Tales Between Trails: Georgia to Vermont Part 1

Friday, May 31st – Sunday, June 2nd, 2019

We passed through the archway of the Approach Trail at Amicalola Falls State Park, and slept at the Max B. Epperson Shelter the day prior. Our trail brother Wokman, who we hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT) with in 2016 was going to pick us up at the lodge. We were going to hang out with him and his family in Marietta until Frisbee’s cousin, Nina from Birmingham was able to pick us up and take us back to Maryland. While hiking the Pinhoti Trail, we had harassed Middle Brother, our friend from the AT the second time around in 2017, and tried to persuade him to meet up with us. We never heard back from him. So we were stoked to see both Wokman and Middle Brother walk through the doors of the lodge! It was great reuniting with our trail brothers. They brought us chicken biscuits from Chick-Fil-A, and we chatted on the deck of the lodge before driving back down to the visitor center.

After taking a few sentimental pictures at the archway, we started heading towards Marietta. I don’t know if it was Wok’s deranged driving maneuvers or the fact that we hadn’t ridden in a car in ages (aside from short hitches to town), but I was feeling a little car sick. Fortunately we were traveling in fragments as Wok gave us a short tour of the area.

We visited beautiful Helton Creek Falls, passed through Booger Hollow, then he took us to bag a peak, Georgia’s high point, Brasstown Bald.

There was a fee to get in, so I was grateful that the guys humored me and followed through without complaints. Thanks again, guys! I love you!

Before arriving in Marietta, we drove thru McDonald’s and stopped to get a group picture at the Season Inn at Blairsville to send to Panda. He was the only hiker missing since the last time we were all there together in 2017.

It was nice to arrive in Marietta and see Wok’s wife Honey and the kids. When we weren’t kicking back in the comfort of the AC eating an unhealthy amount of ice cream, we were touring around town.

Although driving through Atlanta is the bane of Wok’s existence, he humored us again by taking us to the ATL, a city I have never been to. Thanks again, Wok! We walked around Centennial Olympic Park before eating at the Braves All Star Grill which served up some bangin’ burgers!