We love the Appalachian Trail

We just got back from our first trip on the Appalachian Trail (Belinda & Willow's first ever backpacking trip!). It was a great success! We had planned on doing 5 days beginning at the approach trail and ending at Neels Gap. However due to Willow's pre-trip limping, & Neels Gap's closure due to bear activity, to name a few issues, we changed our plans. Day one we did a test run day hike starting from Neels Gap and over Blood Mountain. Seeing as Willow kicked Blood Mountain's butt, we knew we'd be okay doing a couple days on the trail. The next day we started out at mile one. Somehow, our packs weren't heavy at all! about 20lbs each plus food and water. We left out a lot of creature comforts: We didn't bring sleeping pads, or a cup, or a change of clothes. We opted for the tiny iodine jar instead of a filter. We saved precious ounces by forgetting the map, I mean, leaving it behind intentionally. Anyways, we felt good.
The first night we stayed at Hawk Mtn shelter, where Willow valiantly defended us from bugs all night long and earned his trail name "FLY SLAYER!!!!"
The next day was the hardest. My boots were killing me so I strapped them to my pack and went barefoot for a day and a half, which was a totally great idea until we got back to the hostel and I saw the 15 or so blood blisters on my feet. Later on I was given the trail name "Gator Foot" which I think is pretty funny, so I think Ill keep it. Belinda got the name Giggles (I wonder why?), but she might swap out if she gets a better one. We had great company at the shelters both nights, and we just love the appalachian trail camaraderie we felt. We are hooked. I can't wait to get back on the trail. We wanted to do more but didn't want to push Willow too far. Yeah and thats why we were so slow, and why we had to take so many breaks all the time, because of Willow. Hes our scape goat, I mean, our weakest link is what I meant to say. Not me and Belinda, we are total bad asses.
Oh yeah and then this one time, we had to fight all these bears off with our bare hands, no big deal.
Love,
Gatorfoot, Giggles, and Fly Slayer