ATventure with Frank n' Adam

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Updates

Sorry for lack of updates. We've been picking up the pace a little bit and are generally pretty wiped out by the time we get to our new "home" each night.

We pulled a 14.7 miler today an are camping at the Little laurel shelter. Water has been hit or miss lately. Some places good, some not. Unlike GA water, which was plentiful everywhere. here is a shot of hybrid treating his water:

Tomorrow we are attempting our first 20 mile day. We are pretty excited for the challenge and are looking to really take it by the horns. Total amount would be 21.5.

And finally, we had a great couple of nero days in asheville, nc, this past sun and mon. Our good friend Tracey picked us up in hot spings and showed us the sights and sounds of asheville. Great great town. Really liked it. Tracey and the rest of her family showed us great hospitality that we hope to return one day. Here's Tracey and sassy sister, Jessica. For the record, I have no idea what they are doing in this picture pose.

Thanks again to Tracey and the rest of the Youngs! We had an awesome time!

Oh- one last thing. I thought I would share the two very large gear changes I have made- footwear and backpack.

Footwear: Back at about our 5th day, my left Achilles tendon was rubbing against the back of my boot and was really irritating it and making it sore. So much so that I figured either a change needed to be made or I could run the risk of injury. So I swapped out my Asolo hiking boots for trail runners (Solomon 3D ultra). This was back in Franklin, NC about 90 or so miles ago. Here's both pairs:

So far, so good. Achilles problem has subsided and my feet are feeling good. I also like how light they are.

Backpack: just yesterday I switched out my osprey kestrel 58 (red) with a Gregory z65. My osprey pack's back airspace piece (the part that is supposed to keep your back dry) crumpled under the pack weight and had been pushing into my back. I liked the osprey and would have gotten another but they didn't have my size in the store. So I hmgave Gregory a shot. I like the Gregory Z65 so far, but it's only about 2 days in. A little bigger than my last pack and i need to get use to packing it. I'll keep you updated.

All in all, a few big equipments changes. Something you don't really want to do if you can help it, but for me, it seemed necessary.

Thats all. Goodnight!

-mojo

Friday, May 6, 2011

Atop Snowbird Mountain

After a couple chilly nights, we are having a beautiful day. Really great hike too, but still shooting for an additional 10 miles today. Hybrid also had to jump into town to pick up a mail drop. Should be meeting up later.

Right now, atop snowbird mtn. Enjoy the pics we took today and happy friday!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Big thanks to the Hammonds!

I've said it before. The people we have met on and off the trail couldn't have shown us more generosity or courtesy so far. The past couple days have exemplified that even further.

About a week ago, our good friend on the AT, Will (trail name: chimp) had his parents come out to Fontana Dam, just before the smokies, and had a fantastic BBQ.

This picture was from that day.

We got about half way through the smokies on Sunday and Will's father, Bob, picked us up from newfound gap. He even waited in over an hour of traffic to get us because of construction delays. We were then welcomed into their grandmother's home (before showering, mind you) for their family's weekly Sunday lunch there. Everyone there made us feel so welcome and were extremely friendly. And coming straight off the trail to some home made fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and other delicious fixings was just about as perfect as it could get. It was great to return to civilization with good food and even better people.

After family lunch, will's parents drove us back to their house in Seymour, TN. Here, they put us up, fed us, and really made us feel like we were home. Kindness and generosity seem to be the norm around these parts and it was no different with the Hammond family. We felt so at home, we decided to stay one more day today as a storm and cold weather pushed into the smokies.

We have been well fed, treated like family, and gotten some much needed catch up sleep. We are hitting the trail tomorrow with full bellies and full confidence and it's really thanks to our new trail family. So a huge thank you to Will, Bob, Brenda, and the other friends and family we have met over the past couple days who have given us a new home in the south!

Here are some pictures from our couple days off: