Date: 2004-03-15
From: Approach Trail, Amicalola Falls SP, GA

To: Springer Mountain Shelter, GA
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I'll start this entry from Sunday, March 14th. I've had some technical issues with the PocketMail and this is my third attempt at writing this entry, so I'll do my best to recall the details.I was in Tampa, Florida this weekend for a cousin's wedding. On Sunday, March 14th, my mother and I drove the 550 miles from Tampa, Florida, to the Lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park, near Dawsonville, Georgia. Believe me, that was a long ten-hour day. The idea was to drive in my car to the start of the Approach Trail, drop me off on Monday, the 15th, and let my mother drive my car back home and store it for me while I am on the trail.We arrived close to dusk at the Amicalola Falls lodge, where I checked in and promptly met the mother of Bryan Garcia. Shortly there after, I met Bryan. Bryan and I were in contact via e-mail during the past few months and we both agreed to start from the Approach Trail on the morning of March 15.After exchanging "hellos," we went down to take a look at the falls before the sun set for the evening. It was turning chilly and the air was damp with light rain, but there was just enough time to walk down the unique staircase that was built to allow visitors to see the falls. It's really a work of art. The falls are 729 feet and are the tallest east of the Mississippi River.After visiting the falls, we returned to the lodge. The Amicalola Falls lodge is situated high on a hill, perhaps someone from Georgia would call it a mountain, but either way, the view is amazing. The lodge is old and doesn't have quite the charm as say some of the more reknown lodges in our National Parks, but it is well worth a stay. Every room has a great view and it would be a quick get-a-way for people living in the Atlanta metro area.A little later in the evening, I met another thru-hiker, KrispyKritter. He's also keeping a journal on Trailjournals.com. So, me, Brian aka Boo Boo, Krispy Kritter and our family members shared our thoughs, stories, and concerns about our trip at dinner and while hanging around near the entrance to the lodge. We decided to meet Peak-A-Boo and CuppaJoe at the visitor's center to "check-in," tomorrow at 9am. Peakaboo and CuppaJoe were still enroute to the park at the time.I thought it was funny that the dining room in the lodge advertised an Italian Buffet when the only thing Italian about it was a tray of lasagne. The other items included fried okra, fried cauliflower, and some other fried substance. It wasn't really an Italian meal.Cut to Monday, March 15I met Bryan, Bryan's family, Krispy Kritter, and his wife for breakfast in the lodge for our last "real meal" for a while. Shortly thereafter, we had our gear together and headed to the visitor's center to sign the register and say goodbye to or families. The Approach Trail begins directly behind the visitor's center and leads 8.8 miles to the *start* of the Appalachian Trail. This route is strenuous, but we felt like it was traditional to do this portion of the trail.Six of us gathered together (me, Peakaboo, CuppaJoe, Krispy Kritter, Beatbox, and Bryan Garcia), had our photos taken and departed around 9:20am. You may be able to see our group photo on Krispy Kritter's page. The air temp was 53 degrees, F., the wind calm, but a few rain showers persisted most of the day.Shortly after our departure, Beatbox, Bryan, and Krispy Kritter pulled ahead of the remaining three. I stayed with Peakaboo and CuppaJoe. The three of us had met months earlier on the Internet and had exchanged multiple e-mails regarding our preparations for this trip.It was tough going. No one has ever said that this first length of trail was easy. About seven hours later we reached the top of Springer Mountain, which is the official start of the Appalachian Trail. From there, we took pictures of the famous plaque designating the southern terminous of the trail. It was still raining, and not many photo opportunities existed beyond that.The three of us continued 0.2 miles on the official portion of the trail to the Springer Mountain Shelter. We had traveled 9.0 miles so far that day. The shelter had a few vacancies, but we decided to pitch our tents nearby.It was rather miserable to be in the rain and fog for the first day. I was still wondering what I was getting into. I was not really happy and excited to be starting on the trail even though I wanted to do this. I suppose I was really listening to my body and wondering and worrying about how well my knees would hold up, if I was prepared well enough, and etc. Shortly after eating in the rain, we all heard the sound of large-caliber automatic gunfire and explosions in the distance. That continued for about fifteen minutes. I was reassured that it was probably not the "Bubba Boys," but rather the Army Rangers from Camp Merrill who practice combat maneuvers in this area. (I hope these are the correct facts).Anyway, I secured anything that could get wet and got in my tent for the night. The night began to get very, very quiet. I don't recall in recent memory being in a location where it was so quiet. However, that was about to change.Around midnight, the wind started kicking up and with it more rain. You could hear the wind stirring down in the valley below and across the mountains, then up the side of Springer Mountain. Once I started to hear the wind, in a few minutes, I had to almost brace myself in the tent because it would shake the whole thing. The wind sounded like a jet airplane on takeoff, or perhaps it more closely resembled large waves crashing on the ocean shore. It was a rough first night. Six of us started the Approach Trail towards Springer Mountain. L to R: Peak-A-Boo, Boo Boo, Krispy Kritter, Beatbox (kneeling), Cuppa Joe, Fire Marshal. Photo courtesy of Krispy Kritter.Cuppa Joe and Peak-A-Boo catching their breath and resting on the steep Approach Trail to Springer Mountain. The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.The plaque marking the first white blaze on the southern end of the Appalachian Trail.