Jeanne's Appalachian Trail Adventure

A Camino shell shaped mushroom, I found on the Appalachian Trail.  I have a major announcement! I'm pivoting to Spain from the Appalachian Trail. My wonderful husband Mark gave me a lovely surprise for my 60th birthday, a couple of weeks ago. He gave me an airline ticket to Spain so I could walk/hike the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James).  I will be starting the Camino Frances in a few days. The Camino Frances starts from St. Jean Pied de Port at the base of the Pyrenees in France and crosses the entire northern part of the country of Spain for at least 500 miles. Another 70 if I go to Finisterra, the western coast.  The Camino has been my dream for years. I was supposed to go in early 2020. Covid canceled it. I am beyond excited for this opportunity. My daughter Alyssa and her boyfriend will be hiking the first portion with me from France to Pamplona.  I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful husband and daughters. They are more than I ever dreamed of. ...

I spent a couple of days with Ann exploring the Pigeon Forge area. We rode the Pigeon Forge trolly all around the area. Stopped and shopped in the different stores.  We also did part of a wine tour and a moonshine tasting. Good thing we weren't driving, lol. Actually the wine tour was 4 wineries many hours apart. Ziplining on Friday and then we drove to Knoxville.  Ann had an early morning flight to Florida.  Mark flew to Atlanta on Friday and drove to Knoxville Saturday morning.  Everything is coming up bears! Moonshine tasting  Moonshine tasting - Cheers! Sunset in the mountains  Adorable 50's themed diner Reuben with avocado  Wildfires in Smokey Mountain National Park  Ziplining adventure  We had Thai food for dinner. This was in my fortune cookie! Camino de Santiago here I come!

Mt. Collins Shelter to Newfound Gap  4.9 miles Total miles 207.7 My last Appalachian Trail hike for now. I hiked out with Stumpknocker Mark. We hiked the same pace and were meeting the section hiker Jack at Newfound Gap. The views today were spectacular.  The road out of the park, Newfound Gap, was closed today due to high winds. They were not letting any cars into the park at all. I was very fortunate that Jack had offered me a ride and his car was already in the park. I don't know what, if anything, the other hikers were going to do. I prayed that everyone was safe.  I checked into the Margaritaville Inn in Pigeon Forge. I'm here until Friday morning. Ann Shepard, a childhood friend, is flying in to spend a few days with me. We haven't seen each other in fifteen years.  Lunch, shower, and laundry.  Firetrucks have been zooming by. The wildfires must be bad. I'm also hearing loud gusts of wind.

Silers Bald Shelter to Mt. Collins Shelter  7.3 miles Total miles 202.8 Today's hike was a lot longer than I anticipated. I was very happy at the beginning. I feel like I might have my trail legs. It was also supposed to be my last day hiking the Appalachian Trail before leaving for Spain.  My shuttle driver, who I messaged three times about the Clingmans Dome road, didn't show up. The road was closed. He should have checked since it's his job and I asked him 3 times! Anyway, I wasn't in the best mood for a couple of hours. Luckily, I am in a much better mood now. The hike was very pretty today. The mountainous terrain has turned into mountain pines. I wish the sun had been shining. It would have photographed better.  Stumpknocker and a section hiker named Jack are in this shelter today. Jack offered Stumpknocker and I a ride out of the park tomorrow. Ann Shepard, a childhood friend, is meeting me in Pigeon Forge.  The shelter is very busy tonight. I'll definitely n...