Nic and G 'off' the AT

Sorry not to blog in so long, but we have had a hectic 4 or 5 days. Where do i start...

Last time i blogged, we had stayed in Johnson City with some new friends, Tim and Theresa (Thanks guys). We went along to the town Christmas parade, but unfortunately missed the police car getting smashed by a train (It parked on the railroad tracks to stop traffic. Then when the train came along, no-one could find the car keys. Train then hits car. Police shouldn't be allowed to carry guns here, seriously).

We get back on trail, one snowstorm has passed, another one comes along. We stay in Damascus one night while the storm tears the forest apart. When we start hiking again another cold snap comes along and temperatures drop to 15F, about -8C. It didn't get above 32F for 2 days. Its no fun hiking with frozen water bottles. There's ice on the trail and lots of fallen down trees blocking the way. We were slowed down to about one mile an hour, climbing over trees and getting around them. We got a hitch to gas station, then another hitch to Abingdon, a town off Interstate 81. That's when we got kidnapped, again...

So, the first time we got kidnapped, we were brought to Florida. Now, the same kidnappers (Tinkerbell and Phoenix), whom we called up to say hi to, asked us if we would like to go on a roadtrip with them, to San Francisco, via Atlanta (1), New Orleans (2), Austin Texas (3), New Mexico (4), Denver Colorado (5, which is really handy as i need to visit the Rockies for a very special friend!), Las Vegas (6, OH MY GOD), then California (7).

We are in New Orleans. It is like a different planet. This place is like nowhere else on earth. It just does not stop. Its alive. Its amazing, after all they've been through. We are staying on Royal street, near Bourbon street. Bourbon street is in the French Quarter, must be about 1km long full of bars with live music, and is famous for cocktails like the "Hand Grenade" and "Hurricane". Both of which i have now sampled, on different nights. I don't think they should be mixed. Trust me. We walked the short distance to the Mississippi River, its huge, with large oil tankers on it. We are so close to the Gulf of Mexico, and the climate feels so tropical at the moment, but nice to be warm again.

As the list says, we are off to Texas in Phoenixes car tomorrow, and i still can't believe we are actually doing this.

Who knows if we will get back on trail, but its certain we are heading West on what is becoming the most unpredictable Appalachian Trail Thruhike ever. We just couldn't refuse when asked to go on a roadtrip of this kind, how often does this happen?!.

Maybe i should rename the blog now...
G

PS
Thanks to Jeff in Abingdon for taking us into his home for the night before being picked up by Tink and Phoenix. He insisted we stay with him, and we couldn't refuse. Cheers mate.