our reward

life has literally been a whirlwind the past month. we got done with the trail on January 14th, I started back to work with the sweet babies at a hospital which shall not be named, tony has had tons of meetings with potential brokers, we moved in with my mom, started back at Tusculum, bought a brand new, gorgeous car of my dreams, sent out thank you cards to those who helped us along our journey, bought a couch and love seat, got our apartment move in date moved back, etc etc

before all that though, we went to the most beautiful place.

as we were walking in a foot of snow in the smokies, we decided to go somewhere we had never been before, ad somewhere warm. we decided on water island, a tee tiny island off of St. Thomas. we stayed at the Virgin Island Campgrounds. Yes, I said campgrounds. But listen, it was more like a Eco-Friendly community (including a community grill/fridge and composting toilets). Our ocean view (and breeze feeling) tent cottage was made of wood and had a luxurious bed and futon. There were canvas screens that we rolled down when the trade winds felt like they were about to blow us out of our bed. There was a beach within walking distance, and to get groceries, we had to ride the ferry over to St Thomas. Occasionally though, someone like Captain Woody (a senile old man with a dingy covered in duct tape with a questionable story on how he acquired his name) would take us across the water to the island.

We met the coolest couple of all time from Boston at the Campgrounds, and made the trek to St. John with them one day. And trek it was. Ferry, local "safari bus", another ferry, walking trail (ugh), got lost on walking trail, climbed down a steep embankment to a rocky coast with waves crashing into it, and finally to our destination. (We then bummed a ride with another super nice couple to yet another beach). We took the taxi back to the ferry at the end of the day so as not to repeat our semi-dangerous trek in reverse.

Anyways, we stayed on Water Island for 2 weeks, and believe it or not, we were more than ready to be home.

Our next adventure will be living smack dab in the middle of downtown Nashville. I cannot stand the thought of suburbia right now.

"There's no place like home" -Dorothy



**Speaking of home, my sweet friend's grandmother has gone home to be with the Lord and her beloved grandson. Please remember the Yates and Bartletts in your prayers.

so how was it?

i feel better now. 

i absolutely cannot believe we are done with the trail. the only word i can come up with to describe it is "surreal." did we really do that? 

the last 100 miles were pretty intense. it was bitter cold the whole time. we were struggling with the concept of being so close and yet having 100 miles to go. we just kept dreaming of the beach we were going to be laying on very soon, and that kept us motivated.

we trudged our way through north carolina and FINALLY got to georgia. we continued to meet more and more north bounders. we continued to meet more and more day hikers telling us the terrain up ahead was rough and maybe we shouldn't go over blood mountain in the rain, we shouldn't walk in the dark, we shouldn't try to make it 6 more miles to the hostel. it is amazing the difference between when we first started and the very last days. for example, a group of strong young men in their 20's were taking 6 days what we did in 2 days. no joke. 

our last day was (of course) raining. and 50 degrees. we met a northbounder who was about 5 miles in that said he "loved" rainy and cold weather. talk to us in about another week, buddy. 

a mile before Springer there is a parking lot where morgan and jesse met us to walk the last section with us. (we walked; tony ran). then it was over. just like that. just like high school and college. you go and go and then all of a sudden it's over.

people ask us daily if we would do it again. the answer is always yes, we would do it once. not again. 

it's hard to explain the trail. it is more than a "hike." it is easily the hardest thing i have ever done. it is blisters and feet so sore you can't put your feet down. it is carrying your life on your back in a bag. it is making new friends that turn into your family. it is having to say good-bye to those friends. it is spending months away from your family. it is climbing mountains and being rewarded by heavenly views. it is climbing mountains and being rewarded by nothing. it is being deprived and cold and hungry and the next hour eating the best mcdonald's you have ever had. it is being so tired that sleeping on a wooden shelter floor feels divine. it is humbling yourself and sticking your thumb out for a ride from strangers. it is hiking miles and miles only to have miles and miles to go the very next day. it is not for everyone. 

as happy as i am to be done, i am missing it just as much.

get a job you loser

i've been informed that my "last" AT post needed a follow-up, more detailed description. 

before that, though, i am going to insert this comment: if one more person asks why we are not working/when we are getting jobs/how can we afford this/why are we being irresponsible i am going to scream. 

if you were around us at all before we left for the trail, you know that we never sat down. we were constantly working. i worked nights at the hospital, and then babysat almost every day AFTER staying up all night to earn extra money. tony was running around showing houses and writing up contracts WHILE renovating the house we LIVED in. 90% of the work was done by his own hands. not  just one room. the WHOLE house. we used a toilet that you had to flush by pouring water in manually, a shower whose door wouldn't shut in a bathroom with absolutely no ventilation. we had no kitchen whatsoever for 6 months. every single room in the house was under construction. the ENTIRE time.

we shared a 10 year old car. we had no cable and no internet. we have never exchanged Christmas, valentine's, or birthday gifts with each other.

basically, we saved our money. we tried to make responsible decisions so we could go on an adventure. so we could be free a minute. so we could see the country. we are so blessed.

i think that if you want to do something, you should make it happen. MAKE it happen. don't wait around for it to happen to you. the american dream is what you want it to be. not what people say it should be.

2184/2184

we are done.

95% done

This whole day I've been thinking, "what in the world are we doing?" And "this is crazy that we have hiked for this long and this far!" I don't know why it just know occurred to me just how very extraordinary/insane this journey is, but today it hit me straight in the face!

That being said, we are now through the Smokies! Our honorable c/o 2003 VP Andy Frizzell took us in for the night after we decided to take a zero due to the rain (which quickly escalates into snow at 5000 feet). After getting a ticket in Gatlinburg (probably the only person in America to get a ticket without actually owning a car), spending New Years with the Burgesses, and pushing my luck with Bret by getting us lost, we arrived at Andy and Ashley's! So great to catch up with old friends! And so touched that they would take us in.
He took us back to the trail, and we trudged the last 40 miles through the Smokies on mostly solid sheets of ice and (thankfully) less snow. Combined, we only fell flat on our butts 3 times..not bad considering everyone else had fancy chains and yaktraks to keep them from slipping!
We got to Fontana Dam after a LONG 24 mile day. We were exhausted so the next 2 days were somewhat laid back (11 miles and 15 miles) and we got to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. One of Tonys twitter followers found us wandering around and dehydrated so he took us to "town" and we stayed at the Relax Inn complete with an outdoor washing machine with a dryer located in the main office. (Don't ask)

Today we made the HUGE climb out of the NOC and Amanda met us at the end of the 27 mile day after hiking into Siler Bald. She got to see a WILD HOG and said she was terrified and had no idea what to do. She "took of running and looked at him and then stood completely still." Please google wild hog and look at the grotesque images. They are hideous!

After eating a large and medium pizza we are now at the Microtel and very warm and happy!

We have 109 miles to go! We saw our first Northbounders today too! Which means they have done 109 miles of 2184. I do not envy them one bit.

cold.

Folks, we are so happy and grateful to be by a warm fire tonight. Huge thank you to Bret and Jessica for rescuing us and taking us to the cabin!
For the last 4 nights, we have been in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. My mom took us back to the trail, and, due to the snow/ice on the road, she dropped us off 3 miles from the trail on the road. I think she felt a little bad, but we were ok!
The second we entered the park, the light rain falling on us turned into snow. We finally made it to the first shelter absolutely freezing. We stopped at 3oclock, which we never do! Anyways, there were about 15 people in the shelter with us that night? ( a welcome change from empty shelters save a few frozen mice )
The next day, we woke to 6-8 inches of fresh snow on the ground. Imagine going outside to play in the snow, building 3 snowmen, sledding for 4 hours, and then walking 2 miles in it and then spending the night on your porch in your sleeping bag. That's how tired we are.
That being said, the mountains are pristine, beautiful, serene, angelic when you are the first people to walk into the morning. As with most things in life, there was a hidden blessing in our trial.
Today, we made it to Newfound Gap. There were literally hundreds of people up there milling around. Quite the culture shock. One girl asked me, "Um does this trail actually lead anywhere?"
Girl, you have no idea.

1978/2184 done.....206 to go!

Xmas break

Merry Christmas from Nashville!

Thank you so much to Kory Miller for coming to help us this past week! We were able to slackpack several 20+mile days AND sleep in a hotel!! We only had one tiny incident where we couldn't find each other at the end of the day, but it was huge help to have Kory with us.
We decided to come home a couple days early for Christmas break because a bad storm was coming through the Smokies...
Needless to say, it was surreal riding back into Nashville. We were excited, but we had really wanted to be done for Christmas. But as the trail teaches you, sometimes you just have to let things go. We have had our "Alabama"
Christmas already and have a few more to go! We got to go to Tusculum this morning and were really encouraged by all the people who came up and hugged us and told us they had been thinking about us. Betsy almost had me in tears with her welcome. Shout out to the Shackletts!! We really do appreciate everyone reading our blog and following our journey.
Also, it is super crazy when you leave in July, and come back in December. You feel like a whole chunk of your life is gone, and that it should still be summer! But the world just keeps right in turning with or without you.
Lots of people have asked if we were sad about going back to the trail after Christmas. And I can honestly say that I miss it. And I can honestly say that I am ready to finish it up too. I have thought about it every second since we have been gone.
It just gets in your blood, and in your heart, and you just have to go.

1930/2184 88.4% complete ( starting back at Max Patch Mtn in NC)