3/19/17

Day 8 on the Appalachian Trail was another long day! We pushed harder than any other day so far with 20 miles. Yes, we did 20 yesterday but today was a much harder day terrain wise. With Couthouse Bald and Standing Indian Mountain both in one day as they were around 5000 foot of elevation was a task.

This morning we woke up to really cold temperatures around 28 and had the first climb right from the start. By the time I reached the top of Couthouse Bald I was already exhausted and the day had just begun. We reached Standing Indian by lunch time and mingled with some other hikers while we ate. One of the hikers was named red and it was because he was a ginger. It's kind of funny how people get their little trail names out here. Max and I still haven't gotten ours yet. Hopefully soon though and hopefully they will be good ones.

As we started up Standing Indian Mountain, I realized it wasn't as hard as I thought. The climb was low on the angle but it was just such a long ascent. Along the way my left Achilles started giving me fits. It was because of such a long incline that we were going fast on. Needless to say I learned my lesson to slow down on inclines.

The day kind of got easier after those two mountains but we just had a long way to go. We reached our destination at around 6:30. My feet feel like I just jumped out of a helicopter onto pavement from 50ft up. I'm so sore. But I'm still so happy I'm out here.

Mentally I miss everyone back home and I am ready to see them. I think about home the most in the times throughout the day I'm down. Today had a lot of ups and downs. The sun was a great moral boost for most of the day though.

We made camp with a guy named Billy. We have been hiking with him the last 2 days. He seems to be a cool guy, he's just a section hiker though and is planning to get off around Fontana.

The ministry out here is going slower than I expected. Really it's all about the relationship at this point, conversations are going to arise which will be great! Giving food to Daddy Long Legs and some other people is one way we can get to people and open up conversation. Please pray for more opportunities to come!

Tomorrow we will be in Franklin North Carolina! I can't wait, we are gonna get some real food for super. A burger would be great right about now.

Thanks again for everyone's support and prayers!


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Location:Mooney Gap