And so it begins. There are only 2,189 miles to go now. Joe Gavalda, Pamela Hembree, and Jan Haney have joined me for the first 9.5 miles up some of the steepest elevation of the trail.
We drove to the top of Springer Mountain where we waited several hours for our shuttle driver. Sadly he was running late because his previous customers were late at the Atlanta Airport due to snow in the Northeast.
When he finally arrived it was a race back to the State Park in order to allow me to actually register. When we got there the door was locked. Mercy was the order of the day though as a Park Ranger allowed me to crash the door and register. I’m the 179th joker to register for the actual hike.
The four of us managed to climb the 600 steps ( with a few stops) Well more than a few!!! Jan’s comment, “I can’t breathe!”
It was only a mile….. but it’s one less mile to go. Hopefully I will be more in tune to WordPress as I go. Tomorrow nights post will be from my tent…… I hope.
Wanderings With Wayne 
Already can’t wait to read every word.
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Awesome Wayne! Enjoy the journey!
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A great beginning. And I have now recovered and can breathe again.
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Reblogged this on Write in Front of Me and commented:
And the best of trails to Wayne, who has begun his own Appalachian Trail sojourn!
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Great day today. He’s going to do it!
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Enjoy your adventure! Looking forward to keeping up through your blog.
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Hike on Grasshopper, sleep peacefully tonight!
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👍 Wayne, you can do this! I am so excited for you and really wish I was sharing this adventure!
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Fair Winds & God Speed!
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One step at a time, one day at at a time. Remember, the journey is the reward! Hike on my friend!
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I appreciate the thought and that will be my plan!!!!
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Happy Trails
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I am so excited for you. Glad you will keep us posted
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just keep putting one foot in front of the other and take time to enjoy the views I have confidence that you will finish this but it’s not the destination, it’s the journey so our best to you and stay safe Ron and Sharon Blake
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wishing you only the best…..be safe .
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May the Lord bless you as much as He did when I made my hike. I’ll be watching. Jakebrake, aka Bill Strickland
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I meant to tell you this before you left and forgot. If you happen to stop at Muskrat Shelter (first one in NC) to spend the night there is a side trail to the most beautiful sunset ever there. Also the fuselage of a downed plane is scattered in the woods. Hope it works out that’s where you will be for the night.
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