2196 miles to go...

We ONLY  have two thousand one hundred and ninety six miles left to go...

So it's not like we've arrived...but we are making progress!

We're AT-ers.

You know...AT...like in Appalachian Trail.

Call it what you will...

            Appa-LATCH-uh

            Appa-LAY-shuh

We've hiked it.

In fact, we're thru hiking it...

Well, maybe more like through hiking it - at least for right now!

But blame hiking the AT on Grandma Gatewood.  We've listened to her book on Audible...

twice.

The first woman to thru hike it.

Way back in the early days of the AT...with sneakers and a hobo bag.

She started at 67, and thru hiked it...all 2198 miles...

And she did it again...THREE different times!!! 

We still have a few more miles to go!!!

But hike it we have, and at one of the higher elevations! 

Clingman's Dome on the border of NC and TN.

In fact, J and I had a long distance relationship across those two state lines.

Now the Clingman's Dome area is somewhat high, nearly a mile up, and one of the higher elevations on the entire AT.

So it is standard protocol to stop hiking periodically to observe the local Flora and Fauna.

And then hike some more...

And then stop again to observe the F&F...(especially when going up hill!) 

And then hike again...

For a bit...

And then...

Well, you know...

Stop again to rest...errr, I mean "observe" the Flora and Fauna...

...or maybe the rock formations, or fungus...or just to stare at the dirt...

Any excuse works when you need to catch your breath!

And how much more fun it is, when doing it with best friends!!! 

Great Smoky Mountains...another Passport stamp is in the book!

Let the adventure continue...