More Appalachian Trail Pictures

Here are some more pictures from my too short journey. I wish I was still out there...For Full View click on picture.
A couple of days north of Hot Springs North Carolina


Exposed Ridge. It was about 95 degrees on this sketchy rock trail.

Random Graves on the trail. I remember one of them was a three year old from the 1860s.

Flowers on Big Bald.

Flea, Tarock, and the gang cook steaks for Tarock's birthday! The trail made grill is made from random barbed wire strips and sticks. The rust really added to the flavor. I am thankful to Socket and Flea for lugging these steaks from "the real world." They did offer me a few bites, and boy were they good!


Our First Turn style.

Two Weeks

Well folks, I'm back in Colorado. Unfortunately, I had to cut the journey short due to a stress fracture in my right tibia. I also developed compartment syndrome which caused intense swelling in my feet. If I would have continued on I could have done serious damage to my limbs. The pain was pretty miserable too. All in all I had a great time and met some cool people. I hiked about 200 miles from Hot Springs, North Carolina to Damascus, Virginia. My favorite section of the hike was from Roan Mountain to Hump Mountain along the Tennessee North Carolina border. It was a day spent around 5 to 6 thousand feet with several bald peaks offering 360 degree views. We watched storms circle the peaks, but we got lucky in peaking at exactly the right time. I have posted several pictures from the journey. Check em out- (Click to Enlarge Each Pic)

Cheese Whistle Standing atop Big Bald Mountain!

Blisters Starting to make it painful with every step.

Burned out area along the trail.

Dead bear we saw on the side of the road. This thing was pretty damn big, although you can't really tell from the pic.

Team Excessive- (left to right: Cheese Whistle, Socket, Flea, Optimus, Tarock)

Some random horses chilling up on Hump Mountain. They followed us for about 30 minutes hoping for some hand outs.

About to climb up Hump Mountain. This was definitely my favorite peak of the trail so far. It was much steeper than it looks.

Taken From Jane Bald.

Coming down into Erwin Tennessee- Nolichucky River

Round Bald

Cool sky as the sun was getting lower in the sky. I was on mile 23 or a 24 mile day. Approaching Dennis Cove.

My swollen foot/blisters. I could hardly walk for a few days.

Damascus, Virginia the end point of the journey.

I look forward to finishing the trail someday. It would be nice to have Tasha along for the journey next time.

Day5

Greetings from Erwin Tenn, I'm currently using the slowest computer of all time. Anyways, I've been on the trail for 5 long days. As of this morning I smelled worse than a fish factory. The terrain has been rugged, the views few and far between, and the pain in every step unbelievable! The few views have been worth it though. I will post pictures when I get home. I met 4 other dudes from the state of Connecticut whom I've been hiking with the past 4 days. We spilt a room tonight and are getting back on the trail tomorrow. I'll probably post again in 7 or 8 days when I get to Damascus Virginia. I'm alive and somewhat well. Keep me in your thoughts...

Cheese Whistle

Appalachian Trail

Now that I've been let go at my job I have some free time on my hands. A few years ago I was able to tackle about 300 miles of the Appalachian Trail. As of next week I will begin a month and a half journey of 700 miles on the trail. This week I am getting ready with all the packing and buying of last minute items. I am excited to get out into the wilderness, let my thoughts fly, gather my thoughts, listen to nature, hike 15-20 miles a day, and get away from the daily grind of the typical American day. It won't be fun when I get back when I have to begin my job search again. There's pretty much nothing worse than not having a job in a crappy market and applying for hundreds of jobs a month. Anyway, I hope to keep you posted along the way.

My goal is to start from Hot Springs North, Carolina and end up in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia (the half way point on the trail).

Hot Springs-

Harper's Ferry-

6/8

I wake up to dream my life away.

But I avoid sleep to keep up with reality.

On Looking for a Job- By, Charles Bukowski

"I couldn't get myself to read the want ads. The thought of sitting in front of a man behind a desk and telling him that I wanted a job, that I was qualified for a job, was too much for me. Frankly, I was horrified by life, at what a man had to do simply in order to eat, sleep, and keep himself clothed. So I stayed in bed and drank. When you drank the world was still out there, but for the moment it didn't have you by the throat."

Observation

My God - it's time to sleep tonight. The golden slumber. My face twitches with anticipation on long ago dreams. Are they worth exploring my friend? The church wants me to sleep. TV background, work in fact town, cape charge demon on rides along christmas boulevard. You're just the man I wanted to see, Charlie. I'm thinking of a master plan! A plan to write the weekly column, something from the hips of time. Don't allude me now sweet mistress because I plan on exploring you in every way.

"Listen To This Son!"

It's that time again. I've compiled another mix for you's wise guys. I've included some newer tracks that I can't get enough of these days, and I threw in a couple of older tracks that I used to really dig. I hope you enjoy.

Please click on the link to download... Listen to this son

What's on your mind? This is what's on my mind at 1:23 AM

What are you thinking about right now? This second.

1:14 AM Tonight, tonight.

I’m going to take it from the top.

I’m just a man, up late, on this date, something to say.

I want to be Noah building your arc, creating your Michelangelo art, singing your favorite song.

When I take my medicine I’m a happy man. When you take your medicine you smile at my smile.

Tonight, tonight.

Rolling with the rock. Rolling with the twirl of time.

The city by the mountain reflects a happy mess of white and grey.

With that grey I play, I create with your mind clay, and build the biggest and finest house you’ve ever seen.

Debussy writes in the night. Bach writes his fugues with a fondness only seen in the right air.

Tonight, tonight.

Buried alive in a ball of slimy twine, a twine that reeks of heaven and laughter.

I’m going to dig to the bottom.

I’m going to find my treasure deep within the fertilized ground.

The ground will giggle with my golden touch, drum beat pattern, dig baby dig!

Tonight, tonight.

Goodbye Sweet Muse

Thou Power! who hast ruled me through Infancy's days,
Young offspring of Fancy, 'tis time we should part;
Then rise on the gale this the last of my lays,
The coldest effusion which springs from my heart.

This bosom, responsive to rapture no more,
Shall hush thy wild notes, nor implore thee to sing;
The feelings of childhood, which taught thee to soar,
Are wafted far distant on Apathy's wing.

Though simple the themes of my rude flowing Lyre,
Yet even these themes are departed for ever;
No more beam the eyes which my dream could inspire,
My visions are flown, to return,--alas, never!

When drain'd is the nectar which gladdens the bowl,
How vain is the effort delight to prolong!
When cold is the beauty which dwelt in my soul,
What magic of Fancy can lengthen my song?

Can the lips sing of Love in the desert alone,
Of kisses and smiles which they now must resign ?
Or dwell with delight on the hours that are flown ?
Ah, no! for those hours can no longer be mine.

Can they speak of the friends that I lived but to love?
Ah, surely Affection ennobles the strain!
But how can my numbers in sympathy move,
When I scarcely can hope to behold them again?

Can I sing of the deeds which my Fathers have done,
And raise my loud harp to the fame of my Sires?
For glories like theirs, oh, how faint is my tone!
For Heroes' exploits how unequal my fires!

Untouch'd, then, my Lyre shall reply to the blast--
'Tis hush'd; and my feeble endeavors are o'er;
And those who have heard it will pardon the past,
When they know that its murmurs shall vibrate no more.

And soon shall its wild erring notes be forgot,
Since early affection and love is o'ercast:
Oh! blest had my Fate been, and happy my lot,
Had the first strain of love been the dearest, the last.

Farewell, my young Muse! since we now can ne'er meet;
If our songs have been languid, they surely are few:
Let us hope that the present at least will be sweet--
The present--which seals our eternal Adieu.

-Lord Byron