82-year-old Man Sets Out on the Appalachian Trail for the Third Time

Saturday–March 13,  2021
Trail Day–022
Trail Mile–12.0/242.6
Location–West Armuchee Road, then to home of Tim and Donna Tate, Ringgold

Tim & Donna Tate are long-distance hikers. On the trail they go by Hikernutt & Tagalong. They supported Rick Vagabond Rick Guhse when he hiked the Pinhoti Trail two decades ago. They’ve since remained friends–and now they’re friends of mine. Thanks, Vagabond, for getting us together!

A fine spaghetti dinner prepared by Donna last evening and a great night’s sleep–and Copperhead and me, we’re ready to hit the trail again this morning. Tim and Donna get us to Mack White Gap and we’re hiking shortly after seven–makings of another great day on the Pinhoti Trail!

Climbing to the ridge above US-27/Mack White Gap (seems there’s always a climb to the ridge) we soon enter an area of longleaf pine restoration/reforestation. We pause to read about “Restoring the Longleaf Pine Forest.” Very informative! Hopefully, you’ll be able to zoom in enough to read the longleaf story.

They got a later start, but being faster hikers (and as usual) Little John & Ryan soon catch us–and we hike the pleasant ridge walk along Taylor Ridge together.

Everything is popping now. The serviceberry is in full bloom, the blackberries greening up.

Descending Taylor Ridge, we have a pleasant walk along rural Narrows Road–to Copperhead’s car parked early this morning at West Armuchee Road.

Heading back to the Tate home in Ringgold, we make a couple stops. One at the infamous Dollar General near Summerville where Dixie almost got arrested, then to everybody’s favorite place In Summerville, Burger Shack!

The vast longleaf pine forests of prehistoric North America will not return, but …conservationists hope that the current acreage can be maintained and possibly increased in the future.
(Robert Carter, Jacksonville State University)

Friday–March 12, 2021
Trail Day–021
Trail Mile–9.5/230.6
Location–Mack White Gap, then to home of Tim and Donna Tate, Ringgold

Happy times, sad times–had to bid goodbye to Angela last evening, then this morning, as Tim drops Copperhead and me off at Highpoint Trailhead, it’s farewell to him. Plans are for them to meet up and hike some with me on up the trail, so I’ll take solace in those thoughts for now.

Another great hiking day is in the making as we set to the 700′ climb back up and onto to the ridge beyond Highpoint. At the campsite near the old firetower we catch up with Ryan and Little John. They’re in the process of breaking camp as we pass and they soon come along to join us–and hike with us the remainder of the day.

Copperhead, Little John, Ryan and I aren’t the only ones making tracks today. A segment of the trail passes along an old dirt road, and in the dirt are fresh turkey and deer tracks! So very appropriate, the turkey tracks. The word Pinhoti is Cherokee for Turkey Home. The symbol on the plastic Pinhoti Trail blaze is the turkey track!

A short break mid-morning, then we hike it on down to US-27 at Mack White Gap–and the end to this exceptionally fine day trekking the Georgia Pinhoti Trail!

Evening now, after dropping Ryan and Little John off at Coach Inn in Summerville, we continue on to Ringgold, where we’re the guests at the home of Tim and Donna Tate.

The Wanderlust has blest me in a ragged blanket curled,
I’ve watched the gulf of Heaven foam with stars;
I’ve walked with eyes wide open to the wonder of the world,
I’ve seen God’s flood of glory burst its bars.
(Robert Service)

Thursday–March 11, 2021
Trail Day–020
Trail Mile–12.6/221.1
Location–High Point Trailhead, then to home of Tim & Angela Groves, Rome

A wonderful evening last, with Tim & Angela Groves in Rome. Gracious and kind hosts. A lovely, spacious home. I soaked my weary bones in their tub for the longest time. Then–Copperhead and I were served a delicious evening meal prepared by Angela. Don’t know how, but somehow I managed to stay awake to finish my journal entry.

Tim has an early meeting he needs to attend this morning, so the car shuffle is done and he’s got Copperhead and me back on trail shortly after seven.

Our hike today, just shy of 13 miles, will be pretty much flat and straight, along the old Simms Mountain Rail Trail. Little John camped near the trail last night, and as luck would have it, he’s just finished breaking camp, so he falls in with Copperhead and me–and we hike the day together. A bit cloudy, plus smoke from a nearby controlled burn, but we’re having a grand time and by late morning we’re well over halfway through the hike today, as we arrive Holland’s Store–where we go for drinks snacks (and a short rest). The memory of this old store has stuck with me, as it’s changed little in the past 23 years–and this is my third (passin’ thru) stop at Holland’s.

With less than two miles to go to reach Highpoint Trailhead, the Pinhoti leaves the rail grade to follow along new cut trail. Little John has decided to hike on but Highpoint is it for this old intrepid and Copperhead.

Pizza for lunch, then it’s back to spend the night once more with Tim & Angela. Supper is on Copperhead and me, Downtown Rome. A mighty fine day