its that time

Well what an amazing adventure this has been. Just over two months ago Aaron and I started out on the AT with the goal of having a good time. So after two amazing months and many priceless memories we reached harpers ferry. It is here that at least for now we say farewell to this journey and head back home with memories to last a life time. Hopefully one day, one if not both of us will be able to pick up where we left off. 

To Aaron I say thanks for the company, it was an absolute blast and will never forget it. Just to think of the things that we experienced in these two months blows my mind.

To Richard, Dont Panic, Wing It, Wizzard, Buddy, Carpenter, Bubbles and everyone else that we meet on the trail, I enjoyed getting to know you guys and wish you the best of luck, hope that your journey is a great one.

Trail days kinda defined the last month of our hike as we picked up drew. We greatly enjoyed having him with us for Virginia. So once again to his Mom, Beth, JB, Fridge, and everyone else from trail talk thanks for your support look forward to seeing all of you next year at trail days.

The trail is about the journey and the experiences, in this regard I consider this trip a success. It has given me a new outlook on life and made me understand how to value things more and not take simple things like food, water, cars for granted. so my biggest lesson is found in a quote from one of the registries.

                 DREAM LIKE YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER

                 LIVE LIKE YOU WILL DIE TOMORROW

Never take anything in life for granted, not even the salt you put on food to the bed you sleep in. We are all very blessed even though we always "want" more in life we have more than we need. So just be happy with life.

Now I gladly await arriving home and getting to see everyone again and let you hear our experiences.  had the time of my life see you all soon

Rain Rain Rain

Well as if we did not have enough rain in Georgia and North Carolina, It has rained on us just about every evening and all day today. I guess its just to make sure we do not stink as much when we go into town. We now have three more weeks of hiking with Drew before he leaves us in either Front Royal or Harpers Ferry, we have had a blast with him so far. Virginia holds a quarter of the entire trail so it will be a big milestone when we finish it and not to far out of Virginia is the halfway point. We are still having a good time. thanks to everyone back home for encouragement and thanks to my mom for our great mail drops. hope everyone is doing good back home talk to you all soon.
Bojangles, Curly, Dancing Queen

Virginia

Trail Days... what a time. Thanks to everyone with "Trail Talk" for taking Curly and I in and making us feel like part of your group. Your kindness is very much appreciated and there is no way we can every thank you enough. The food was great and the conversation better. To "Windy Girl" thanks for letting us kidnap your son, we are having a blast just talking with each other. Hope that this update finds everyone back home in good health and having a good time. We are doing good just getting back into the hiking mode after five days off for trail days. Hope to post again soon and will be sending pics home shortly so more should be up in the next two weeks.
Bojangles~Curly~Dancing Queen
will be posting with Drew(Dancing queen) while he is with us for the next five weeks

Well pictures will be up soon thanks to bria for her help in this. the pictures will include many of the people we have encounter on our trip. If there are pics on here of your friends please feel free to copy them and share with others. Weather hopefully will start getting better. We had two zero days at the fontana hilton shelter to heal my feet, but good to go now ready to be back on the trail.
Bojangles
"When In Doubt Walk Some More"

North Carolina

Well our first post from the trail. thanks to bria for posting our cell phone chats. We have made it to Franklin north carolina and are taking a half day off. The last few days have been very wet and we need the time to dry everything out. The hiking has gotten much easier after we got out of Georgia. will try to post more often from here on out wherever we have cell service will be sending pictures home soon so should be up in a week or so.
Bojangles

He pretty much said the most of it lol. Let me just say that walking in the rain with 40 pounds on your back really sucks. Everything gets wet. Then you get to get up the next day and walk in already wet gear in even more rain... Ya if you can't tell I really don't like doing that... otherwise can't complain, much
Curly
an early congratulations to DETOUR a south bounder we met who will be reaching the end of his journey at Springer either late today or early tomorrow. he gave us the best quote so far on the trail.
"Welcome to North Carolina, Climb these stairs" DETOUR

First rainy day on the trail.  Made it to Hiawassee, GA for resupply.

Day 3

We reached Neel'g Gap in Georgia.  By the way, if you don't already know, Georgia DOES have mountains.  Will post again soon.

Leaving

well here it is just about to get in the car. everyone be safe and have a good summer, wish everyone well and again thanks for the support. hope to get phone coverage in a few days and will call to check up.   

              Bojangles~Curly

Maine here we come

AT north bound 2009

Check out the photos link and facebook link for more pics

Time to go

Well the time is finally here.  Leave out of cookeville in just over 8 hours. Just want to say thanks to everyone for all their support. Thanks to my mom for once again helping us make some last minute gear changes and creating new bags for us. To all my friends at Bud and my customers I am looking forward to comming back and sharing all the stories with you guys. I hope that everyone has a great summer and keep checking back here we will have it updated as much as possible. Its going to be an amazing trip! 

                                                           Bojangles(Mark)

The mountains are calling and I must go. 
John Muir

Last minute things... Apprehension sucks. I want to leave. I will miss everyone but at least when I get back I will have new things to say. I hope lol I can't wait. See all of you when I get back. I will ask how often you checked this so check it... please.

                                                                 Curly(Aaron)

How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! 
John Muir

One week

Well we are getting very close, Aaron and I are getting the last things in order. Just got our food bags (thanks to mom for making them and our trail pants). all that is left is to finalize our mail drops and food plans. under seven days can not wait.

                                                                                             bojangles

Getting ready by waiting... It sucks but its good to make sure that everything is done. one more week then on a long car ride followed by an even longer walk.. Sounds like fun.

                                                                                             Curly

Soon

We went on a training hike this weekend at Big South Fork. It was a good hike to make sure everything was ok. Almost there 13 days.

Home

Well we just got our tent, or should i say our home for the next 4 months.  22 days till we leave, still trying to get everything in place, will be great to finally be hiking and out in the woods.

                   Bojangles

The trail

AT 2009

Finishing all the last minute planning for the hike. Can't wait to finally be on the trail. Expecting to leave Springer mtn. April 26th

Bojangles(Mark)

Sitting around helping with the Hike planning... scribing... A few last minute things before the hike but it works.

Curly(Aaron)