Robby: Day One

Getting ready to start the AT!  Thanks for driving us Poppa Lip and Jimmy!!

We met a guy at the hotel who is thru-hiking, his name is Ox.  He needed a ride to the same spot we were starting, Rockfish Gap, and he also needed to go to Walmart and the post office... Weird coincidence but we also needed to go to those same spots.

It was nice dropping him off because he answered all of our questions and made us all feel more comfortable with the whole day.  He just finished 25 years in the army and was in the war. He lost 5 guys from his platoon and is hiking the trail for them.  Ox is also camping in the same hut as us tonight.  

It was nice getting here and seeing him and again, he was super helpful with anything and everything we needed...  His friends sure do know how to make some good beef jerky! lol He gave us a package and we gave him a couple of protein bars.

There are 4 or 5 guys from Kentucky staying in the shelter and they have a dog named River.

Our Water Filter (add water and squeeze it through a filter)

Yay!!  Water

I'm glad we set our tents up as it kind of gives you some privacy.  When we were filtering water a guy named Ramble walked into camp.  Really nice guy... After about 10-15 minutes I understood how he got the name Rambler!  Haha, but he is also super nice! He is finishing his hike from last year and was full of great stories about The Whites, Vermont, and Mount Katahdin.  Right before I got into my tent for the night I noticed he has a hammock setup... We might get a hammock once summer hits because they are really comfortable!

First Day Tent Set Up!!

Ox showed us how he hung his food in the tree.  It was nice to see someone do it. It might not seem like that big of a deal but it’s kind of stressful if you've never hung food.  We already had our food up on a bear pole so we didn't have to use a tree today.

Earlier today I was walking and Jeff was a little bit in front of me, almost out of sight, and Maggie was behind me, almost out of sight... Jeff gave me a bird call to make sure I was behind him.  I gave him a call back and just saw his legs before they went out of sight up the mountain.  I looked back and saw Maggie's head popping up over a rock behind me. It was such a good feeling to see Jeff and Maggie and know that I was in the middle.  It made me think of how lucky we are to be out here and how happy I am that both of them are out here with me! I guess I was living in the moment but I'll tell you what, I know this is what I'm supposed to be doing right now and I'm with the people I'm supposed to be hiking with.

Maggie filtering our water

Ox was telling us how everyone is willing to help hikers out.  Young or old, people in these little hiking towns love to help thru-hikers.  A guy at the post office gave Ox his information and told him to call if he needed anything at all.  Seeing and hearing this gives me faith in humanity. We live in a crazy world and it is a crazy time to be on this earth.  It's a great feeling to see people helping hikers on this journey.

Jeff ahead of me on the AT

I was talking to Maggie earlier today about why I'm hiking the Appalachian trail.  I'm hiking for both of our parents, for our families, personal growth, for mine and Maggie's relationship, for our relationship with Jeff, and for so many other reasons.  Why not hike the Appalachian trail?! Momma Lip is a huge inspiration for all of us!  I know Poppa Lip would be here right now if he could!  I really want to make him proud and show him we can do this.  I would have liked to have been there with him when he was hiking the AT.  I called my mom earlier and it was so nice to talk to her and let her know we are safe and everything is ok.  I'm so lucky to have the mom I have.  She has always been there for me no matter what! I also called my Nanny and she was happy to hear from us.  I had to let her know we are safe and there's nothing to worry about!  We love you Nanny and Papaw!  

We have a great support system back home and we love each and every one of you! Thank you all so much!