Monday, March 20, 2006
Weichert & Craven
A shout out to my friends at Weichert & Craven Realty in Cabarrus County, N.C. My journey is an extension of many others' longings and desires. As I learn more about myself and others along this historic foot trail, may you also journey to new places. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm. 
2 Weeks and Counting
My life in Concord, North Carolina already seems like someone else's story. I began experiencing this strange disconnect from the reality of my occupation and life situation there, starting in February. Most of the pertinent planning for the A.T. journey went into effect at the end of January and into February, consuming my every thought and feeling. Though I still had a few months to live in N.C., I quickly began to paint myself into a corner emotionally. With the start date looming closer at each passing day, my mind was absorbed with images of trail life, characters I would meet along the way, and situations I might face on any given day. And so....I had no idea what I would feel as I drove out of the state for the last time.
I'll be honest, it was hard driving out of North Carolina a week ago, knowing that the next time I will be passing through the Tarheel state will be on foot, with a 30 lb pack on my back, possibly in the pouring rain, or maybe as the trees are budding and the flowers are blooming. My life will never be the same. When I come back to North Carolina my body, my soul, my spirit will be renewed and conditioned through six months of relying only on my God and my knowledge of survival, to endure, with all of the other creatures of this earth, the beauty and the fury of nature. I will be a different person, someone with a new story to tell, a new life to live.
God promises to bless his people. I believe! Not only will I be a changed person upon my return to North Carolina, I have already been changed by the folks that live there. The abundant outpouring of encouragement and support from my coworkers and students rendered me speechless at best, and dumbfounded at worst. I have never witnessed, let alone personally experienced, the incredible power of God's love, like I did these past few months at J.N. Fries Middle School. I know this life journey of mine is God's purpose for me at this moment in time. The support and encouragement from friends, family, and even strangers is proof of an active living God. Thank you for being a part of God's plan for my life. I am two weeks from my start date, counting down the days and making the days count.
I'll be honest, it was hard driving out of North Carolina a week ago, knowing that the next time I will be passing through the Tarheel state will be on foot, with a 30 lb pack on my back, possibly in the pouring rain, or maybe as the trees are budding and the flowers are blooming. My life will never be the same. When I come back to North Carolina my body, my soul, my spirit will be renewed and conditioned through six months of relying only on my God and my knowledge of survival, to endure, with all of the other creatures of this earth, the beauty and the fury of nature. I will be a different person, someone with a new story to tell, a new life to live.
God promises to bless his people. I believe! Not only will I be a changed person upon my return to North Carolina, I have already been changed by the folks that live there. The abundant outpouring of encouragement and support from my coworkers and students rendered me speechless at best, and dumbfounded at worst. I have never witnessed, let alone personally experienced, the incredible power of God's love, like I did these past few months at J.N. Fries Middle School. I know this life journey of mine is God's purpose for me at this moment in time. The support and encouragement from friends, family, and even strangers is proof of an active living God. Thank you for being a part of God's plan for my life. I am two weeks from my start date, counting down the days and making the days count.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Wrapping It All Up!
My new tarptent: 28 ounces total pack weight! It has no poles, or floor. Have to shave the weight off somewhere, right? I use my trekking poles as tent poles. Check it out!
This is what I've been doing since January: dehydrating
fruits, vegies, and meat!
My freezer was nearly full of these such items.
Packing day: Saturday, March 11. Bye, Bye Concord, N.C
Megan McNutt, my mail drop angel.
12 boxes, Megan, don't forget! Thank you so much, you rock!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Waterfall Tour: Transylvania County, S.C.
The day after the Hospital Rock Run hike, Beka and I decided to take a down day and drive to as many waterfalls as we could. Transylvania county is the location of Brevard, N.C., and the land of over 150 waterfalls. We capped out on four beautiful falls for the day. We would have viewed five, but we ran a muck on a "trail to nowhere", when we were looking for Moore Cove Falls in Pisgah National Forest. Come to find out (an hour later), we had taken the "path less traveled", and it had "made all of the difference" (in the words of Robert Frost). We never saw the falls thanks to the darn switchbacks!
Hooker Falls (13 foot)
High Falls (200 feet)
Triple Falls (my favorite)
Looking Glass Falls (75 feet)
Jones Gap State Park, S.C.
Beka and I left our mark on Hospital Rock Run Trail in Jones Gap State Park. We didn't realize the irony behind the name Hospital Rock until we were half way up the side of the mountain, gasping for air, and thinking about nothing except the sharp pains shooting through our aching legs. Thank goodness for the process of Fermentaion (a little science joke for all of you who know the limits of Cellular Respiration).
On the trail we encountered shear cliff faces with cables to aid in climbing vertically, trees shaped like prehistoric creatures, boulders the size of cars, and a beautiful waterfall near the end of our 8 mile/6 hour hike.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Why Not Send Me Some Mail?
Friday was exactly one month from my official last day of teaching this year. My time at J.N. Fries Middle School is quickly drawing to an end. Whether I'm ready for it or not, time is steadily moving on. I have some gear I still need to purchase and test, but for the most part I am nearly "outfitted" for my journey.
It has taken me some time, but I have finally mapped out a preliminary itinerary for the first 46 days of our hike. As Megan and I adjust to the terrain and the weather we may veer from our itinerary, hopefully arriving at our planned destinations earlier, rather than later.
Below are the four major towns that we will be traveling through during our first 46 days. We would love to hear from you as we walk through the first three states (Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee) of our 14 state tour. If you are interested in sending letters, cards, pictures, or packages, you may use the Post Office addresses below. Make sure you include my name and a note on the envelope or package to "Hold for A.T. Hiker", as well as an ETA - expected arrival date.
Leslie Gottschalk ETA - April 24
General Delivery
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Leslie Gottschalk ETA - May 1
General Delivery
Hot Springs, NC 28743
Leslie Gottschalk ETA - May 9
General Delivery
Erwin, TN 37650
Leslie Gottschalk ETA - May 18
General Delivery
Damascus, VA 24236
Don't forget to include a return address, in case the mail misses us as we move through the towns. I will update the blog periodically as I have internet access on the trail.
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