To Bidet…or not to Bidet?

This article originally appeared on the The Trek which you can read here. Screw a hunk of rubber onto your water bottle, walk 200 feet away from the trail as well any water sources, dig a six-to-eight inch deep by five inch wide hole, annnnd GO! My considerations of using a trail bidet ended there.Continue reading “To Bidet…or not to Bidet?”

Chapter Twenty: Yoga Sisters vs. Blood Mountain

The four of us, Sam, Fireball, my sister, and I strolled into Blood Mountain Wilderness, where the bear population was numerous, where challenge and risk are experienced and expected. There was no hill we couldn’t quickly ascend, and much of the approach was winding and lovely. Again, we passed and repassed our hiker friends, mostlyContinue reading “Chapter Twenty: Yoga Sisters vs. Blood Mountain”

Chapter Nineteen: Jarrard Gap

Sam, Fireball, and Greg all stopped at Lance Creek that evening. It was tempting to stop there, too, as we passed their perfect, placid nook in the forest. But we knew we would be rewarded by going a few miles further to Jarrard Gap, where we would wake up the next morning and proceed straightContinue reading “Chapter Nineteen: Jarrard Gap”

Chapter Eighteen: Blood Mountain Wilderness

Nimrod and Nice Beard ordered a knee brace for Red Braid and were keeping her another night to help her spirit and body recover. With a little bit of rest, they were sure she could make it over Blood Mountain. Fireball’s leg was healing well, and Yukon proceeded to check in with her quietly beforeContinue reading “Chapter Eighteen: Blood Mountain Wilderness”

Chapter Seventeen: Above the Clouds

A red pickup truck pulled off the roadside, and a shaggy man poked his head out the window, calling out to us “want some candy, little girls?” “Weirdo,” Red Braid commented quietly, but I did, in fact, want candy. We approached as he and his companion exited the truck and opened the hatch revealing hikerContinue reading “Chapter Seventeen: Above the Clouds”

Chapter Sixteen: Sassafras Mountain

On our fifth day in the woods, I woke with a renewed promise to myself and to my sister. She needed me as much as I needed her even though those needs were different. I sometimes needed closeness, she sometimes needed space. I sometimes needed chatter, she sometimes needed silence. And she most certainly didContinue reading “Chapter Sixteen: Sassafras Mountain”

Chapter Fifteen: Sasquatch

Nine and half miles, our longest day of hiking yet. We strolled into Hawk Mountain Shelter; were greeted as “the Yoga Sisters;” met with the grossest privy this side of the Mason-Dixon; discovered that when surrounded by other males, Greg was inclined to take their side; punched Yukon Cornelius, started a fireside brawl, settled everythingContinue reading “Chapter Fifteen: Sasquatch”

Chapter Thirteen: Thank You, Trail

           I spent an inordinate amount of time on the trail thinking about eating. It was now Tuesday, our fourth day of hiking, and our bear canister held enough food to get us to the Above the Clouds hostel the next evening. Sassafras Mountain now stood between me and the Twix bar I had begunContinue reading “Chapter Thirteen: Thank You, Trail”

Chapter Twelve: All the Young Dudes

In honor of the coming Easter Sunday, our hiker friends from the Len Foote Hike Inn had hidden an assortment of gummy bears, sweet tarts, and other treats, in the bear box at the Springer Mountain Shelter. Most hikers, having heard this shelter could be counted upon to be filled early in the day, continuedContinue reading “Chapter Twelve: All the Young Dudes”

Chapter Eleven: Summit

As we walked in the grassy meadow that lay atop Springer Mountain, a renewed energy gripped my sister. She clamored about the rocky outcrop which bore a bronze plaque with the raised image of a hiker, just a hiker who might be any of us. It was dedicated to Benton MacKaye, whose vision had helpedContinue reading “Chapter Eleven: Summit”