots of new flowers "Lady Slippers" - passed lots of water (rivers, creeks & streams) - no water shortages.

After we left Damacus the Virginia Creeper Trail starts - this was an old railroad track- when it was not used any longer the tracks were picked up and it was made into a bike trail next to Laurel Creek. You can rent bike in Damacus - so quite a few bike riders in Damacus also.

Damacus, VA -Trip Miles 461.1

Crossed the TN/VA border - did 10 miles into Damacus. (Patches and Chipmunk did 10 miles in 3 hrs) Last 3 days in TN was rain. Nice weather - not cold - since it is warmer and rainy the bugs are trying to eat us up. Damacus is geared to hikers - small town - people are friendly and helpful. We were lucky to get last bunk in the bunk room and double bed at Hikers Inn - owned and run by Suzanne - very nice lady - she quilts, knits, spins yarn, weaves - also has organic garden. Crazy Lady was privileged to sleep in bunk house with 3 younger men, 1 grumpy older man and 2 dogs. More dogs on trail than usual - big dogs (that carry their own food pack). Hard for hikers to get place to stay with dogs. Second night in bunk room stayed with 3 older men (not to grumpy) and 1 young man with a dog. Chipmunk's boots has torn loose on one side- she needs new boots bad! Crazy Lady sewed her boot up, hopefully it will last a few more miles and as back up boots until she gets new ones broke in.



Damacus has very nice 1 lb. hamburgers - good coffee shop - good omelets - fudge shop (we ate to much). Poppins ate 5 lb hamburger. We supported Damacus very good - nice town.



Left May 5 at 1:30 PM with stuffed back packs and new boots. Hiked 9.4 miles to Saunders Shelter (470.5 miles) - nice clean shelter, privy. (Just the 3 of us stayed in the shelter) It rained most of the time - tried to keep tent dry - very heavy when wet.

Abingdon Gap Shelter - Trip miles 451.1

10 miles from Damascus - 6.5 miles from TN-VA border - rain last night Nice peaceful hike 8.3 miles - very laid back - met a man form Israel (nice guy). Crazy Lady was early at shelter knitting - hoping to finish pair of socks before leaving for Damascus.

Chipmunk and Patches recover trail magic from people from Texas that are leaving for wedding and wants to do trail magic, but will miss the hikers every day. Chipmunk and Patches came with a few goody bags (enough for most of the hikers at the shelter) what a nice treat - 4 tents - 3 in shelter - all hoping to leave early for Damascus.

20 miles away from Damascus - 16 miles from TN-VA border. Yesterday Patches & Chipmunk saw a big huge king snake - 6 ft long - 1 1/2" diameter. (Chipmunk was very scared) The last few days we met new hikers - they are hiking 15 - 30 miles a day (that is what I call running hikers) - hike from sun up to sun down - no fun (if you don't take time to enjoy what you see).
There is also a few slack pack hikers (they get dropped off at a road with a day pack and hike south 10-20 miles). Flamethrower and Smurfit has been doing that the last 3 days (+/- 50 miles), Chipmunk and Patches give them a hard time we will meet up with them in Damascus.

Today was a spring day - we did 14 miles in relative short time. It was a nice hike - no view (foggy and wet) - we need the rain (will help allergies, pollen and dust). Nice to hike in rain that is not so cold. We are having so much fun!!!

Vanderventer Shelter - Trip Miles 428.4

Did 12 miles - What an interesting day! ( I almost feel guilty for loving all this wonderful time)


Sunny, warm days. Woke up at 2 AM - heard voices coming down the mt - saw night lights - when they saw my tent they went "oops" here are people tenting. We heard today that it was 3 thru hikers that are trying to hike 24 hrs straight to Damascus (50 miles) - Good luck to them!



Woke this morning just before 7 - leave camp around 9:30 - no rain nice cool spring day - good hiking weather. At Watauga Lake a newspaper reporter as permission to take picture and interview us to put in newspaper. Patches has his card - we snacked while we talked to him. Lake Watauga is the 3rd cleanest lake in the country. Today was the first day we hiked in green woods like we know.

45 days on Trail - 418.3 miles

Day 10 without rain. Chipmunk is much better - still hiking slow. Hiked 4 miles into Kincora Hostel to pick up note from "Spirit" - has family emergency - will call her when I have service again. Eat lunch at Laurel Fork Shelter - nice place with cabins and bunks - can fish in river and lots of pretty day hikes. We ate pizza at nice restaurant - nice rest(about 1 1/2 hrs). Hiked 3 miles next to Laurel River and up to waterfalls (very pretty). Cross the river a few times (so pretty). Sleep at Pond Flats (nice campsite) We managed to eat Roman noodles before it started to rain - some thunder and lighting - now just nice soft rain - maybe get rid of pollen.
Last night we met a daughter and Dad from New Zealand.

White Rock Mountain - Trip Miles 404.7

Did about 10 miles today. Chipmunk feels better - not 100%. We rest every 2 hours - another perfect day - sunny and warm. Saw some new wildflowers - east some wild oats - tasted like asparagus - also saw painted trillium. Camped at camp site 2 miles after Moreland Gap Shelter - went up and over White Rocks Mt. Today we went over our 400 mile mark, We camped at 404.7 miles. One other reason that the kids did not sleep will 2 nights ago, was that we slept so close to neighborhood and all that Patches could think of was the movie "Deliverance". We heard today that "Spirit" left me a message at next hostel - she left the trail. I hope it will not be bad. I feel so sad about it - we enjoyed hiking and camping together.

Elk River/Jones Waterfall

It is around noon - we have done about 3 miles. Chipmunk and Patches did not sleep much last night - Chipmunk has bad allergy. Crazy Lady pitched tent for Chipmunk to take siesta - nice camp spot by Elk River. Patches hung his hammock on the bank of the river- (Hopefully both will sleep and rest). We might only hike 6 miles (of the 12-13 miles we planned), according to how the kids feel after rest. Patches in serviced us on the King Snake today - showed us the markings on snake - told us it is a friendly snake. We saw Jones Waterfall - pretty - we rested
there for 1 1/2 hrs. Did 7 miles - Chipmunk is a sleep after good ganic soup, hopefully she will be better tomorrow. Met an older man that spent a few days in Damascus sick with allergy/cold. Hope we can fight it off in mt while hiking slowly on. Patches going to sleep in hammock - hope it works!

Doll Flats, TN-NC border - Trip miles 383.6

Today was one perfect day and full of adventure. We certainly don't have boring days. Each day is different - each day is perfect in it's own way. We got up 6:30 to watch sunrise - took to long to come over the mt - so we packed - ate breakfast (had real coffee) - 8:30 we hit the trail. That is early - we usually only leave camp at 10 AM. The reason isan King of the Road Restaurant and Steak House is 6 mile trail and 1/2 mile Hwy 19. On top of Hump Mt we saw 5 horses (very tame) in the meadow. Patches and Chipmunk fed them Crazy Ladies carrots and celery sticks. Chipmunk said the horses made her day! Crazy Lady saw wild ginger plant and flower (edible), also saw nice blue flowers but cannot identify them. Chipmunt and Patches and about 10 other hikers was at steakhouse until 11. They open 11am buffet for $9 per person - all you can eat. Crazy Lady made it 10 min to 11. (Needless to say the steakhouse loose out today) - we will hitch hike into Roan Mt about 4 miles up and down paved road (Hwy 19). We were lucky/blessed by trail magic again. Another hiker's girlfriend came to visit him and took us all the way to the drop off at Cloud Market - to resupply. About 1 1/2 hrs later we sat outside market and packed. Patches got chocolate puffs - Crazy Lady got Fruit Loops Cereal - Chipmunk pop tarts. Supper was hot dogs on the fire with smores - what a feast! With full heavy packs we had to get back to trail head 4 miles up hill (US 19). Chipmunk ask man with small Nissan pickup if he was going to ELK by an chance - he said "no" - but he will take us to the trail head. Him and his wife use to own/run the hostel for hikers in Damascus. Two other hikers from Canada also rode with us - again we sure was blessed with trail magic. We hiked about 3-4 miles into trail - enjoyed our supper and in bed at 8:30 pm. Chipmunk has bad allergy (with all the dry weather and pollen), hopefully with some meds she will be OK in a day or so. We cross into just TN at Doll Flats (TN-NC border) - we hiked in TN with both feet for about 67.5 miles - then into VA for about 533 miles.

Overmountain Shelter - Trip miles 377.9

Very easy hike - 10 miles - Hiked 1st 5 miles with Spider - very peaceful hike - slight up & downs. Lunch at Stan Murray Shelter - then sen 1 1/2 miles more to Overmountain Shelter (Converted Barn) to do laundry & rest. Nice sunny warn day! Packed up @ 4 to do 3 more miles to Bradley Gap. Thunderstorm came over, but went over Little Hump Mountain. Hope to go over Big Hump Mt before lunch in town. Tonight very peaceful - sunset was beautiful. Kids found rubber snake and put in Crazy Lady sleeping bag. (Fun for everyone except Crazy Lady) Tomorrow must re-supply for 75 miles to Damascus

Roan High Knob Shelter - Trip Miles 371.4 - Elev 6285

What a day! Started out to be a prefect day - sunny, warm (short sleeve shirt) Wonderful easy hike first 5 miles - saw some flowers. One place had grasshoppers, made noise with dry leaves like popcorn, when you put your foot or hiking pole down. Funny lunch at Clyde Smith Shelter - After lunch started limb up to 2200' in 5 miles - most of climb in last 3 miles steep up to Roan Mtn - 3rd highest mt on trail. Made it up hill before thunderstorm - pitched tents - cooked food - then thunderstorm & rain. Crazy Lady had an owl looking after her during the night - every now and then it would sweep down for the trees and tents. Patches thinks he was catching mice. All & all a perfect day

Unaka Mountain - Trip Miles 353.5 - Elev 5180

A real spring day with Sunshine - no wind - just a breeze to remind you it is still spring. 10 miles - interesting hike - start at bottom of Unaka Mt - tons of dead trees - woods burned at some point (don't know if controlled burn or not) - no wild flowers just leaves. At top of Unaka Mt
entered pine forest (dark & spooky) - tall and new pines. Going down off mt saw birch and rhodendron trees - no flowers yet - saw some yellow talliums. Not much life at Cherry Gap Shelter. No sign of "Spirit" - she must be at least a day ahead. Camp tonight at Apple Orchard Campsite with Stickman. Very old apple trees and some new planted ones. Green meadow - peaceful and pretty. Crazy Lady knits - Patches rest in hammock - Chipmunk attends to feet.
Patches and Chipmunk cooked pasta with garlic. Crazy Lady throwed bear bag 6 times. It is now 7:30 PM - all in tents. Big climb tomorrow from 3950' to 6285'

Deep Gap Campsite - Trip Miles 351.9

Rain last night - not much sleep in shelter - to much snoring. Woke early - no rain, but windy & cold. Climbed 500 ft in 1 mile. We baked potatoes in fire tonight - very good - one of our better meals (but we always eat good). Nice fire - but took a while. It is amazing how nice and warm a tent can be - all 3 of us enjoy our tents. Mountain man & Stick man camped with us, enjoyed the company.

Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Trip Miles 344.0

Got up at 8:30 AM at Super 8, still in Erwin. Ate breakfast and hitch hiked out to trail. (starting to get good with hitchhiking) Young man picked us up and took us out to trail - shortened out hike to 4 miles today, instead of possible 8. Arrived at shelter early (sleeps 6) , 3 other hikers with us -Cooked beans, rice with tortillas. Chipmunk bear bagged - Crazy Lady knitted - Patches made Chipmunk whittle a wooden spoon (her new hobby). Saw a red salamander (2 inches long) - left a trail with alot of tracks (new view for GA boy & girl)

Chipmunk & Patches Photos

Hikers Gang

Crazy Lady's Photos

Waterfall looking down at Davenport Gap out of Smokies .

Trail in Smokies

More interesting tree formations on trail

Hiking in field like this often white blaze on tree

Steps to get over fence with AT sign


Waterfalls on the way to Low Gap Camp - April 18


Blood root flowers - takes 4-6 yrs before it blooms


Interesting tree formation in NC


Trees that up root due to storms


Welcome to TN - but we continued to hike one foot in East TN and in West NC


Chipmunk follows white blaze..............................................

Which way should I go..............