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Spur of the moment road trips are fun... especially with my best friend! #spurofthemoment #roadtrip #mybestfriendmywife #blessed #drivingacrossthecountry #somewhereinoklahoma10 years ago today both my wife and I took our first steps as official “backpackers!” Earlier that year we heard about the LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains. What intrigued me was that we had to hike up to it, and then the cabins didn’t even have power and water. I knew I had to look into this more... it sounded too awesome not too! It was still quite a while before we ever stepped foot on any of the trails going to the lodge, but on the morning of September 4, 2009 we took our first steps with fully loaded (read: heavy) backpacks on a multi day trip beginning under the popular arch at the Amicalola Falls Visitor Center. That day we hiked 10 miles *up* to Springer Mountain which is where this photo was taken, and our first time stepping on the Appalachian Trail, and where we spent our first night as backpacker’s. Since then we have done much more of the Appalachian Trail, and even a number of other trails. I can’t believe it’s only been 10 years since that day, but it’s a day I am proud of. The beginning of new adventures, and with the woman I love to no end. It’s perfect! #tonewbeginnings #10yearsagotoday #backpacking #hiking #newbies #springermountain #appalachiantrail #withtheloveofmylife #memories #remeniscingAnother successful weekend trip camping in our camper! Happy Labor Day everyone!! #onlyonehashtagbecausemywifeanddauguterarecountingthemI know I’ve been posting a lot of bike pics, but this thing just gets more and more fun... when it’s not kicking my butt anyway, especially after all the upgrades! 🤦🏻♂️🤗🍻 #trek #trekowners #trekmarlin7 #marlin #marlin7 #2020marlin7 #mtb #mountainbike i#ridemtb #emeraldiris #raceface #racefacechesters #gripplers #rockshox #rockshoxrecon #reconrl #maxxis #maxxistires #maxxisminions #dhf #dhr2 #tubeless #gotubeless #magicmilk #blessed #sunnydays #lake #blueskiesHappy National Doggy day! These doggies are our family! #nationaldogday #nationaldogday2019My 2020 Marlin 7 with several upgrades... pedals, grips, mud guard on the front wheel, fork, brakes, rotors and new tires set up tubeless. This bike has been transformed, and I’m loving it! As well, I got a really great deal on the Revelate Viscacha saddle bag and the Sweetroll handlebar bag from the fine folks at @trailsandtreads in Tupelo, MS! I have been messing around and I can get just about my entire gear setup (for around 20F) in just these 2 bags, minus food, water and toiletries. I have a Revelate Gas Can coming for some bike tools and other small items too. Now I just need to figure out a good place to go for a little bikepacking adventure! :) #trek #trekowners #trekmarlin7 #marlin7 #2020marlin7 #marlinbikes #trailsandtreads #revelate #viscacha #sweetroll #bikepacking #maxxis #maxxistires #maxxisminion #dhf #dhr2 #rockshox #rockshoxreconrl #raceface- Follow Stick's Blog on WordPress.com
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Category Archives: Trip Report
JMT 2018 Thru Hike Update
So, the JMT thru hike that I had planned for 2018 didn’t go quite as I had planned… Since the hike I have received several messages asking how the hike went, so I finally made the above video. However, I … Continue reading
December ’17 Florida Trail Hike: Ocala NF w/ Zpacks & GooseFeet Gear
Early last Thursday morning my son and I woke up around 3:30 am (Central time), made some coffee, loaded up the car and drove off. About five and a half hours later we were standing in my buddy Craig Smith’s … Continue reading
June 2017 AT Section Hike: Meet Virginia!
In September 2009 I took my first steps on the Appalachian Trail. It was only a few months before this time that I realized that “backpacking” was even a thing, and that there was such a thing as the Appalachian … Continue reading
Posted in Appalachian Trail, AT, Gear, Trip Report
Tagged Abingdon Gap Shelter, Appalachian Trail, AT, Backpacking, BeFree Water Filter, Damascus VA, Dennis Cove Rd, Dirty Girl Gaiters, Double Springs Shelter, Enlightened Equipment, GooseFeet Gear, Grindstaff Monument, Hiking, Kincora Hostel, Laurel Falls, McQueen Knob, McQueen Knob Shelter, Pond Flats, Sawyer Mini, Shady Valley, Stateline, TN/VA, Watauga Dam, Watauga Lake, Watauga Lake Shelter, ZPacks
5 Comments
March 2017 GSMNP Day Hike: Trillium Gap Trail to Mt LeConte to Rainbow Falls Trail to Old Sugarland Trail
My son and I, along with a few others, were invited on a day hike with my buddy Benny Braden (aka: Plug-It In) last weekend (March 18th, 2017). Now as some may have seen in many of my previous trip … Continue reading
Posted in Great Smoky Mountain national Park, Trip Report
Tagged 900 Miler, Backpacking, day hike, Great Smoky Mountain national Park, Grotto Falls, GSMNP, GSMNP 900 Miler, Hiking, Mt LeConte, Mt LeConte Lodge, National Park, Old Sugarland's Trail, Rainbow Falls, Rainbow Falls Trail, Smokies, Smoky Mountains, Sugarland's Visitor Center, Trillium Gap Trail
6 Comments
January 2017 GSMNP Loop Hike
Thursday, after I got off of work and my son got out of school, we loaded our gear into my car and headed to my buddy Benny’s (Plug it In) house. We stayed the night with him at his home, … Continue reading
Posted in Trip Report
Tagged Abrams Fall's Campground, Backpacking, Campsite # 95, Campsite #13, Campsite #93, Great Smoky Mountain national Park, Gregory Bald, Gregory Bald Trail, GSMNP, Hiking, Long Hungry Ridge Trail, Loop hike, Smokies, Tail of the Dragon, Twenty Mile Loop Trail, Twenty Mile Ranger Station, Twenty Mile Trail, Wolf Ridge Trail
5 Comments
2016 GSMNP Thanksgiving Hike
While many folks decided to go “Black Friday” shopping this Thanksgiving weekend, a few of us decided to #optoutside instead! In the weeks before the hike, I proceeded to go through all the motions of someone getting ready for a much-needed … Continue reading
Posted in Appalachian Trail, Gear, Great Smoky Mountain national Park, Trip Report
Tagged Alum Cave Bluffs, Alum cave Trail, Appalachian Trail, Backpacking, Boulevard Trail, Charlies Bunion, Great Smoky Mountain national Park, Hiking, Icewater Springs Shelter, Mt LeConte Shelter, Smoky Mountains, The Jump Off
12 Comments
