Ha! You’ve just perfectly summed up every highlight from that day! I only wish I knew a bit more about the history of the Cherokee before going on this hike. The hiker’s guide to the trail touches on it a little bit and includes some of Bartram’s descriptions, but there’s not much actually describing their culture.
I wish I knew the name of that blue flower. I only saw a few along the way, but they were striking!
Many of these photos are quick captures with the iPhone. You’re right, I don’t have too much time to pull out my DSLR camera for every shot, especially if it needs the tripod! The photos I did take with my main camera are the ones with my watermark signature on the bottom right corner.
It also helped that this first day was very flat and easy walking along the river! Thanks Sheryl!
The color was excellent, but I struggled to find views. Those etched stones are really cool! I photographed every one that I saw. They are only in the Georgia section of the trail, though. No more once I cross into North Carolina.
Stunning photos as always. And the WATERFALLS!! 😍 14 miles is a damn lot to hike for starting at noon; DEFINITELY should be proud of yourself, and you've got me awful curious about the upcoming "gut clenching moments.."..!
Bravo. Fantastic expereince and it's good read for me. Same as you when ever i see landscape from America i feel for the native american people how they have lived theere.
Hey, thanks so much Kevin! Sherpa Al was locally famous, but I never had a chance to meet him. The NOC is a very cool place. I got to check out the big event going on there when I finished the trail!
Ha! You’ve just perfectly summed up every highlight from that day! I only wish I knew a bit more about the history of the Cherokee before going on this hike. The hiker’s guide to the trail touches on it a little bit and includes some of Bartram’s descriptions, but there’s not much actually describing their culture.
Anyway, I appreciate the comments! Thanks!
Simply lovely!
That means a lot! Thank you Enda!
Loving this Erik!
Thanks! It gets a bit more exciting/interesting from here!
I am looking forward to the rest of the story and your photos. Thanks Erik.
Thanks for this Matthew! I mentioned elsewhere, but the story gets more exciting and interesting as we go!
Takes me back to my backpacking days! I loved how connected I felt to everything around me, so I get that connection you feel.
What was the deep blue flowered plant you photographed?
I think it is amazing that for all the photos you stopped to take that you managed 14 miles your first day! I think 10 a day is the most i have done.
I wish I knew the name of that blue flower. I only saw a few along the way, but they were striking!
Many of these photos are quick captures with the iPhone. You’re right, I don’t have too much time to pull out my DSLR camera for every shot, especially if it needs the tripod! The photos I did take with my main camera are the ones with my watermark signature on the bottom right corner.
It also helped that this first day was very flat and easy walking along the river! Thanks Sheryl!
Is this invasive where you were?
I see 2 choices, Vinca or wood Myrtle
Here is Vinca which is quite invasive.
https://www.epicgardening.com/invasive-ground-covers/
It’s not vinca. I’ll try to research it and figure it out, but I’ve lost my copy of Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide.
If you figure it out, please let me know!
Ok, I think I found it! Gentiana linearis.
I love gentians!. Cool!
Love it already. Can’t wait.
Right on, Lou! Thanks!
So far, so good! I've been slacking on my reading lately so I'm glad that I coincidentally popped back in at day one today! Beautiful journey so far 😊
Gah, I got so behind in reading by having this week on trail! I’m just now getting to some really good stuff from many days ago!!
This story has some exciting moments coming up. I’m so antsy to not tell about them right away, but no spoilers!! 😆
Lol its okay! We can wait 😁
What a lovely way to start my Sunday following you on your trek
Thanks so much Richerdine!
"Silence echoes through towering trees forming a cathedral for ghosts." Love this. I for one, am with you for the 14mile journey. Climb on!
Excellent! There’s still a long way to go!!
Fantastic!! I need to get back out there hiking, and this is one of the trails I long to do. I love the NOC. They are just great people.
The NOC really came through in a pinch! And the festival that weekend looked really cool, but I only stayed a little while.
What a great start to the adventure!
It was a whirlwind kind of day. The kind that, at the end of it you look back and really can’t believe where it started!
What a great start to the hike Erik - looking forward to reading more.
Thanks James, there’s still a long way to go!
I love the etched in rock trail signage……14 miles of hiking with your shuttle is an excellent day. Still some nice color there.
The color was excellent, but I struggled to find views. Those etched stones are really cool! I photographed every one that I saw. They are only in the Georgia section of the trail, though. No more once I cross into North Carolina.
Thanks Jenn!!
Stunning photos as always. And the WATERFALLS!! 😍 14 miles is a damn lot to hike for starting at noon; DEFINITELY should be proud of yourself, and you've got me awful curious about the upcoming "gut clenching moments.."..!
Yeah, but it was a bit too ambitious. I got bad shin splints that I had to fight through for over half the trip. Thanks Niki!
Bravo. Fantastic expereince and it's good read for me. Same as you when ever i see landscape from America i feel for the native american people how they have lived theere.
That’s wonderful Padam! Thanks for reading!
This is epic storytelling, Erik.
The NOC holds a special place in my heart. I was there just last week actually for a wilderness course.
I’ve also had Josh shuttle me along with his dad Sherpa Al!
Hey, thanks so much Kevin! Sherpa Al was locally famous, but I never had a chance to meet him. The NOC is a very cool place. I got to check out the big event going on there when I finished the trail!