Tuesday

 April 29th

Here are some happy things from today:

• Gideon was looking up at the bookshelf today and asked, “What is The Book of Virtues?”  To which Bel and I both said that it was a book of virtues, and laughed.  Gideon wanted more information, but all Bel and I had were puns.  For a few minutes, Gideon started reading the book, and that made me happy.  

Gideon reading on the new couch.

• Now that I'm home I have fallen into the habit of doom scrolling.  I started with watching someone that tends to be inspirational.  Then I saw some art on books.  A little later I was learning a little bit of the history and techniques of fore-edge painting.  Here is a link. It is amazing what some people can do artistically.  
• In the afternoon I went out for a short walk.  One of the first things I noticed are all the flowers in the yard that are in bloom.  There are areas with so many weeds I am happily surprised that things like tulips came up.  

• While walking I also noticed a chipmunk and some sparrows busily searching for food.  There are ferns getting ready to open.  Spring is in full swing.

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Currently listening to: The Archer, by Paulo Coelho.

Thank you for being here and being part of my daily happy things. Stay safe!

Home Again

April 28th

The first night back home and I fell asleep before getting my blog finished.  Here are some happy things from today:

• We drove all night and got home in the early afternoon.  Our drivers had time constraints so we only took quick stops and one short breakfast stop.  It was good to get home and out of the car.  Sitting so long like that tends to hurt.  I'm very thankful for the ride home.
• Keziah and Gideon were out enjoying a day at Plimoth Patuxet (formally Plymouth Plantation).  Zed was home working and we got to say hello.  Catch up time waited until dinner.  It was really nice to be able to heat some food up in the microwave for lunch and rest for a bit.  They got new comfy living room furniture while we were gone.  Nanni (our brown tabby cat) was happy to see me and get some attention.  Winston (the orange tabby) either ignored me or would sit staring like he didn't know me.  
• When everyone was home we had some family time.  Catching up and sharing stories from the last few weeks was fun.  It was only about two weeks, but it seemed longer.  I'm missing the trail.

I only took a few pictures today:

Pre-sunrise.  The phone didn't want to focus in the dim light.  I fell asleep again soon after taking this picture. 

Going over the Hudson River.
The New York City skyline can sort of be seen in the distance.

Sunsetting.

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Thank you for being here and being part of my daily happy things. Stay safe!

April 27th Going Home

 April 27th

Last night, while I couldn't sleep, I kept trying to decide what my next move should be.  In the end, I realized that I really should be listening to my body and not my indecisive mind.  I have a seemingly minor skin condition that I've had very little problems with at home.  That has not been my experience yet on the trail.  There is a possibility of infection if I can't tend to it better.  Until I figure out a way, that isn't going to happen on the trail.  I'm going home.  

So today was very much a zero day.  We mostly stayed in the hotel room and napped.  Our ride from home came to pick us up in the early evening.  We will be home Monday.  I'm feeling bittersweet.  

We appreciate all the well wishes and encouragement that we have received.  Thank you.

The tree outside the hotel room.

Sunset

☮

Thank you for being here and being part of my daily happy things. Stay safe!

April 26th-Siler Bald

 April 26th

Somehow, maybe because I slept so well the night before last, I didn't sleep well last night.  Perhaps I was getting too used to the sleeping bag? Or not having a real pillow?  Part of my poor night’s sleep had to do with the occasional slamming door or footsteps from the room above us in the hotel.  Whatever the reason, the first part of today's hike was harder because I was tired.

The hotel had a good breakfast.  Bel and I tried to do some planning for going forward.  By the time breakfast was done, the tentative plan was for Bel to go home, get a vehicle, and come back to support me while I hike the trail.  Things changed, but I'll get to that later.

Princess Doah (trail name) and I got shuttled back to Rock Gap by Sherpa Al this morning.  The weather was foggy/overcast in Franklin, but not once we drove up the hill a bit.

Franklin is below the lower layer of clouds.

Princess Doah and I, ready to go!

Sherpa Al seeing us off.
Thank Sherpa Al for the previous picture.

As is the way with me, up takes some time. Talking helps the time go faster.  There were plenty of things to look at, too.  

Wild Geranium (Lens)

Waterfall 

Whorled Lousewort (Lens)

Bigger Bear Corn

I thought this looked like a deer head or dragon head.

It had flowers in the wooden antlers.

This might be Robin's Plantain. (Lens)

Rattlesnakeweed (Lens)

A little after this is when we reached the highest that the Appalachian Trail goes on this mountain, around 5001 feet.   Much of the AT skirts around the tops of mountains.  There are often opportunities to climb higher, but seldom due thru-hikers take these spurs.  We took the spur.  I wanted to see the first bald mountain in North Carolina and on the trail going north.  It was more than worth the climb.  The views were glorious.  

This, dear reader, is when it really sank in that I am not meant to thru-hike the AT.  It isn't about whether I can or not, it is that there is too much looking down at my feet, and not enough looking around at the beauty the world has in store. 

One of the things that people say about thru-hiking is to not quit on a bad day.  This was a wonderful day.  I'm not exactly quitting, but I am changing course.  Here are the pictures up to and atop Siler Bald at around 5261 feet.  I hope the panoramic pictures process well however you are viewing them.

These lovely dandelions were bright near the top of the mountain. 

We could see for miles and miles.  I am so glad I decided to go to the top.  I am so thankful that Princess Doah decided to come along for this part of my journey.  We headed back down the mountain.  Going down seemed to go by quickly.  We shared some of the AT stories and histories we have learned.  

I tried to take a picture of a bird.
I think I missed.  😁

Bridge.  We crossed a lot of water today.

Sherpa Al picked us up soon after we reached the bottom and my magical day started to come to an end.  I am sore, and happy, and a little sad too.  When I got back to the hotel, Bel told me about their day.  They had a good day too.  We are still ironing out the details for the next step.  Someone is coming to get us.  But it isn't over yet.

Pizza!!!!
From Leo's Caffe Italia in Franklin, NC.

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Thank you for being here and being part of my daily happy things. Stay safe!