Arkansas, the eclipse, and horsing around

Hi folks!

I’m writing to y’all from Ellijay, Georgia, just about 30 minutes from Amicolola State Park, where I’ll start hiking tomorrow morning. To be clear, the official southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is at Springer Mountain. However, because it is a bit more accessible, many thru hikers begin their trips at Amicolola, which is an 8-ish mile hike from Springer. I’ll be hiking this approach trail.

Georgia, however, was not the first place I went after leaving home. I made a detour to northern Arkansas, where my parents have a permanent camper site at Caney Mountain Horse Camp near Big Flat. We spent the past few days trail riding in the Ozarks. This was my first trip to Caney, and I was not disappointed. The trails around the camp offered waterfalls, panoramic views from sandstone bluffs, and crystal clear rivers. Over three days, we rode somewhere north of thirty miles. Better than the nature, though, were all the new friends I had the pleasure of meeting. I was so grateful to meet some of the great people that my parents have come to know over their years visiting Caney. Special shout outs to Wendell and Sue for being such fun, kind folks, and to Uncle Thomas for cooking me up some mean delicious Louisiana gumbo.

Of course, while I was in Arkansas, I had to see the total solar eclipse. We spent eclipse day by riding our horses across the Buffalo River and to the top of Spencer’s Bluff, where we had a perfect, cloudless view of this awe-inspiring celestial event. I wish I had even a halfway decent photo of the eclipse, but I’m sorry to say I don’t. When I realized I couldn’t rightly get a proper photo, I quickly tried to focus on just taking in the eclipse with my own eyes, and making a memory the old fashioned way; simply by experiencing it. It was a truly surreal thing to experience, and really got me thinking about how important it can be to just sit back and appreciate the present moment.

After the eclipse, my mom and aunt Deanne were kind enough to drive me to Georgia. Sitting here in the hotel room, I have gone over my gear and made sure I’m all ready to hit the trail tomorrow. I think I’m all set and ready to go. When next I update y’all, I’ll officially be on the trail!

I’d like to give a special shout out to my parents, Ken and Kristin. I am so grateful to have spent such a memorable time with them just before leaving on this grand adventure. They truly are some of the nicest folks I’ve had the opportunity to know. I love you, mom, who I assume is actually reading this. Do me a favor and pass the message on to dad, too!

I’ll update y’all next from the Appalachian Trail!

CPT