AT – Start to Smokies
I’ll fill this in when I’m not falling asleep. These are all pictures from Springer Mountain, GA to The Great Smokey Mountain National Park, North Carolina
Monument at the start of the “On-Ramp”
Clay and Lindsay, getting ready to start the Springer Approach!
The plaque at the Amicalola Visitor’s Center
Clay’s pack after weighing in!
We planned to leave Amicalola at 2pm. We actually made it on time!
Proof! Those are our starting semi-official trail numbers!
Lindsay hanging out in the first shelter.
Clay and Lindsay at mile 0.0. Springer Mountain, GA
The first white blaze on the Appalachian Trail
Looking towards Maine from Springer Mountain
Selfie on Springer!
Clay making breakfast in the Georgia Mountains
Lindsay makes her way through Georgia.
Aww, so cute…
Some of the incredible view’s of the Georgia Appalachians
Lindsay and Clay at the Georgia state line. 1 down!
Thank you for the trail “blessings”!!
The view off of Wayah Bald in North Carolina
Clay taking a break on the trail.
“The Fat Kids” roasting some marshmallows at camp one night!
‘Chef’ working away on our bacon and home fries!
The crew hanging out in the afternoon, happy to have a day off our feet!
Lindsay digging into a breakfast that isn’t oatmeal or granola!
The shelters in the Smokies are mandatory to stay in but fortunately really well made!
Crossing Fontana Dam and entering the Smokies
Lindsay, ‘Chubby Bunny’ and ‘Rogan’ walking towards Fontana Dam
Officially entering the Smokies!
This is trillium, it is beautiful and grows everywhere!
I found a tree, it looked nice.
Lindsay and “Chubby Bunny” – aka Joanna
Lindsay and ‘Archangel’ keeping us warm in the shelter!
Drying out our 12 hiker’s gear by camp fire in the Smokies
More campfire clothes drying.
Lindsay posing before going through the rain in the Smokies
Clay posing on Rocky Bald, one of the famous viewpoints in the Smokies. It was raining.
(L to R) “Have-To”, Lindsay, “Rogan”, “Mogley” and “Rabbit” – We have no idea what their real names are.
Lindsay watching the sunrise at Clingman’s Dome
‘Chef/That’s What She Said” posing on Clingman’s Dome
Lindsay getting checked out by the Park Rangers waiting for the ambulance.
Lindsay bundled up, smiling through the face of adversity after dislocating her tailbone.
Ryan ‘Rogan’ at Clingman’s Dome
One of my favorite quotes on the trail!
Smokey Mountains to Virginia Border
Here our the pictures from the Smokey Mountain National Park to the Virginia Border in Damascus, VA.
Lindsay enjoying some nice rest time while icing her butt in the Comfort Inn.
Hanging out with Clay’s parents after Lindsay dislocated her tailbone.
Lindsay hanging out a few days after getting hurt.
Clay and his dad playing horseshoes and a NC campground during the recovery time.
Hunter, sleeping in a horseshoe pit… he gets hot.
Working off my rent on Matty’s truck while we were in Fayetteville and Lindsay healed up.
Some really cool dead tree bark that we liked.
Hunter hanging out while we cook breakfast
Supposedly this is an FAA navigation tower. Looks like a UFO space ship to me.
We’re almost there! … to Hot Springs, that is.
Lindsay and Hunter in the flower blossoms.
Hiking up the the summit of max patch
“Artistic Shot” on Max Patch Bald
Hunter and Lindsay, hanging out on Max Patch
Hunter loving life in the cool breeze on Max Patch Bald
Hunter walking through the “Green Tunnel”
Hunter and Bear… stressful day!
Lindsay and George, our new hiking buddy, eating breakfast in Hot Springs
Lindsay, Hunter, George & Bear walking the “AT” in Hot Springs, NC
Posing for a nice shot on top of the balds after Roan Mtn.
Awesome valley we walked through after leaving Erwin, TN
Lindsay and Hunter pose in front of a perfectly placed AT sign somewhere in Virginia.
The note and journal left in the trail magic cooler.
Clay posing with the trail magic cooler. Yay!
The Fat Kids, Mummy Foot and the dogs!
Lindsay, Clay and Hunter on a ridgeline in NC.
Lindsay covering Hunter in during the hail storm
Virginia Border to Shenandoah National Park (Southern Boundary)
Latest update of photos bringing us through the Virginia Highlands and up to the start of the Shenandoah National Park.
-
- The neat sign marking the end of the NC/TN shared section.
-
- Lindsay and the puppies enjoying move night in the common area.
-
- Clay cleaning up the driveway as part of his work-for-stay
-
- The Black Bear Lodge
-
- Laurel Falls with an artistic touch. Turned out alright!
-
- Lindsay and George hiking in the rain, good friends make the bad days better.
-
- White blaze is a happy blaze. He makes walking in the rain better.
-
- Passing the 100lbs dog covered in cow crap over a barbed wire fence… the things you do on the AT
Boots to Birks 
Pingback: Appalachian Trail Photo Journal | Boots to Birks
Thanks for the updates and the pics kids! Glad to see that Lindsay is up and about. Watch your ass never sounded sound so literal. I love keeping up with your adventure! Beth doesn’t though. She’s jealous and self absorbed. I love you though!
Love, Scott
That’s possibly my favorite comment we have so far. I would say screw Beth but then you would have to design the book cover and I would like someone to want to pick it up off the shelf and read it…