Flagg Mountain, Alabama

 Flagg Mountain, Alabama is where Bart and I began our Great Eastern Trail adventure.

It now has its own Facebook page: Flagg Mountain.

From their site: "A new interest group is being formed, "The Friends of Flagg Mountain", to provide valuable input and assistance in restoring the cabins and fire tower on Flagg Mountain to their original conditions, and to also plan the future use of this historic site.
We need your help. We need your ideas on how to best restore the buildings and tower on Flagg Mountain, and how to use the property in the future."

The tower and the mountain are both much prettier than they looked when fogged-in on a mid-January day.

Cheaha State Park Visit

Daniel, Ben, Sarah, and Jon

The economic impact of a trail is not just in the hikers themselves; it is in the promotion of these locations as destinations.  Today my sister's family visited Cheaha State Park.  The Alabama Pinhoti Trail goes through the park and they're visiting because they heard about it from the GET hike last year.  If the GET didn't exist, I doubt they would have ended up here today. This is pretty cool. I'd love to be there too!

Ben surveys the beautiful beginnings of the Appalachians

photo album

Click below to visit the photo album.  More photos coming soon:

Remembering Alabama

"I am only one, but still I am one, I cannot do everything, but still I can do something."
-Helen Keller

"I cannot do everything, but I can attempt to not die in an Alabama snowstorm." -Jo

Hillabee Creek, Alabama

I took this video back in Alabama, before we knew what challenging fords were in our future.  It would be a better video if Bart had wiped out, but we can't have everything. :)

Bart discovers a hammock

This was in Alabama, and I had a hunch that I should film this.  I like his caw of victory.

Home for the night

We sure know how to move into a place.

Farewell Alabama

Our last night in Alabama... Fitting that we should run into Blister Bob on the trail today! Happy birthday! Now we are enjoying the sunset - this picture does not capture the fluorescent pinks, oranges, and purples. A beautiful farewell!

Break time

This is what I'm doing right now. I deserve a hammock break no shower for 8 days I smell like rank cake!
HillBillyBart

Shelter time!

Jos favorite spot after a long enjoyable hiking day! Reading kids books and trail snackin! 
HillyBillyBart

Dugger Mtn

We are alive! Having lunch on Dugger Mountain in the sunshine. We have had no cell service the last few days and may not have it tonight either. We expect to arrive on Cave Spring, GA early Saturday morning.

Yum?

My alien dinner!
HillBillyBart

water

HillBillyBart

Sunset red

We were fortunate to be in a stand of pines today at sunset. The dead fallen needles are resurrected to life by the westward falling sun. They produced a somber orange amber that transitioned to burnt red. Giving life to a woodland fire that didn't exist.

Lunch with German Tourist

What do smart men do when two intelligent women are speaking? Shut up- listen- learn and take pictures! Great lunch with German Tourist- so many adventures- interesting lady.

Resupply

Another long but very successful day. We went about 13 trail-miles but did an additional 3 or 4 into Heflin to resupply. A huge thank you to Wayne of Becwayne's Grocery, our trail angel who gave us a ride back to the trail! You saved us a couple hours of roadwalking that we were able to spend in the woods. Thanks!

Bart has some cool pictures I think he will post tonight. He gets extra credit today for putting up with me when I was being a butt. Thanks Bart!

A beautiful day to hike

Today was our best and longest day. We would have hit 20 miles this afternoon but we ran into German Tourist and spent a long lunch break discussing adventure past, present, and hypothetical. It was really nice to meet her!

We went 17 miles today through canyons and by waterfalls. The weather is glorious - cool but not cold, breezy but not windy, sunny but not hot. Ideal.

We are camped under some giant loblollies. Coyotes were going crazy a few minutes ago and the owls are singing too. Best day I could wish for.

tomorrow: resupply in Heflin! in & out.

Wet, but . . .

This is my look so far on our hike-WET!Everyday it has rained on us. Why am I still happy?
HillyBillyBart

Sunset

Sunset in Alabama!
HillBillBart

Top of the state