Walking the Ridge to 300 Miles!

June 9, 2025

I met “3rd Generation” this morning. There were some tough downhills with Bo. I’ve still been feeling really rushed. Rushed to get to Fontana to drop off Bo and then rushed to pick him up in Davenport, rushed to meet friends, and make calls. I also realized that I’m walking in essence to my dad, Mike’s funeral, where we will be spreading his ashes. It’s been messing with my head a bit to realize what I am walking to, but it also reminds me why I am walking. I’m walking in memory of Mike and for him with every step. The grief hits hard somedays on the trail, and today is one of those days.

Bo and I put in some good miles today. Early in the morning, I saw a black bear mom and cub in a tree and then climbed down and ran off when they saw Bo. The duct tape I put on my heels is not staying well, and my heels are rubbing raw. I’m starting to find dead ticks on Bo. I saw “Skittles,” who I last saw in the Smokies. She was headed back to a hostel.

Bo and I entered into the Cherokee National Forest. We also met the Southern Cookie Lady. I got a peanutbutter cookie, Bo got water and treats, and I got to throw away our trash.

I stopped at Little Laural Shelter–my feet are killing me. I met “Cinderella” and “Acorn.” “Acorn” completely saved my feet and increased my mental well-being, and all she did was give me a cpuple wraps of lukotape. It’s more sticky than duct tape and acts as a barrier between my shoes and heels. I’ve been in pain for 2 days now, and now the pain is gone thanks to the tape and another hiker’s generosity. It’s amazing how taking a break, having a snack, doing a pack adjustment, taping feet, and elevating feet will do for my mental headspace.

Bo and I pushed on 2.5 miles to the spring and filled up all the water. There were already lots of tents set up in the field, so Bo and I decided to push on toward whiterocks cliffs, then ridge climbed to Big Firescald Knob. There were many views and even a bad weather bypass trail. It was steep and rocky with 360-degree views. It was pretty sketchy, and I fell a couple of times. I tried giving Bo a longer lead, which helped a bit. We stopped at Howard’s rock, and then we hit mile 300!!!

We called it quits at Lick Log Gap, where there would have been a nice tent site, despite the fact that it was surrounded by snags. We found a spot away from the snags in some grass. Bo kept barking at the rhododendron patch as it got dark out–its spooky for him to bark so aggressively and not see or hear a thing. I’m pretty sure his barks scared off anything prowling around within 50 miles.