 |
| April 17 First 400 I think everyone has a touch of spring fever, including Paul during a snowy hike to US 321 today, 413.4 miles from Springer. After one month on the AT, he called from Brown's Grocery in Hampton, Tenn at around 4:00pm. Paul is feeling strong after a tough trail week. The past section of the AT had a good share of ups and downs, it was not the size of the hills, but the quantity that made it hard. Paul feels great, and certainly sounded as though he is doing well. He had planned on staying at the Braemar Castle Hostel tonight, a building originally built for the Pittsburg Lumber Company in 1909. The hostel and grocery store are owned by Sutton and Beverly Brown, Sutton's grandfather owned the Braemar Castle. Paul was destined for Cherry Gap Shelter, 355.1 miles from Springer last friday night, while Kim and I were fortunate to see Manny earn his pay with a winning rbi in the tenth over the Yankees in Fenway. Sorry, but it was a great game. Saturday (April 14), Paul made his way to Stand Murray Shelter, 374.5. Paul spent Sunday night at Time Square Motel on US 19E, 384.9 and Patriots Day Paul camped out in a random spot on the AT, which he figured to be at around 400 miles from Springer. Easter was a nice suprise for Paul. He had met up with a fellow hiker during the afternoon, after a great morning hike over Roan Mountain and over several rolling balds with great views and low clouds zooming through the mountains. This hiker he met was local to the area, and got a group of 6 other thru-hikers together and they all went to a restaurant for a hearty Easter dinner. Once again the spirit spirits were on Paul's side. The restaurant did not have a liquer license, and could not sell any alcohol. So apparently the way to get around that law is to serve drinks free of charge. Must be that southern hospitality, everyone drank for free with Easter dinner. And to think I was imagining Paul eating rice and trail mix while I was enjoying ham with pineapple, one of Paul's favorites. Paul is already tired of the trail food from his mail drop, and does not want more sent to him. He finds what he wants to eat in towns, and plans for his next maildrop to consist only of new socks, and his portable cd player with a few cds. He has recently been hiking with The Athens Boys, 4 guys from Athens, GA who have the manpower to carry some "luxury", such as a radio. The Athens Boys listen to the same music as Paul, which made it nice for Paul to hike with them last week. Paul continues to meet cool people on the AT. I asked Paul if Katahdin was still his goal. He said yes, although he also said that if he stopped today, he would still be satisfied. Paul said he is looking forward to the Maine woods, and is having a great time. Paul should be in Damascus, VA on Friday, April 20th. He will call from there, and is planning another zero day in town. He has heard a lot of good things about Damascus from other hikers. Spring Chicken. Todd |
|
 |