Sprout Day 185 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)

We woke up today with temperatures colder than it has been in some time. It was in the high 40s - low 50s. It was cold enough for me to put on some pants and my jacket. I bundled up and put water on for breakfast early. I could even see my breath. It was a little cool but perfect hiking weather once you get moving.

We went 12.7 miles with some steep incline changes. We would've made it further but we had a storm roll through and we waited it out in a shelter. After the storm passed we went another three miles. I am lying here now and listening to another the thunderstorm close by. I hope it doesn't get too bad out there but we're ready for it if it gets bad.

After hiking for 2.7 miles, we made it to the top of a 1,400 foot incline change. At the top was a sign of the Eastern Continental Divide. Water on one side of the mountain leads to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico and the other side leads to the James River and the Atlantic Ocean.

There are ledges with a view towards the direction of tomorrow’s sunrise. We are getting up early and heading that way so hopefully there will be a nice sunrise in the morning.

Our day was epic because we hit 1500 miles and it's our 6 month anniversary on trail! It feels great to still be on trail and it's crazy to think we've walked 1500 miles!!! Life is good on the Appalachian Trail. l I love being out here and getting closer to our goal, Springer Mountain!

We went past a cool memorial for Audie Murphy one of the most decorated war veterans. There were some benches up there, a big flag, and a bunch of other things people took up there. It was a great memorial.

We made it 1500 miles!

Day: 185
Miles hiked: 12.7
Total Miles hiked on the trail: 1512.1
Baby Bear: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Bluegill: 2
Butterflies: 8
Chipmunks: 3
Cows: 24
Crawfish: 1
Deer: 20
Donkeys: 2
Grouse: 1
Horses: 15
Hummingbird: 1
Inchworm: 1
Really Big Dog: 1
Mice: 2
Moose: 2
Nest of bugs: 2
Newts: 2
Owl: 1
Rabbit: 1
Red Squirrel: 1

Skunk: 1
Snail: 1
Snake: 3
Squirrels: 12
Toads: 3
Trout: 2
Turkeys: 4
Turtles: 107
Vultures: 6
Woodpecker: 1