I dub thee "Sir sticks a lot"

Week one - made it to Unico Gap GA, mile 52 from Springer Mountain. staying at the Green Dragon Hostel. 

Good thing too, because I tripped this morning and my back went out.  My "Tramily" divided up my gear and helped me hike down to the Gap for our van pick up to have a "Nero" 

(Tramily lunch in Hiawassee)

I need to start getting rid of things because my pack is too heavy.  Back at Neal's Gap my pack fully loaded with food and water weighed in at 44lbs.  

(packs outside Green Dragon)

I, however, am 7 lbs lighter than last week.  Now weighing in at 198.  I tried to put some back on in town by eating a double bacon cheese burger and fries. Then potatoes and pasta salad provided my a church group. Then for dinner a 12inch Italian hoagie + 2 Yueglings and king sized Twix.

(Southern terminus)

I touched the southern terminus at Springer Mountain on my 45 birthday.  It had been a great week. 

Only 0.2 miles down the trail we had our first encounter with trail magic.  "Yukon Rasbuton" had chips, oranges, and Coolers light, for passing hikers.  While standing around with fellow hikers telling Dad jokes, such as: What is blue and smells like red paint? (Answer at bottom of blog post) One hiker - trail name "Blue" noticed that everyone had trekking poles while I had a couple of sticks I picked up in the woods.  He named me "Sticks" then another hiker "Peace" anointed me on bended knee "Sir Sticks" to which, Blue tacked on "Sir Sticks a lot" with the them song, "I like bear butts and I cannot lie ..." Which prompts my joke "What is brown and sticky?" (answer also at bottom)

(Yukon Rasbuton, 1st trail angel)

The weather has been sunny or a little overcast most day with highs in the mid 60's and lows usually in the mid 30's.  Although two nights the wind chill was below freezing.  

(bear bags)

I haven't seen any bears, but a few nights went to sleep to the hooting of owls and even saw two do a little dance together.

I have met some truly wonderful people.  We sang happy birthday to "Vagabond" today on the trail.  It is her 83rd birthday.  She Thru-hiked the first time in 1973. 

(trillium, takes 9 years to bloom)

Our tramily "Ship Yard" consists of myself - "Sir Sticks a lot" or "Sticks"  from short, "Simmer Down" (team mom, she gets a little worked up some times), "Sub Zero" (works in Anartica), "AT" (just finished an Environmental Science degree), plus one more who is a Vet Tech, with no trial name yet. We are almost out of Georgia (mile 78) and we plan to stick together at least through the Smokies.  

(Tramily on Florida Man's last day)

We have had a few men overboard, "Pinball" had foot problems on day 2, then his son "Blue" also had to drop off with plantar fasciitis a few days later.  "Florida Man"  was taken out by tree pollen.  

(Blue and AT, twinning)

"Master Chef" who I met at Amicanola Falls didn't make it to Springer.  

(Master Chief at top of Falls)

Then via slack packing there are folks we thought we wouldn't see again keep reappearing.  "Moses"  who got us started adding one pushups a day at Springer Shelter keeps popping out from behind trees.  And "Scout" who we all adore keeps catching up to us when we thought we left her behind.

(Scout as the green knight defending the bridge)

"All in" was just testing his gear. He left a few days ago, but plans to Thru-hike next year. "Nomad" will travel with us until Dick's Gap then end his section hike.

(all in. Needed to leave trail from world of poker championships)

 Said good by to "Journeyman" and "Magellan"  Yestderday.  They were doing a section hike on the 10th year anniversary of their Thru-hiked. Journeyman was accompanied by his dog "Mickey".  - got a lot of wisdom and good vibes from the old heads.

(Journeyman and Mickey)

looks like rain for next few days.  I hope I make it.

(Dad jokes answers- blue paint, a stick)