Virginia

VIRGINA

The Appalachian Trail is a crazy adventure that is hard to explain to people that haven't expirenced it first hand.

Two down. Twelve to go.

       Two down. Twelve to go.

       During my stay at Standing Bear Farm (241.3), it was brought to my attention that one of the teeth I had work done on previous to my departure was abscessed & was becoming increasingly painful. I was also the new owner of a particularly nasty bloody, infected blister the size of China. After many phone calls... many, I had very spotted service at Standing Bear. I got scripted medicine for the infection & made an appointment for a root canal, which meant I needed to get to Ashville, fast.

The Smokies.

The Great Smoky Mountains.

What to say, what to say. The general consensus among my fellow thruhikers is that everyone is happy to be out of the park. For good reason, the weather is harsh & unpredictable  (snow, ice, fog, rain, below freezing weather). Also the Smokies are the only place where paid permits are required &
the $20 permits don't seem to benefit the hikers, overnighter are given priority and everyone's on edge about getting harassed by rangers & written tickets for one of the dozen rules set in place.

That being said I personally enjoyed the smokies! The weather was great compared to what it could've been! I was lucky enough to get a handful of clear views, even through the snow covered terrain! And I will always remember the smokies with a smile.