Thanksgiving in NC

We're stopping in for thanksgiving in North Carolina with the Ackermans, who have been acting as trail HQ for us. Kathy, Chris and Katie have been amazingly kind to us throughout our trip, and we're having great fun.

So, since we last spoke, we made it out of Florida without major sunburn, and liver disease, and got to Charlotte. Michel, a family friend of Nicole, took care of us, and even taught me how to drive on the wrong side of the road. When we had seen Charlotte, and after i had visited hooters, Michel then flew us from Munroe to Raleigh Durham airport, in his 4 seater Cirrus airplane. It was the best flight we've ever had, and the smoothest landing. Suffice to say, i wasn't flying it.

Now we're in Raleigh (Cary). When we arrived, we 'force fed' Mojito cocktails, and 'made' to watch half naked ladies rollerskate around a track, knocking seven bells out of each other. We were introduced to the sport 'Roller-Derby', a sport were American people drink beer and cheer when girls fall over at high speed, i loved it! Then we attended the after party with aforementioned half naked ladies, with more beer and dancing, terrible(!). Needless to say, the next day was somewhat of a write-off. For those who want to know more about Roller Derby, check out the new film 'Whip it'.

We have just visited the local museum of history. I must say, American history makes so much more sense now, and its amazing to see how much has happened in such a short space of time. Also interesting to see how much tension still exists between North and South.

We're currently planning our next section of the trail, next time we speak we will be on trail.

G

Florida (but that's not on the bleedin trail mate......)

Yes, Florida is not one of the 14 states we should be visiting on the trail, but that's were we find ourselves this weekend. Long story.....

There are several different ways one can hike the trail. Straight thruhike, all the way North or South. Or you can do a flipflop, where you hike to the halfway point, then flip to the other end, and walk back to where you got off. Some people start in the middle and work North, then go back to the halfway point, and hike South (complicated, sorry!). We met some of the latter in Maine in August, Phoenix and Tinkerbell. Then, as we are also on a flipflop (of sorts), we were hiking on the North Carolina/ Georgia border when we met Phoenix and Tink again. Then in a roundabout way we spent 4 days hiking through Georgia, climbed into Phoenix's car, and went to Florida, via Atlanta. ROADTRIP!

The last 4 or 5 days on trail are a bit of a blur, as we did very high mileage hiking, so as to have the weekend off to drive to Florida. But we did reach the Southern Terminus of the trail at Springer Mountain, and enjoyed Banjo country and the hospitality we have been given in the South. Its the bible belt down here, so a few cultural differences to get used to. No Alcohol sold on a Sunday, some counties are 'dry' so no alcohol sold at all. Blasphemy not tolerated either, so you gotta be careful of 'cuss' words. Don't even mention Allah, its just not worth it.

Atlanta, 8th largest city in USA i think, massive. Can't believe the size of the place. I really underestimated this place and enjoyed our stay in the City, real eyeopener.

Then, packed into a Subaru Impreza, we're off to Florida for the weekend with friends on the Gulf of Mexico. 85F and white Sandy beaches 200 yards from accommodation. There are Pelicans flying around, lizards on the ground, but no gators yet.
We've been made so welcome here, its another great experience in America, and can't wait to see what happens next!

G

TN, NC, GA.

Hi, long time no blog.

Been through Tennessee, North Carolina and entering Georgia and the Southern terminus of the trail is fast approaching. Even though we will have summited both ends we will have a good bit of hiking to do still, but looking forward to it.

Smokies were great, however the Nantahala National forest area in Southern North Carolina has been absolutely breathtaking, unexpectedly so. Some of the best panoramic views and perfect weather have made it a memorable section of our trip.

Lots more bears in the Smokies, they are protected and used to humans, so we got some pictures this time. Salamander, Bald eagle, wild Turkey, Blue Jays, but no large reptiles but we have seen some very large discarded snake skins. I worry when i get to shelters and there is no mice activity at night, i think 'what the hells eatin the mice'! The mice are crazy in the South, and love to steal hairs from our heads at night. Lovely.

Visited the tourist town of Gatlinburg to resupply halfway through the smokies. It was mental. It was like Blackpool on crack. It was like Vegas with trees. I was scared. All i wanted to do was get back to the safety of the woods with the bears in!

We have been hiking into the evening recently, doing some big miles. The moon has been lighting our path, full and very bright. We crossed the highest dam in the East recently, Fontana Dam was used in the film 'The Fugitive' (Tommy Lee Jones), and was very beautiful when we crossed it at night.

No 'Deliverance' style stories to tell you, sorry. Everyones really nice down South. Got a crash course on American Football by a hiker called 'Curse', at last, it all makes sense. So I'm a converted football fan now (Football, not soccer). Speaking of soccer, if I'm in town on a Saturday morning i can pick up the midday game in England on ESPN, live.

And lastly, to get to the deep South we had to go through New York city. I never planned to go to NYC, but i am so glad we did. Walking up the steps from Penn Station dressed as a hiker with my pack on and hiking poles, and looking up to see the skyscrapers all around us, is an unforgettable experience, after being in the woods. In addition, there was a KISS concert that night so there were hundreds of fans dressed like Gene Simmons, surreal. Came in at 4pm, our train South wasn't until 7am the next day and it was Saturday night. There were no Hotel rooms available in Manhattan, so we tested the theory that NY is the city that never sleeps, and its true!!

Missing our friends up North and all you fellas in the UK, but we'll be catching up with our buddy Houdini for thanks-giving dinner soon, and we'll stay in touch on t'internet.

G