Back on the Appalachian Trail. George dropped me off at 7am sharp, just as I requested. We said our farewells as I walked down the musty wet trail. There was a good soaking that happened the night before, surprise surprise!

The first mile was fairly nice, somewhat level, through the trees and over a grate that suspended a gorge named Sandy River. The first sign of life was a tent with all the worldly possessions strung about but not a soul. Probably taking care of the morning constitution. Too much info already. Sorry!

Then the climbing started. It had to since I was headed up to Saddleback Peak, close to 2500’ above. It was misty and within minutes, I was getting wet. Not like a downpour, just your typical mist that soaks everything. Lovely, no sun today!

The climb was intense for a couple of reasons; this is my day one so no trail legs, and two, I’m not sure what happened to my lung capacity. I was huffing and puffing and I’m only at 2000’. Not a good sign of things to come.

Within a couple of hours, I saw my first human. A tall lanky male who had trail legs and great lung capacity. I need what you have, I blurted out. And just like that, he left me in the mud with a large boulder ahead that had a precarious metal footholds, scaling the larger than life rock.

The trail went passed a few ponds as it flattened, and then bolted back to the clouds. It took me way too long to get to Saddleback, but being I stopped countless times to put more layers on, no wonder! My Hooded Sun-shirt, a Fleece Layer and now my Rain Jacket! Another gentleman strolls by and says, thank goodness it’s not cold with his running lightweight shirt and shorts on. Seriously, I’m cold as a wet noodle! Maybe my thermostat is not engaged like his, or maybe just maybe, he’s moving faster, which generates heat and I’m moving like a three-toed sloth?!

Up and over the Misty Mountain and down a saddle, then back up to The Horn at 1984’. It was just as blustery, wind blowing sideways kind of mist from the encapsulated clouds. Yes, I can say I was walking in the clouds! Then down the mountain really fast. Not that I went down really fast but the elevation drop was significantly sloped over the next mile or two. This is where I embrace my butt sliding skills. I just can’t seem to leap, jump or skip down the boulders like others. I slide on my butt, hold onto tree limbs and throw my poles to the next landing zone. And that’s how it went for 1500’ of downhill wet rock forging. I must’ve looked like a mess, with muddy butt pants!

After the slide, I had one last climb up and over Saddleback Junior, which came as a surprise. A welcome surprise as I was much better at navigating the ups than the downs. My last mile or so was in the late evening hours and by the time I made it to camp, it was pretty darn dark. Everyone was hunkered in their tents or snug inside the platform. I hunted for a piece of real estate to place my tent and plopped inside, literally. With just enough time to wring out my wet clothes, eat a pack of Mango Slices with Chocolate, and crawled inside my bag. Oh boy, that was a tough first day!

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭22‬ ‭

I’m not sure if this really applied to me today, but I do know that the Lord was with me every step of the way. When I was shaking from the cold temperatures and wondering how I was going to get up and over Saddleback and The Horn, He sustained me. So, I guess this verse is in fact, my verse for the day! Thank you Lord. I sure do need you!