What an amazing feeling to be finally walking away on the Appalachian Trail, north bound thru-hikers, class of 2015. The guys drop us at the parking lot where we descended from Springer yesterday afternoon. It is overcast and breezy but we are excited to be off! The trail is not difficult as we walked through rhododendron forest encroaching into the underbrush, a few ups and downs. We make good progress stopping after 3 hours for a quick lunch. We are still marvelling at the fact that we are here and walking 'the trail'.

We met a few nice people at the Hostel, most of whom are starting today as well. We will see them in the days, weeks and months ahead. Our trail names are Arlene: 'Everyready' and Anda: 'Unhinged'. On the Trail everyone has a name and you are known by that name up and down the Trail. You sign into Shelter logs with your trail name and no one knows you as anything else. It feels like being reborn or hiding from your real life, like you can be anyone you want to be for the duration of the hike. 

We settle on a campsite in the woods around 4 to avoid the walk down into Horse Gap. Arlene is feeling a little twinge in her knee so erring to caution will pay off. Tents set up and our miserly 'stuff' spread out for reorganization. There is a momentary panic when Anda can't  find the tea bags she is sure were in her pack. After a mad search success and we enjoy a wonderful cup of tea and amazing hazelnut biscuits Mary had sent along. We enjoy our first of what will be many freeze dried meals; vegetables with couscous and sausage. It tastes like gourmet, really delicious. We find a suitable branch to hang our food on the bear line from, after several tries we snag a branch and hoist up the bags. 

Twilight to dark is from 7:30-8:00. We are snug in our tents and bags by 8, konked out by 8:05. Incredible how quickly sleep comes when you have walked all day.