I'm Still Here!

Hello everyone, anyone, someone!?

I finally did what I thought would never happen. I have left my home north of the Blue Ridge for one located just on the south side. I'm not surrounded by trails like I used to be, but there are many within ten to fifteen minutes of my new home in Dawson County, GA, and I'm eager to get out and explore some new patches of ground.

My life has changed immeasurably since my last post. I became a first time father in October of 2013 with the birth of my son. One can never underestimate the amount of time, the fatigue, and the seemingly endless train of viral diseases that are brought home from daycare. As I type this, I have not experienced a healthy day since before October 26, nearly three months ago!

For those of you unfamiliar to Dawson County, it is the location of Amicalola Falls State Park, the Len Foote Hike Inn, and includes the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at the summit of Springer Mountain. It is also home to the 10,000+ acres of The Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area. As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities that await my being able to lace up the boots and get out there. Also as you can see below, I've got a hiker in training and hope to instill in him the joy of hiking, nature's beauty, and simply a love for the quiet places.

On the personal physical improvement front, I've made good on my efforts to shed some pounds, having dropped 42 since last August. It's amazing how much weight you can lose by restricting your diet to fresh cuts of lean meats, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and drinking about 96 ounces of water every day. No potatoes, bread, rice, or refined sugars. If you're struggling, the formula is quite simple. Try it for a month and you'll be shocked how much you can lose.

On a sad note, my canine hiking companions for the past six years are no longer with me. Tobey began to suffer from heart failure in July of 2014, and was mercifully euthanized. Then in September, Rocket's life abruptly ended when he was struck by a car near the house. He had a bad habit of taking advantage of our entering or exiting the house as an opportunity to escape for a jaunt through the neighborhood. As he had grown older he had shown this urge less and less, but on that day, he made a go for it with tragic results.  They were my trail companions who loved going for a hike, seeing deer, turkey, and even a bear on occasion. They were my eyes and ears as they were always able to see or hear animals and people long before I knew of their presence. They provided me "dogpower", if you will, when it came to climbing many long grades. I do, and will always miss them terribly.

Tobey and Rocket on Buzzard's Roost, Arkaqua Trail.