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Trail Journal




Date: December 26 2000
Trail Day: 209
Miles Today: 20
Location: Clairmont Gap
Section Mile: APT 106
ECT Mile: 3134

Last night was fairly warm - above freezing. My water bottles had no ice in them. This is the first time thats happening in about 10 days. Completed the rest of the climb upto the ridge. It became surprisingly rocky and stony. That along with all the leaves made for very slippery hiking. The Leki poles sure came in handy.

I was also able to find water from some small stream, so there was no problem. Once again its fairly clear that the mountains have ended to the west and the east.

The day somehow just flew by. The terrain was fairly difficult. There are almost no flat areas. So its up and down all the time, though almost never very steep. Got some very good views.

Also completed all climbs above 2000 ft today. There is still some ice above that elevation and the wind is strong and cold. Also found that I have some milage problems in this journal. I shold be showing about 125 instead of 106. I will have to resolve that once the hike is complete.



Date: December 27 2000
Trail Day: 210
Miles Today: 29
Location: Abandoned Barnyard
Section Mile: FAR 20
ECT Mile: 3163

It rained a little last night but by morning everything was dry. I can now see city lights almost everywhere at night. The mountains sure are ending.

The trail was quite rocky in the beginning but the last 4 miles or so were very good. Completed the APT. Took some shots at the trail head. Continued walking on SR 77 and onto CR 7. It started raining and I got thoroughly wet. It was getting late and I decided to go to Goodwater for the night. It was another 9 miles. but along the way I saw an abandoned barnhouse and decided to stop there.

Later at night I could visualize things in vivid detail and color. I have never been able to do that.



Date: December 28 2000
Trail Day: 211
Miles Today: 25
Location: Motel 8, Alexander City
Section Mile: FAR 45
ECT Mile: 3188

I was expecting the temperature to drop sharly overnight but it did not. The clouds stayed on and held the heat. I got into my wet clothes. It wasn't that bad. Walked to Goodwater. They told me there were no motels in Goodwater. The nearest ones were in Alexander City or Syllacauge. Syllacauge is in the opposite directoin so I decided to go to Alexander City which is only slightly out of the way. It was a good thing that I did not hike to Alexander city last night as there were no motels.

Decided to walk along the CSX rail road to Rte 280 and then into Alexander City. Saw 1 train go by. I like walking on railway lines for some reason.

By the time I got to Alexander City, I was cold and miserable. I could not even fill out my Registration card. My hands were so stiff and swollen. I am now glad to be in a heated room.



Date: December 29 2000
Trail Day: 212
Miles Today: 0
Location: Motel 8, Alexander City
Section Mile: FAR 45
ECT Mile: 3188

A 0 day. Slept most of the time.



Date: December 30 2000
Trail Day: 213
Miles Today: 23
Location: SR 63, CR 80 junction
Section Mile: FAR 68
ECT Mile: 3211

It was a bright clear day. My route was mostly SR 63. It went through Lake Masteri. Its a huge beautiful lake. The water is bluish green - almost like the sea in Florida. Saw numerous hunters in trucks driving by. Many of the drivers wave at me as they drive by.

Also saw an armadillo 4 ft from me. They are funny looking creatures. There are tons of them in Florida.

Slept about 200 ft from the road in a patch of trees.



Date: December 31 2000
Trail Day: 214
Miles Today: 35
Location: Days Inn, Montgomery
Section Mile: FAR 103
ECT Mile: 3246

A personal record today - 35 miles. Was quite worn out when I got to Montgomery. Also saw the first Cypress trees in the hike. I thought they grow only in South Florida. I have now seen Armadillos, Cypress trees and flat terrain, all things I have seen in Florida. The only thing missing is the warm weather.

Got up to partially frozen water bottles. I was woken up by some people shouting. There was a fire in one of the homes.

Had lunch in Wetumpka. People are very friendly and wave to me from cars. A police officer stopped me to talk and make sure things were OK.

Most of the shops are closed because of Sunday and New Years eve. Got a very good room at the Days Inn.



Date: January 1 2001
Trail Day: 215
Miles Today: 16
Location: Knights Inn, Montgomery
Section Mile: FAR 119
ECT Mile: 3262

Decided to do a short day and just walk across town to the southern side. It was very interesting. The downtown was nice. It was deserted because it was a holiday. Then the neighborhood became quite rough and run down. I look scruffy enough to fit right in. One guy tried to buy drugs from me, another tried to sell me gold chains, one asked me if I was homeless. A lady police officer looked at me dramatically while driving by. The look said - Be careful mister, I 'm keeping my eyes on you.

Got near I-65. There are atleast 10 motels here.







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