John here. Battered and broken (I needed a shower and a mustache trim… Jess doesn’t smell or have facial hair) and craving sustenance (Jess wanted a salad) we stumbled down the hill to our shelter (a pre-reserved cabin). After five grueling days (including the days Jess just posted about), countless miles (probably around 40 miles), strange animals, and being trailed by a dog and a guy

(Craig, thanks for bringing Muffin out to see us for a couple of days!) we made it out of the woods and onto Gainesville Hwy in Neels Gap in North Georgia.

Trail life has really been pretty great so far. We have had some blisters (Jess’s was full of blood) and some aches/pains (I’m still a little chubby), but up until now we’ve been having a great time. Our little trail family for the last few days has included a couple of brothers (David and John), a lone wolf from Missouri (Chadd), Candice from Detroit, Craig, and Muffin.

We’ve walked through slopes of blooming Trillium,

and yesterday we crested Blood Mountain (the highest point on the AT in Georgia @ 4,500 ft… Colorado people stop laughing).