Trek Dirty to Me: 67 days until the first step and I have Georgia on my mind.

Welcome to Georgia! The first of 14 states that I will be hiking on my way to the end of the Appalachian trail atop Mt. Katahdin in Maine. So, real talk, I have driven through Georgia probably a dozen times on my way to or from that state to the south of Georgia. I have spent exactly one night in Georgia in the town of Savanah when I was 13 years old and I remember a fountain with frogs. I have eaten at Waffle Houses in Georgia. I have filled up my car in Georgia. I have spent the night and many many many hours in Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

I once listened to Cher’s “Believe” on repeat for six and a half hours so that I wouldn’t fall asleep as I drove south to north through Georgia on my way home from my post-boarding school high school graduation road trip. Yet now, starting just a few days before my hike commences on April 1, 2020, I have the opportunity to spend almost two weeks in this proud state that I assume runs on the tears of collegiate football fans in recent years.

I could use help with a few things:

1. Who do I know in Georgia who might be interested in picking me up from the airport, putting me up for a night or two, adventuring a bit in Atlanta and then dropping me off up in Amicalola Falls after doing some adventuring in (and this is the truth) the birthplace of NASCAR and what apparently is quite awine region?

2. What should I do during this mini-calm before the storm of the AT? Where should I eat? Drink?

3. Anybody interested in hiking this first part with me? I already have one friend from high school who has expressed interest.

4. Let me know what you think of the tentative Georgia route for those first two weeks (not counting ATL.

And the current route which includes the first 100 miles of the trail in Georgia:

Note: You can always check out the most updated working draft of the route by clicking here!

• March 31 - Arrive Amicalola Falls either this day or the day before - Explore Dahlonega (home to 18 local restaurants, a gold mine, and a wine trail. Specifically visit Montaluce Winery and Restaurant. Then off to Dawsonville, which has a bootlegger history that led to the birth of NASCAR. Check out the corn whiskey at the Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery and then head to the Blue Bicycle for dinner. Finish up at the Dawsonville Pool Room before heading back to the Amicalola Falls Lodge for some shut eye.

• April 1 - Hike to Springer Mountain and camp. (9 miles)

• April 2 - Hike to Hawk Mountain and camp. (8 miles)

• April 3 - Hike to Gooch Mountain and camp. (8 miles)

• April 4 - Hike to Neel Gap and hitch to and stay at Mountain Crossings in Blairsville. I’ve heard rumors there is a brewery or winery around? Any help would be appreciated. (16 miles)

• April 5 - Hike to Whitley Gap and camp. (7 miles)

• April 6 - Hike to Unicoi Gap and hitch to Helen and stay for the evening. Helen is a German-themed town and I want to check out Betty's Country Store and Deli, Big Daddy's restaurant, and Nacoochee Village Tavern & Pizzeria. (15 miles)

• April 7 - Hike to Tray Mountain and camp. (6 miles)

• April 8 - Hike to Dicks Creek Gap and stay in Hiawassee for two days. Check out Hawg Wild BBQ & Catfish House and spend some more time in Helen. (11 miles)

• April 9 - Hiawassee and Helen (0 miles)

• April 10 - Hike to Muskrat Creek and camp. (12 miles)

• April 11 - Hike to Carter Gap and camp. (13 miles)

• April 12 - Hike out of Georgia to Winding Stair Gap and stay in Franklin, North Carolina. (16 miles)

What am I missing? Tips or tricks along the way? I am all ears!

Go Dawgs (I think…?)!

-AJ

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