Done with the BMT....

[Mags]

..and now I'm really done. [Smilie]

Tagged my truck at about 11am this morning ending my trip on the BMT. A cold, rainy last day. Now, I am sucking down coffee and eating pizza. Life ain't bad. Tomorrow I see my friends up in Blacksburg..and their beautiful new baby girl!

As I said, a wonderful trail. A bit of a PCT-like experience in the southern Apps (trail is not overly marked, need some basic navigation skills, few (3!) shelters). Do the trail if you can. Ideally, Fall (colors) or Spring (flowers) would be best..but I am not going to quibble with the gift of time I received.

The "official" ending is a road walk to Davenport Gap. I made the end of the Smokies my official ending and used the Waterville Road (one road walk is good as any..eh?), hooked up to the AT at the Pigeon Forge bridge and well, here I am.

My finish photo:

[russb]

Dude, you're getting a little frisky with that trail sign... must have been a long hike.

Just kidding around, bro. Looks like you enjoyed yourself.

[Ridgerunner]

Mags, I'm glad you had a nice trip. That picture gets the juices flowing as Big Creek is my favorite base camp in the Smokys. There are many routes you can journey from there. I wonder if the trout are biting? Too bad Mountain Mommas is no longer in business. One of her monster hamburgers was a great way to celebrate the completion of a hike.

[zelph]

Gee, that was fast!!! Congratulations on your conquest. Good way to clear your mind and get focused on what is reality and what your dreams are and which way to go, what trail is to follow, how to meet your next challenge. Lot's of good thinking time out to clear up the fuzzies. Zen is where you find it!!!!!! You have chosen well my friend.

[Mags]

It was a great trip indeed! I love it!

As for the sign. Heh. Other people said similar. What you can't tell is that I almost fell off a steep embankment and I was NOT gonna take that photo again in the cold, wet rain..

Speaking of photos..

I posted the photos with the captions:
http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,36/?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=19364&g2_page=1

..and this not related to the Benton MacKaye Trail per se, but it is part of my trail experience. I am happy for my friends and make a good surrogate uncle. Skip if you don't want to read anything non-trail related.

Anyway, the day I finished the BMT, I shaved my beard (and head!), and drove up the following day to Blacksburg to see two close friends. I held the chuppah at their wedding, spent more off-trail miles with Nahum (along with our friend Dave) than probably anyone else, etc. They were due to have their first child while I was on the trail. Their daughter was born the day BEFORE I finished! Long story short, they still wanted to see me. So, I was able to see their daughter at 1.5 days old. For a single guy like me..that is almost too scary.

Here's the photo that will probably make Momma "I want grandchildren" Mags way too excited.




My friends continue to have beautiful children. I continue to enjoy playing the role of honorary uncle. Less expensive and more fun.


As for a job. We'll see. I am scheduled for a consultation in Denver next week. I may be working for my old company in a different area. If I don't find a job by say..May..the Canadian Great Divide Trail is looking good.

[dlarson]

I'm glad your trip was a success. It sounds like you had a good time!

[irrationalsolutions]

i wish i could get out long enough to go on a good hike like that!

[zelph]

[quote="Mags"]http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,36/?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=19364&g2_page=1

For a single guy like me..that is almost too scary.

Here's the photo that will probably make Momma "I want grandchildren" Mags way too excited.




My friends continue to have beautiful children. I continue to enjoy playing the role of honorary uncle. Less expensive and more fun.

quote]

Anything in the works being planned for your own family?

"Papa Mags" sounds like a great trail name