Date: 2014-03-31
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 19: 31 March 2014 Saying Good By to Guy on a Buffalo at the NOCRoberta and I will take Michael back to the trail at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, where he can get a permit to hike through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.I gave the cross that Deacon Patti gave me, to Buffalo, as something from me to carry to Maine. He went into action to get all his gear together and packed. He's taking my sleeping pad as extra insulation with his stripped-down version, at least through the Smoky Mountains. Wise idea, if you could see his sleeping pad!We finally left the house at about 9:30am. A sunny, warm day. At the Outdoor Center, he went to the outfitter shop. Upstairs was the computer to self-permit for the park (with a $20 fee). It's not all that easy: go to the park website for self-permits, fill out the form and pay, get confirmation notice sent to your email, retrieve that email for the registration number, go back to the park website for permit, memorize registration number from email to type in park website to retrieve permit, print permit. (Or something crazy like that.) But then the printer wasn't printing. Well, it didn't have paper, but even then it still didn't print. A guy from the shop came over and said that you might have to shut it down and rebout it. Oh, the old Death and Resurrection treatment! Finally, he got his permit. Ya Hoo!While Buffalo was working on gettinng his permit, a guy and girl we'd met from the motel in Franklin, came by. Told the guy that I wasn't going any further. He was very sympathetic.Well, it's time to hit the trail. Buffalo got his pack out of the car and headed over the railroad tracks to the trail.By Buffalo. God be with you! We hugged and parted. "Don't forget to call Dad to tell him to send my next box and include Aqua Mira in it!" (He forgot to get the Aqua Mira from my pack.)By the time I walked back to the car, Buffalo was up the hill and out of site! He'll be bookin' now!Dear Readers,Guy on a Buffalo wasn't interested in keeping the daily online journal for this trip; that was my job! Buffalo may occasionally update, but it's not for certain. He will keep in contact with me and Marty, and I will post that update. Also note that the mail drop Estimated Time of Arrival will not be correct; he'll be getting up the trail MUCH faster now! Please also know that we have greatly appreciated everyone's support and encouragement, I especially.I want to thank Marty, my husband for supporting this crazy adventure; the choir and altar guild at St. Christopher's Church for giving us a great send-off and filling in after my absence; family and friends who supported me personally and through our Guest Book; Roberta, Dave, and Donna for their gracious hospitality between getting off the trail and flying home; Solo, Rock Hopper, Greg, Tortoise, and Paul for their friendship along the trail; and especially Michael for allowing me to dream big and helping me to have a grand adventure! It will be a time to remember - the hardships, the pain, but most of all, hiking 137 miles on the Appalachian Trail with my son (plus 8.8 miles on the approach trail!)Love to all,The Mum and.....