(2/21) It Begins

    Today we woke up early and drove to the airport. Our flight is at 8:40 and we will have a two hour layover in Maryland. We expect to get to Greenville SC around 2:30 at which point Tyler’s friend, Andrew will pick us up and drive us to the Amicalola Falls Visitor Center, stopping at a Walmart on the way to buy our first food supply. We will arrive at Amicalola around 7 pm, set up our tents and camp at the base of the trail.

     It’s exciting to be starting but I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. Maybe after a couple days of hiking I will realize the magnitude of what we are doing. Right now I’m just looking forward to being  done with flying and get started. I’ll keep everyone posted as tomorrow plays out.

Later that day:

     We just got to our campsite at the Amicalola state park lodge. It’s like a big lodge area with many nice camp sites and cabins. We just set up camp for our first time (in the dark, I might add). It will be a somewhat chilly night, hitting low 30’s. Tomorrow the lodge opens at 8:30 so we will sleep in until 8 or so and pack everything up to hit the trail for our first day. The stars are beautiful tonight.

     Andrew, Tyler’s family friend who picked us up from the airport, drove six to seven hours round trip just to pick us up and drop us off at the trailhead. We had a good time and I’m already struck by how generous and positive people are when they hear of the journey we are on.

      The trip here from the airport was somewhat long as we had to drive around 3 hours to get here. Stopped in a Walmart and got food for the next couple days. Now it’s time to put ourselves to the test.

I feel excited, like I can breathe deeply and think clearly. I hope this positivity continues as we hike. 

Goodnight.

Walker 

Check out Tyler’s blog too- https://tylerat2020.blogspot.com/?m=1