Nimblewill Nomad
Long Distance Hiker/Author
Journal 11-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!
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Tuesday–March 2, 2021
Trail Day–011
Trail Mile–18.0/115.2
Location–Heflin, Americas Best Value Inn
What a grand time with the Cranford’s last evening–southern hospitality at its finest!
I would like to get back on the trail by eight this morning, so Rick is up fixing coffee a bit after six, plus a fine breakfast of eggs and toast for me. Then we’re out and gone, back to the trailhead where Rick fetched me from the trail
yesterday evening. I’m pack up and haulin’ a few minutes after eight.
Rick had told me this was one of his favorites sections of the Pinhoti. And I quickly 
see why; manicured tread that winds and dips into quiet coves of hardwood and pine, along little (rock-hopper) streams. There are many climbs, but they’re not the least unpleasant. Little Hillabee Falls, it’s worth the hike in just to see them. No roaring thunder. Nothing spectacular. Just an intimate and delightful spot tucked a ways down in a picturesque cove.
There are also many little streams and brooks along the trail today, offering fine, level campsites. Some require fording (rock hops), others have bridges. And the happy trail just winds and winds along.
I reach the100-mile mark on the Pinhoti today. So, I’m just shy of a fourth of the way to Springer Mountain and the beginning of the Appalachian Trail. I should arrive there the last of this month.
I’d planned on ending my hike for today at FSR-500, the Heflin Spur parking lot. But it’s just mid afternoon and it’s only 3.5 miles on in, so decision is to go for Heflin–an 18-mile day.
A short way up the spur trail I hear a chainsaw. Come to find it’s Adam Dasinger clearing a blowdown. Adam is a good friend and we spend a bit of time talking trail.
In Heflin, at city hall, I meet Tammy Perry, then shortly comes Robby Brown, Heflin Mayor. It’s picture time by the Pinhoti Trail sign out front. The mayor is truly glad to meet me; a happy time! Adam stops by to drive me to the motel down at the interstate–my room there provided and paid for by the kind and generous folks of (this super fine trail-town) Heflin.
In the evening, and after driving all the way up from Montgomery, my good friend Chris Kent arrives just in time to drive Little John, Swampwater, Braden (hikers staying the night) and the old Nimblewill, over to the Damn Yankee Whiskey Bar for supper.
A mighty fine day…
The goal we all strive toward is happiness,
contentment, the dignity of the individual,
and the good life.
(Sigurd Olson)
5 Comments on “Journal 11-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!”
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Nimblewill Nomad 
Great seeing you on the Heflin Spur
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Safe travels my new friend and inspiration in this world ! Happy trails ! Peace and God bless ! Heflin is my hometown. Tammy Perry is the best !
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Following with you Sunny. It’s Mary and Carl. We pray that you feel our love going with you on the trail. We talked that time, and said sometimes your journey’s are not literally miles, but miles inside the thoughts of the mind. I’m with you their, being that my body is failing me these days. I see you again soon. I’m just so so excited about your once again foot stepping journey. Be careful out there! We have a pandemic! I pray you be kept safe away from it, much love, Mary
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You are looking great, we are enjoying your odyssey!
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We look forward to your daily journals… So good to see people along your journey are being so kind and taking care of you! #NimblewillStrong #YouGotThis
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