This morning I woke up in what I’m going to call an ice cage. Everything that was wet from the rain was frozen solid, including my tent, pack, hiking clothes, and shoes. I had to crawl out from under my tent because the zipper was frozen shut. What a fitting last morning on trail!
Even if my shoes were too frozen to put on, I left camp in socks because nothing could stop me now!
I spent the last 8 miles of my thru hike in conversation with the Lord-what a walk we have been on together!
I got to walk the last mile of the trail with a big group of Holston/ATOM folks, my mom, and my brother. 
It was pure craziness with so many hikers finishing, but I still managed to get pictures with the boys I call my brothers and of course a face plant picture that is a perfect representation of what my body feels like right now.
My brother and I enjoyed a quick walk down the stairs at Amicalola Falls State Park where I officially registered my thru hike as complete! They say that less than 20 percent of those who start a thru hike succeed. I owe all of my thanks to the Lord, the chaplaincy crew who has supported me the whole way (as well as countless strangers), and a good dose of laughter on rainy days from my hiking buddies.
Thank you also to all of the people (most of whom I’ve never met) who read this blog and pray for me accordingly. I’ve enjoyed sharing my journey with you here and hope it inspires you to get outside and minister in the simple things. Look for a more detailed reflection on my trail experience in a week or so if you want more details about what I’ve learned about the Lord and his people on my 2190.9 mile walk.
Ps-I’m considering a thru hike of the 800 mile Arizona Trail in April–it doesn’t rain in the desert! Stay tuned!
Hawk Mountain shelter this evening served as somewhat of a reunion for hikers I’ve been just a few miles behind for the past month. When we were all in our tents, we giggled about how it was like the night before Christmas (with excitement). I don’t think anyone slept well at all…
The rest of the day was relatively uneventful as we journeyed further south into the Georgia hills. I enjoyed the chance to bounce among small groups of hikers and hear what their thoughts are on finishing the trail.
I chose not to hang my pair and instead journeyed up Blood Mtn.
With the sun shining, we set off to go further up and further in to the Georgia hills. Let me tell you, there are quite a few of them!
With the rain came a beautiful rainbow that we saw from Blue Mtn shelter.
Just a few miles, we crossed the border and entering state #14. I have officially walked from Maine to Georgia. Crazy!
By late afternoon, we made it into our last trail town: Hiawassee, GA. Once in Hiawassee, I had the privilege of spending time with a future thruhiker and chaplaincy applicant, Rachel. She blessed me with a resupply box and has been a wonderful sport to hang around in the crappiest motel I’ve ever seen with all 10 of us. 
It smells really nice in the Budget Inn with all of our wet clothes out drying. This is the definition of “hiker trash,” a term our community has claimed for itself proudly. 
Three and a half days to go!!!
The miles today were a familiar section around Standing Indian Mtn in North Carolina. However, today they meant a little bit more because we passed the 100 mile mark! Yes, my 2190.9 mile journey is down to the single digits.
Albert Mtn didn’t leave us without plenty of views. There is quite a bit of damage from the 2016 fires, but I’m glad that it’s rained way too much this year to worry about that now.
Tonight we’re bunkering down for what’s supposed to be some pretty serious weather tomorrow-stay tuned!
I got to hike 1:1 with several members of the SOBO snowball today which was a tremendous opportunity to go deeper with these individuals the Lord has placed in my life. Almost all of them have a church background, but have walked away from faith. Please pray for the Lord to reawaken their hearts for Him and draw them gently to Him in these final days on trail.
Two more balds and 21 miles later, we arrived in Franklin, NC where we were graciously picked up by a good friend of the chaplaincy, Chris. Thank you for the ride and the company you have provided!
Nevertheless, our big dysfunctional family loaded up and headed back to Stecoah Gap.
After a climb through beautiful snow that we were so very thankful to have not slept in, the SOBOs snowball reached Cheoah Bald.
Up next was what seemed like an eternal 3000+ ft descent into the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). All of the slippery downhill had me a little low in spirits, but a veggie burger at the NOC restaurant made things all better!
The climb down didn’t come without an equally tough climb out of the Nantahala gorge. However, the views back down into the gorge were simply amazing!
I can sense some really strong bonds forming in the SOBO snowball in these last days and look forward to learning more about each member as an individual in the hundred or so miles we have left. Almost there!
On the walk there, I was constantly humbled by the beauty of the fall leaves. Even though I love for the sun to be out, I really enjoyed the brilliance of the colors against the grey sky. 
The sun did come out for a few moments too while it formed a lake of clouds over Fontana. Father is such a good artist!
Upon hitching into Robbinsville for what we thought was a quick trip to Dollar General to purchase enough junk food to get us to Franklin, things took an unexpected turn.
Step 2: the Lord sends Pastor Eric into Wendy’s to dine with a man he’s just met.
I enjoyed reading some of my favorite childhood Bible stories-especially the one from 2 Kings about a bear attacking some kids who wanted to make fun of a poor old bald dude. That was a camp favorite when I worked at Wesley Woods!
At the end of a soggy, windy day, I crossed out of the Smokies and over Fontana Dam.
Tonight the newly formed tramily (now called either the SOBO Snowball or the Blueberry Patch Kids) and I are staying at the “Fontana Hilton,” one of the nicest shelters on the AT. We even have access to a bath house with running water!