Adventure Empires

 Great times! I have got to go back to DeSoto and hike the rest of their trails. Not tons of trails, but what they have is absolutely gorgeous.  This is my step-son Austin. I think this was his 2nd backpacking trip. Even though there was a shelter, I opted to sleep in my hammock. This shelter was REALLY nice. There was a rake and folding chairs hanging on the wall for us to use. We did our best to clean up and leave it exactly as we found it! Jake taking advantage of the chairs they keep at this shelter. Really nice! Mean mugging it! Troy contemplating breakfast.

 This was Hotch's first backpacking trip with his own backpack. He carried his own food, water, and cable. This was on the Cave Creek trail and the Pinhoti up to McDill's point where there's an old airplane crash. Was a bit hot but a great time.

So, it's 2021 now that I'm finially publishing this post. I probably won't be able to do the story justice at this point so I'll start with a summary: I started out with Kevin, and he did the best he could - but unfortunately he injured his back the first day of hiking and had to get a ride home. I had to make a choice. I remember being torn because I had already taken the time off work, and I really wanted to do this section, but I had never hiked alone. I decided to go for it. Thing was, I wasn't hardly ever alone. I met so many wonderful people. They even gave me a trail name of "Bama" but only because I was the only person on the trail from Alabama. I have since denounced this trail name and decided I need new trail-mates to give me a proper one that's more based on my personality or some circumstance I get into. I made it all the way to Unicoi Gap. Since then I have dreamed of doing the next section, but life has gotten in the way. Anyways, hope y