Date: 2004-04-03
From: Amicalola State Park

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: clear sky

The gift of a gorgeous, sunny, warm day was mine as I began a journey into the unknown. It's been a week filled with anticipation, excitement, tears, and a constant battle with fear and trepidation. For months I've been saying 10 miles down the road I'd dispense with all concerns about leaving my home for six months. I lied: it was only 1-1/2 miles! Today I imagined it would take a few hours of walking to dissipate the fears. Again, I was wrong: it took about two minutes! I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the approach trail, which I had heard was quite a challenge, was more than manageable. After reading in the handbook that "the climb out of Amicalola State Park is very difficult so it is wise to get a ride to the Top of the Falls," I decided not to be heroic on my first day. Ann's driving me up knocked 1.3 miles off the approach trail. Now I feel I could have handled it just fine. But with all the butterflies in my stomach and all the doubts I was entertaining, it was the best decision at the time.As I was checking off small landmarks as detailed in the handbook, I was thinking I was traveling ultra-slowly and had some 5.5 miles to go. How delighted I was when I came upon the sign saying Springer Mountain 3.4 miles! When I did reach the summit I came upon a group of 8-10 people sitting on a rocky plateau. After I walked nearly completely around them I saw the plaque - I was there! I was on the summit of Springer Mountain, the southernmost terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The AT is marked with white blazes; all other trails are marked with blue or yellow blazes. Sure enough, on one side of the plaque was a blue blaze (the approach trail), on the other a WHITE blaze. Glen, the caretaker of this particular highly-used area was sharing facts and details about the AT, some of its history, and commenting on the culture of the hiking community, past and present, good and bad. After some Kodak moments and an hour of warm educating conversation, I proceeded to hike the short .2 mile to this locale where I presently sit. The sun is setting, there's a bright moon, a very chilly wind. I'm bundled up, my tummy is warmed by some vegan mac and cheese. A few are returning to the summit to see the sunset. I decided against doing so. I'd rather spend this time writing thank you's and putting my thoughts on paper. As this hike passes, I'm sure many of my journal entries will be simple facts with no poetic or intelligent deep thoughts whatsoever.   My prep entries were few, giving very little insight into who I am and why I'm doing this ... perhaps because I'm not sure myself. Over the next few weeks I will attempt to express some of the emotions I will be experiencing in conjunction with the bare facts of the journey. I will share with you some of my belief system and I will allow you to have a peek into my soul as I undoubtedly will undergo quite a transformation over these next six months.Because the local paper is following my journey and publishing parts of my journal, I will try to share what I feel is interesting and might serve as an inspiration to each of you as you travel your own life paths. In return I ask for your continued prayers and support. Thank you all so much. "So --- with all the out-of-the-way things that have been happening," Alice thought, "nothing really is impossible." ~~ from a plaque in Jane and Dave's garden, Atlanta, GA