Double Blaze

Book by: Tim Michael

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In 1985 I found myself burned out from a high stress job at the age of twenty-six. I needed a change of direction and decided to attempt a long distance hike from Georgia to Maine along the Appalachian Trail. I was on a limited budget and the trail maps were expensive so I decided to hike without them. After all, the trail is very well marked by white rectangular blazes on tree trunks and rocks. A double blaze alerts hikers to a change of direction. For me, the Appalachian Trail was my double blaze in life. I filled up six notebooks documenting my journey and this memoir is based on those notes and the memories each entry sparks.

Memoir journal hiking appalachian-trail thru-hike

Chapter 1

Change in Direction

Late at night in a trail shelter in the Smoky Mountains a half dozen of my best friends and I were in our sleeping bags and packed in lik... Read Chapter

Chapter 2

The Hike Begins

During my first week on the Appalachian Trail I got to know some of my fellow hikers and realized this might be more of a social thing than I realized. I also gained a new respect for the weather.
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Chapter 3

Great Smoky Mountains

The next morning at Cold Spring shelter, Pete Van Why announced it was eighteen degrees at 7:00 a.m. and a light dusting of snow had fall... Read Chapter

Chapter 4

Hot Springs with Heday

On April 17th we all gathered at Cosby Knob shelter. Everyone was present except Don the Udder Farm Boy who was missing in action. I was ... Read Chapter

Chapter 5

Erwin, Tennessee

Monday morning I sat on the top row of steps of the Rich Mountain tower and prepared my breakfast while taking in the view of Bluff Mount... Read Chapter

Chapter 6

The Tingles Sign Company

On April 27, I found myself twelve miles from the nearest shelter and caught in a downpour, yet I remained dry enough to write in my jour... Read Chapter

Chapter 7

Roan Mountain to Damascus

On the morning of April 29, I lingered at the Clyde Smith shelter waiting for the camp fire to go out while a cranky old crow yelled at m... Read Chapter

Chapter 8

Hiking with Big Dog

On May 7, I had lunch along highway 58 with Deano, Todd, and Dan the Glamour Boy, who also goes by the Spice Kid. A section hiker named M... Read Chapter

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