Twenty-eighth day and 341.3 miles down. I experienced the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the last week of March and enjoyed the budding dogwoods and wildflowers of spring. I had anticipated the Smokies since leaving home because it had always been one of my favorite destinations for family trips and overnight backpacking jaunts. Little did I know at the time, the week in the Smokies would be an early turning point in my hike. I quickly learned to “hike my own hike” and not be concerned with the schedule of others.

The AT crosses Fontana Dam at 480 ft. above sea level and gains thousands of feet of elevation to the highest place on the trail, Clingman’s Dome (6643 ft.) – and I hiked those 31 miles in 2 days! Because of the push to meet my family, I continued through the park without many of my new thru-hiker friends. Although I made new friends and acquaintances, I felt that the posse from the Blueberry Patch was my true expedition partners at the time. We had traveled through so much territory together already and had experienced the wonders of the trail, and it wasn’t easy going my own way. I met Two Winds, Turtle, Slowwalker, Crazy-Two Feet, and Grey Squirrel in the park, but I thought 'I do not have as much in common with these people as I do Cruise, Whisper, Two Gulp, Old Crow, and Phluff.' What did I truly have in common with anyone on the trail? Virtually nothing but our current circumstances! It was a shift in my mindset that made the difference – I was ready to be on my own and free from the drama of the big group once and for all. The only problem was Two Winds – he did not see my new found wisdom the same way. He wanted to talk about anything and everything, “3.24.97 Blah, blah, blah…Two Winds came into the shelter later tonight and hasn’t stopped talking since….Blah, blah, blah…no silence in the shelter tonight, and Two Winds said that he has a tendency to snore. Not the greatest for my first night in the Smokies.” and “3.25.97 Blah, blah, blah…Yep, you guessed it – Two Winds is getting started with the stories. His story: is 24 and has been off of the trail for 10 days – he has been in Knoxville for court. As he was driving somewhere in Knox County he was pulled over (a few months ago) for speeding and unfortunately had marijuana in his car. They fined him and he is now back on the trail…When he saw me reading my Bible, it prompted him to tell me about his relationship with the Lord. He is on the right track, and I hope that I can help him and everyone else find The Way.” He is a character that would be a part of my hike for many miles.

Right around this time, the spiritual component of my hike was showing itself, “3.23.07 …Did my first 20+ day today, and I am hurting pretty bad. I hiked with Cruise most of the afternoon today, which was good. We got to know each other a little bit better. We had a little bit of a change of pace this morning (a Sunday), and I read from the Bible. There were about five or six that listened to me read some scriptures that dealt with hope, comfort, and rejoicing. ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.’ No wonder I am an Optimist.” I became more willing to discuss the Bible and the life of Jesus with anyone, and my relationships from here to Maine were seasoned with Good News.

The Easter visit in Gatlinburg with the family was physically rejuvenating; however, I found myself yearning to make more miles on the day off. Once I was on the trail again, I expressed the emotional toll in my journal, “3.30.97 Today was one of my toughest days emotionally and mentally. After the time off, I was really eager to get back on the trail because I was getting too soft and comfortable. The depression kicked in today mainly because I didn’t have much motivation. Usually I am trying to catch up to someone or get to the place where everyone is staying the night, but today the only motivation was to get to the shelter – in out of the rain – which I did successfully…I questioned, today more than ever, why I am out here. I enjoy myself almost all of the time, but after being in Gatlinburg for 36 hours, I saw what I was missing…”