Today I finally made it to Amicacola Falls State Park. After driving from my home in Minnesota to my parents in Wisconsin on day -2, we drove to Tennessee on day -1 and finally today (day 0) arrived at the visitor center.
As I was driving over the past few days, I got to thinking about the first time I heard about the Appalachian Trail. Coming from an area not along the trail (Wisconsin), the AT is not as well known as it apparently is on the east coast. I didn’t know anyone who had walked it (at least that I remember) before becoming interested in it, so it’s hard to say when I first heard about it. But I think I found out when I was in fifth grade and I thought it was crazy that someone could walk that far. I didn’t think much about the AT immediately after that, but from time to time I thought that hiking the AT would be an amazing adventure. As I got older and started working, when I thought about it, I wrote it down as something that would be amazing to do, but probably something that would never be right for me. It wasn’t until I started seriously contemplating it about a year and a half ago that I realized I could do it if I was willing to commit. And now here I am, on the verge of the beginning of a great adventure.
Today’s visit to Amicacola Falls State Park was simple, with the goal of going to the visitor center and picking up my hiker tag, as well as taking the LNT (Leave No Trace) class so I can start running (trail?) tomorrow morning. I even took a photo in front of the Base Camp sign!
Well, mission accomplished! My parents and I did that, visited the exhibits and gift shop at the visitor center and even went to the Lodge at Amicalola Falls and checked it out. We especially enjoyed the view from the lodge! Even when it started to drizzle, it was still a stunning sight!
View from Amicalola Falls Lodge
Pivot!
However, although today’s weather was quite pleasant, tomorrow’s weather looks concerning. I spent most of the afternoon trying to figure out ways I could do some hiking tomorrow without being completely stupid (which I flirted with) with the elements. With the next morning set to start with rain in the 50s and the afternoon temperature dropping to below freezing with snow, eventually with the overnight low in the mid 10s. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m willing to be cold and I’m willing to be wet, but not both! Luckily, with a little creativity, I was able to get a room at Hidden Pond Hostel and a couple of bus rides, from the trail and back to the trail in the morning. A first-night shelter isn’t how I imagined my first night on the AT would end, but it seems like the right decision instead of weather if I’m going to put in some miles tomorrow.
Thank you mom and dad for coming with me and dropping me off!
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