Why did I think Georgia would be a walk in the park?

Day 1: Atlanta

I began my adventure with my best friend, my period and the cramps, bloating and tummy problems that come with it. This, along with the heat of the first few days, made me extremely uncomfortable.

Arriving in Georgia I was hot and uncomfortable with my huge backpack and my small backpack with other things in it.

I quickly changed out of my pants into my shorts and took off the thrift store Patriots sweater I’d worn during the flight.

I had planned to leave the clothes in a hiker’s box, but I couldn’t imagine carrying them around any longer, so I left them at the airport hoping they would still find a new home.

MARTA to Sandy Springs:

As the warm Atlanta sun beat down on me, I dragged my things to the bus to the train station and took the MARTA to Sandy Springs.

It was supposed to be an easy task, but since they are renovating the trains/station right now, it wasn’t. Instead, it involved a transfer that turned into a wrong stop (my fault) and more waiting for the train to take me to Sandy Springs.

I then carried my stuff during the 10 minute walk (closer to 15 and it felt like 40 in the heat) to my hotel, where I was excited to see the pool!

Swimming was not in my plans, since they were renovating the pool. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t very disappointed by this, as I chose the hotel because it had a pool!

My disappointment evaporated as quickly as the sweat on my skin, and I walked to the Publix to get some food before making the trek back uphill to REI to get fuel and permethrin spray to treat my clothing and gear.

I picked up a frozen meal from Amy’s and a Publix salad along with a few other treats and, unfortunately, vintage supplies.

When I finished running errands and chores, I settled into my hotel bed, watched the movie The Dead Don’t Die on Netflix, and ate my little gourmet dinner before heading off to dreamland.

Day 2: Sandy Springs to Amicalola

After inhaling grits, eggs, and yogurt for breakfast, I packed my things and realized I forgot to get bear spray when I went to REI to get gas the day before. I was about to give up and buy some at the next retailer so I wouldn’t have to go back to REI, but unfortunately my family convinced me to buy some. «Erika, if you don’t get bear spray and they attack you, they’ll drag you to the Internet, do you want that?»

Needless to say, I received the spray.

My Uber driver to Amicalola Falls was amazing and we had a great conversation. Honestly, I’ve already met a lot of nice and interesting people on this trip. They say this trail is all about the people you meet, and this is definitely true in my experience so far.

When I arrived at Amicalola, I felt strangely nervous about starting my hike. I spent too long in the visitor center, procrastinating, before finally walking through the iconic arch to begin my hike.

Due to the late start of the day, my cramps, the heat, and the brutality of the stairs, I treated myself to a night at the hostel after completing the grueling staircase to hell. I washed my feet with ice, ate a big dinner from the buffet, and tried to get some sleep.

Day 3: First night of partying

After a delicious feast of eggs, grits, yogurt, and fruit, I dragged my butt back to the access trail where I had to stop several times due to cramps and to… dig a cat hole. I crawled at a snail’s pace to Black Gap Shelter, where I spent my first night in my tent.

Day 4: Finally on the AT!

Since I also forgot to get a lighter, I was able to enjoy some cold, chunky instant coffee and a gluten-free breakfast bar before leaving camp.

I hiked my butt up Springer Mountain and officially started the Appalachian Trail!!! I FaceTimed my family and enjoyed the most delicious apple of my life before continuing on to the Stover Shelter. I cold soaked a meal from Mountain House for my dinner, and warm beef stew never tasted so good! I met an amazing former hiker, “Sweat Bucket,” who kindly gave me his lighter since his stove had a built-in ignition and he only had a few days of hiking left.

Final thoughts:

Thanks Sweat Bucket!!! The hot coffee and hot meals have been amazing!

So far, my journey onto the trail has been wild. It was a slow start as I faced cramps, heat and uncertainty, but I kept going and I thank my body and the earth for this possibility.

Thanks for reading friends and stay tuned for more!

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