These Guys Brought Magic With Them

We met Dude and Woodstock at one of the Smoky Mtn shelters who were great company. These guys were industrious, creating a fire to help keep the chill off.
We shared outdoor stories. The Dude shared some GREAT venison jerky and dehydrated cherry tomatoes that he had made.  In a moment of irony,we were eating the jerky when a tame doe came around to discern if we would share any food.
There was a great moon that night too that we all enjoyed. When we remarked that it seemed that they brought the moon, Dude used a good campfire story voice to respond ... "Maybe we aren't really here. Maybe we were two hikers that were killed at this site ten years ago and sometimes we come back." 

Clingman's Dome

Watch "Clingman's Dome --highest point on the AT" on YouTube
Below are some additional photos from the area.
We've posted a separate blog re: a neat couple we met at the Dome.  
One photo we didn't capture from this area were some root balls of some massive trees that had been pulled up and lay exposed from a massive storm.  The root balls were 8-10 feet in diameters and had pulled up large boulders with them.  In the shaded areas, it provided an eerie eerie effect.  You thought the roots were going to start moving.

Record Setters

We had a nice visit with this fit, engaging couple on Clingsman's Dome. There was a funny coincidence re: the AT. They had been in Maine 3 days ago. Someone mentioned that the AT was nearby so they hiked to Katahdin - the AT's northern terminus. The next day they spontaneously decided to visit the southern point of the AT (Springer Mtn) so they did it - cruising down the AT via a plane ride in a day. Guess they could hold some kind of AT record!
Next day they came up to the highest point on all the AT - Clingmans Dome. Glad they did and we had a chance to meet them. Sounds like they make the most of everyday, with great attitudes.  The visit gave us some extra energy for the rest of the day. 

Storing Food Away From Bears

Watch "Storing Food from Bears" on YouTube
Besides bears, rain and small critters are other considerations when we daily decide where to store our food.

Inspirational Is An Understatement

We ran across this quiet gentlemen at a couple of the Smoky Mtn shelters. You notice right off that he has a great speaking voice. Turns out that he was on the trail for a few days of mental and physical rejuvenatation. From what, you ask? Whew! Let's see. He and his wife run a facility in GA for international refugees. Their focus changes depending on the most pressing needs e.g.  any one at risk of being executed by death camps if they are deported?
They are running his facility from a site originally intended to be a manufacturing site for simple solar devices for everyday use that Don created. (He is a mechanical engineer). The plan is to get back to this project in the future.
Don does a great deal of work with Habitat for Humanity - initially in the US but lately overseas. He had an amazing story of christians and muslims celebrating together for the first time in years after they did some Habitat for Humanity building in their community in Lebanon. He is also working to create a similar program in NORTH Korea. No kidding.
Oh, he was also one of the first 200 people Al Gore trained to spread the global warming message.
Bottom line - here is a very authentic someone going out and following his passions with thoughtfulness, resilience and tenacity. 
I understand he's written some nonfiction books about some of his experiences - Don Moseley. Looking forward to finding them!
Oh and he decided to leave the trail alittle early and shared some yummy food. Trail magic!

AT FAQs

Watch "Appalachian Trail Q & A" on YouTube
We have enjoyed reading comments, related stories and insights from everyone while on the trail. Although we haven't figured out how to respond via our phone, wanted to do something.
Warning: This is a longer vid!!

Three Generations of Hikers

This group of hikers were efficient during their few days out. Folks had assigned jobs and you could tell each had selected their Mtn House meals (pricey, yummy) before the trip.
Granddad was the gentle organizer and is a retired paramedic that sometimes had to make rescues on the AT. He, his son and grandson have hiked together before.
Everyone already had trailnames.  The granddad's trailname was Dragon Butt (draggin butt) because he was he slowest hiker in his group. His son (hardrock) is an amateur athlete celebrated his birthday the day we took his pic. Rounding up the group are: Trailmaster, DoubleUp, Freeloader.