Hi Friends, I Have Missed You Over The Last Two Weeks!

Hi Friends, I Have Missed You Over The Last Two Weeks! 03/29/2011

I've missed you these last two weeks! In my time off the mountain I have spent time with my family and friends, repaired a broken truck, fixed the pump in the spring house, overcome computer failures, the dog ate my homework............ To be honest I just didn't have time to blog the last time I came home! But I have the bushes beat back and I'm here again! My third and fourth Patrols on the AT were great and I'm getting geared up today to go back out tomorrow. For the most part the weather has been fairly miserable! But I have had some nice days among the bad! The Thruhikers are thick on the trail and Spring will eventually reach the ridges up in the top of the Smokies where the AT runs.

Home Sweet Home, Tenting Outside Of A Full Shelter On The AT

The Shelters have been full of Backpackers and Thruhikers. The greatest people in the world enjoying the most beautiful place in the world. When the shelter is full I set my tent up outside the shelter to give you a spot to stay. Our shelters along the AT in the Smokies hold twelve. I always move over to give you the spot that you reserved to stay in. I must say that Pam Rodgers and her staff of volunteers in the Back Country Reservations Office DO AN EXCELLENT JOB!!! If you want to come out and stay in one of our Shelters or Campsites in the Smokies give a call to (865)436-1297.
Speaking of an Excellent Job, the volunteers from the SMHC and the ATMC are out working on your Appalachian Trail. After a long hard winter and heavy Spring snow and rain the trail really held up well. But the volunteers are out cleaning up, clearing out, and giving back. I have many, many thanks to pass on from all the Thruhikers and Backpackers that I have the opportunity to interact with daily.

Family Time, Mom's Biscuits and Squirrel Gravy!!

I love going to Mom's when She is making those Biscuits! We celebrated my Dad's 39th birthday with Family, Friends and a Feast! Mom made Squirrel Gravy and Biscuits and a dozen other things! What a wonderful time!
It broke my heart that the Lady Vols lost in the tournament but at least I will have a little more time to get things done on my days off. It's been a dramatic basketball season for us UT fans and my nerves are glad it's done.

God Painted The Sky For Us To Enjoy At Sunset On The AT In The Smokies

Well, so far I've had more snow, ice, rain and clouds than calm, sunny skies! But that's OK with me. Spring is climbing up out of the hollers and God has blessed us with the opportunity to pass the time in the most beautiful place in the world, the Smo

Comments

Pat Morgan

03/29/2011 2:36pm

Beautiful pictures! It's good to hear that folks are able to be out hiking and enjoying the trails and beautiful scenery. It's been a long winter for all of us! Spring has been a bit delayed here in northeast Ohio but it will come soon enough!

Pat

PS: The biscuits look positively yummy!

Connie Houk

03/30/2011 8:07am

I have "patiently" been waiting for your update and so happy when I found it this morning. Squirrel gravy? Haven't had any of that since I was a small girl....makes me homesick for Gumstand. Faye's biscuits looks like what Mom use to make only bigger. And so glad your Dad celebrated his 39th birthday.....us McFalls never grow older.....its in the genes. I love the picture with the tent and hat with the mountains in the background. You have an eye for that. I hope you have a great week at work!

KrisMoose

03/30/2011 9:33am

Hi Doug....You have been missed greatly. We met a nice pair of siblings who were starting their AT hike a week ago this past Monday by spending the night at the Len Foote Inn. Not sure when they will get to this section of the world but their trail names are Hansel and Gretel. Be on the look out for them.

Mom

03/30/2011 2:49pm

Thanks for the blog update. Hope the weather is better this time out. Love you!!!! Stay safe!!!

Julia Turner

03/30/2011 9:19pm

Thanks for your updates. I'm sure you meet great people along the Trail. Looking forward to spring/summer photos too.

tomk

03/31/2011 11:24pm

I was wondering what had happened to you. You mentioned that the trail is soon to be thick with thru hikers. What is peak week for thru hikers in the park? During that time, how many tents are set up around shelters? I hiked the AT eastern half of the park, (Davenport to Newfound) with two high school buddies (Class of '76) last summer and sometimes there were as many as nine of us in a twelve man shelter. I would love to see a picture of an overstuffed shelter. It has to be near chaos!

We were amazed by the range of preparedness hikers had. Some were absolutely good to go, others were a mess. Are thru hikers any better?
Looking forward to your next post!

Millie

04/01/2011 12:02am

Hi Doug. Love the photo of your mom making biscuits. One of my faves now. It's really sweet that you like watching her making them. I know I love eating them!!!!!! See you when you get home.

Kathy Poncy link

04/01/2011 1:20pm

I've missed ya Doug, and am so thankful to wake up to this beautiful post this morning. Put me in your pocket and take me with you next time out. Oh how my soul yearns for the Smokies.

Many blessings to you,
Kathy in Bend, OR

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