Day #8, 1st day off AT

Today was our first full day in Helen Georgia or as the local’s call it Alpine Helen. It felt great to sleep in a real bed and air-conditioning last night. We got up this morning and found a taxi who took us to Valhalla resort up in the hills, and we Both had 60 minute Swedish massages at the Solasta spa, located within the resort. It felt amazing, and my knees were very thankful. We spent the rest of the afternoon pool side, which felt great in the 100+ degree weather today!

After evening laundry, we ate at a local favorite, “Big Daddy’s Bar and Grill.” We were greeted by some amazing southern hospitality, and could only eat half of the huge meals we ordered.

Now back at our hotel, we were brain storming some of the crazy quotes we said on the AT…..I’ll list them below, see if you can figure out which one of us said it🤣

1. It’s a lovely day for a hike!

2. Don’t talk to me while we’re climbing uphill!

3. I need my “own thoughts time” for a while.

4. BBLLFF….oops, sorry about that, it slipped, Hope I didn’t have an accident😜

5. Quick, take a picture of me peeing in the stream, posing like “ the thinker!”

6. I’m sorry, I gotta rest….

7. Stop apologizing for taking a rest when you need one😡

8. Pant, pant, pant…..let’s go, next landing

9. “I’m so proud of you Skel”🥲

10. This doesn’t suck a bit….

11. Come on, embrace the suck!!!!

12. Shut the F@&$ Up!!

13. I’m so tired, you need to find a different, more fit hiking partner for your next trip🥲

14. Is there anybody cooler than us?😍

….still cousins, still love each other, still tired as hell😜

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Day 12, 9/1/23

Our last official hiking day in the Smokey’s🥲. We hiked the AT as it crosses the Fontana Dam in NC, and hits the gateway of the Smokey Mountains National Forest. This segment was so beautiful, and the hike was peaceful. Heading back to Wisco tomorrow. We enjoyed dinner and a cocktail at the Wildwood Restaurant at the Fontana Village, and were serenaded by an awesome bluegrass band called “Coddle Creek Band.” A relaxing way to end a great trip!

Day 9, 8/29

Left Franklin, NC and headed toward Nantahala Outdoor Center. We did the steep climb up to Wayah Bald lookout tower, located on the AT one mile above Franklin. The views were amazing, we were above the clouds at 5,500 ft. You can see GA, TN, NC and SC from the top. The drive into this place followed the Nantahala Gorge, and the views of the gorge and river were breathtaking. We rented an elevated tent site for a couple nights, will do day hikes while we’re here. Both the AT and the Bartram trail run through this area. The great Rocky Mtn railroad passed near our tent site as well! Even though Kelly beat me in 4 games of kings corner card game tonight, we’re still cousins, still love each other and still retired😁

Day 10, 8/30

Lots of rain overnight, glad to be on an elevated tent site so we stayed dry. Got on trail early and hiked 5.5 miles on the Bartram Trail. We got back to camp and I hiked down to the end of the Nantahala River where it dumps into Fontana Lake. We did a 3 hour whitewater rafting trip in the afternoon…kinda scary but so darn fun! Water temp was only 50 degrees. Finished the day with a fire…still cousins, still love each other, still retired.

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