Tamijo - Appalachian Trail Journal - 2010

I'm just about to leave the cabin I've shared with Sue and Bill H and hit the trail. I don't think I'll stop until I've completed the Smokies, so these next 8-9 days will be interesting with no breaks for showers and such. The worst part, however, will be when I actually hike the Smokies without my beloved sidekick. I can't imagine being without Tessa. It'll be so lonely. The Smokey Mountain National Forest, being a National Park, does not allow pets. I'd made kennel arrangements for her, then I met and befriended Bruce and Darlene, who graciously offered to drive to the Smokies, pick up Tessa, take her back to their place and care for her while I hike the park, and return her to me. All they've asked of me in return is that I pay for their gas, which I am more than happy to do. I'd pay them every bit I was prepared to pay the kennel if they'd let me. I know Tessa will receive better care with them than she would a kennel. They'll give her far more individual attention; in fact, she's likely to be returned to me even more spoiled than she is now! I just hope that Bruce and Darlene remember that Tessa tends to be bashful around nudity (just kidding, of course). Thanks, Bruce and Darlene! I'll see you in a few days. By the way, did I leave my upholstery thread at your place? I have a repair to make and all I have is regular thread. If so, please bring it to the Smokies.

I'm going to share a little secret with you, because I don't think the folks who are actually on the trail will be checking in here in the coming days. You know, we hikers tend to want to ditch as much weight from our packs as we can, but I am foolishly voluntarily lugging around two-ish pounds of extra weight for the next three days, then on the fourth day (Easter Sunday), I'll get to unload my weight throughout the day. I have 48 plastic Easter eggs that I have filled with candy, and I'm going to drop them along the trail for other hikers to find. It'll be so fun! Since I can't be with my family, I'll spread some Easter cheer along the trail. Ssshhhhhh... don't tell the other hikers who the Easter bunny is!