Do you remember the feeling of your first big solo hike? I had so many thoughts running through my head before I got out of the car. The first one was and still is everytime — “Am I at the right trail head?” The second because I watch to many crime documentaries is “Does anything look out of place?” If anyone was waiting in their car at that same trailhead looking at me whipping my head through all my car windows they probably would have just pulled off that moment and said NOPE. Needless to say I did get out of my car.

I refill my water pack, attach the straw to my backpack shoulder strap and start walking towards the trail head. This particular hike is a stretch of the Appalachian Trail which is super cool because you are bound to meet someone who is going the whole 2,190 mile trek. I feel it fitting to at the very least shout out the girl I met not even 5 steps onto the trail. I don’t remember her name but I asked her how long it took her to hike the whole trail and after telling me, she followed that answer with the fact that her knee gave out the last HOUR which slowed her down. So if you were hiking Charlies Bunion in June of 2020 and you popped your knee — you are the TRUE MVP. At one point during that trail I seriously found myself saying if she can do this there is no way I am backing out.

Along the trail is beautiful green scenery in all directions. Tranquil overlooks with views of hills for days while birds are chirping songs in the distance. Along every trail I hike at a certain point I love to just stop. Stop thinking, stop walking and just stand there in the absolute dead silence. No cars buzzing, people talking, phone notifications dinging and just take all the nature around me in.

After about 2 hours I am coming around the bend of the overlook. This moment is and will forever be my favorite feeling, the jitters of excitement knowing the last 2 hours & 4 miles were worth every drop of sweat and let me tell you these views did NOT disappoint. Sitting on the rock or “The Bunion” I shall say, looking off into the horizon is something I could have done until the sun set.

Thank you for exploring with me! To get the whole feel, watch my vlog on youtube of my day in the Smokies. https://youtu.be/5uY_okEPDbE