Date: 2018-12-15
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Miles today: 0.0

(12/13) Before sunrise I started to pack up for the last time. It didn't seem too cold today. Since I didn't find water last night I made coffee using the remaining punch I had in my one water bottle. It wasn't too bad. After that I refilled the stove a few times to burn the remainder of fuel I had. I watched the last of the fuel burn out with mixed emotion then finished packing up. I don't remember what time it was and I guess it didn't matter anyway, the journey is over. Its over, Lake.I hiked the two miles to the Amicalola Lodge trying not to dream about breakfast in case it was closed. But it was open and I was glad. I had a choice of a cold breakfast or a warm breakfast. Of course I chose the warm breakfast. The service was great but as in the past the food was mediocre. But I didn't care, it was warm food. The view out the large windows to the south and southwest was outstanding. The mountains of Georgia are beautiful.They tugged at my heart.I left the lodge and headed to Amicalola Falls and the steps.The falls is the highest east of the Mississippi River and that equals 600+ steps going down the beautiful falls. At the bottom is a paved path perhaps a quarter mile long leading to a pond. Along that stretch I left my boots that I wore from Dry Tortugus Island near Key West, Florida all the way up to Amicalola Falls State Park while doing the Eastern Continental Trail in 2012. I had hoped to locate them today but nothing looked familiar and I was too tired for an extended search. I tried one ledge but nothing found. Perhaps its for the better that they remain in their final state of rest.At the park visitors center a female ranger had me sign the AT log book then offered a free soda or ice cream. I asked where the showers were and she directed me up the way I just came to a bath house. At the bath house I saw myself in the mirror; skinny and ragged. After the shower I went down to the park office visitors and bought a few things and a free Coke. I thanked the two people in there and went outside. A few weeks ago I emailed Ron Brown of Appalachian Trail Shuttle and he was to pick me up at noon. We emailed back and forth the whole time so that he knew my progress and he encouraged me along. At noon he arrived and took me to Dahlonega in his Pathfinder with 500,000 miles on it. A very pleasant guy to talk to. He dropped me off in town where everything I needed was in a short walking distance. I thanked him and will see him tomorrow.I did laundry, then went to North Georgia Hair Cutters. I told the girl I need an emergency haircut. Vikki said "...an emergency hair cut it will be." I think she took off 10 pounds of hair. Not much left. Turns out her relatives live 20 miles from me in Pennsylvania.Afterwards I went to Dollar General, Rite Aid then to Dahlonega Mountain Inn. Within site was McDonald so I bought dinner there and later purchased two freezer burned pints of ice cream at a store down the street. Then I was in my room all night.(12/14) Ron picked me up at 11am and took me to Atlanta. Before 1pm he dropped me off at the Howard Johnson Wyndham hotel. I really appreciated his help and great conversation on the ride down. He headed out to shuttle some folks up in Tennessee. It was raining all day and check in wasn't until 3pm unless you paid an extra $30. But at 2pm the manager allowed all of us sitting there inthe lobby to check in due to the rain.I don't quite have asthma but almost do according to some tests I had last year.When I entered my room I thought I was going to have a breathing problem. Whoever was there before me had super strong cologne. I haven't had any issues for a few years but thought I was about to. I looked out the window from my 5th floor room and saw a McDonalds a block away. Nothing else around except hotels and apartments. I didn't want to switch rooms so I decided to turn the fans on and go get something to eat. The bathroom fan didnt work so only the heater/cooler fan hopefully would help.It was raining hard when I left the hotel. Worst was the six lane streets and the walk signals. I stood at the intersection for a long time waiting for the walk light going over and back. I noticed the sound of the trucks and cars going by seemed amplified with the wet road. Back at the hotel I was soaked but I had no further excursions for the evening. I settled in for a relaxing night.Today, 12/15, I was up at 4am to pack and make sure all was right for the TSA at the airport. I took the hotel shuttle to the airport. But at the airport I was so lost for awhile. Not where to go but what to do. As I stood in a line watching peoples' movements I discovered the long line I was in was to give the airline my luggage. First I had to go to an automated kiosk and pay for my backpack then to print out my ticket. My card would not work at first but going to another station all was well. Then back into the long line. An airport employee said we could check our luggage outside. Few went but I did and my pack was quickly taken and sent on my way. The guy said I need to go to Gate A-5. What a trip on escalators up and down and a subway shuttle. Then at gate A-5 it said New York. I ask a Delta person at a desk if that was where I was to go and she said yes. I said its say New York but she said it will change. I asked some people if the were going to Fort Myers and they said New York. They suggested I checked the board listing the flights. I did and the gate was changed. I got there just as they were starting to load. When I got on finally I really got the next to last seating location. I was in the last row and in seat E.Less than two hours later I was in Fort Myers, my backpack was waiting, and Heartrock picked me up immediately. We went to Dunkin Donuts for an emergency coffee then to her condo. She had made spaghetti and meatballs for me because a few days back I told her I craved it. We talked, took Brody fora walk, then she had to go to a wedding. I wasn't invited but that was good because the return to civilization overwhelmed my little brain for the day. Sitting through a wedding and the socialization later was out of the question. As I soaked in the tub looking at the fancy Italian tile all around (put in by previous owner) I so missed the simplicity of the trail and the camaraderie of all those I met on the trail. I thought I do not know where I belong. Civilization is so loud, busy and artificial. "...But we decide which is right and which is an illusion?"