Nimblewill Nomad
Long Distance Hiker/Author
Journal 35-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!
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Friday–March 26, 2021
Trail Day–035
Trail Mile–13.0/394.2
Location–Skeena Gap Road
We’ve been staying at the Skeena Mill Campground the last two nights. It’s a fine facility. Barry slept on his cot in the pavilion and I stayed in the van.
Right decision to sit the storm out yesterday. The thunderstorms were intense, dumping buckets of rain.
The storms have cleared out and are gone this morning, but not the flooding. Heading back to Shallowford Bridge we run into a problem, the Toccoa River is well above flood stage and is out of its banks. The road we’re on follows the
river and is under water in places, one in particular. Here the river seems to be running right down the road. Traffic is backed up. No one wants to attempt going through. Waiting, waiting–something has got to give if I’m going to get in this hiking day. Finally, I take my shoes, socks, and gators off, get my hiking sticks and head out in it, Barry follows when he sees I’m wading in no more than a foot of water.
The trail crosses the Toccoa River at Shallowford Bridge, then follows the road right next the river for a fair distance. The river is up to the road in places but not over 
the road and I’m able to pass.
Leaving the river, the trail climbs–and climbs, clear up to the old lookout tower on Brawley Mountain. As the day continues, the ups and downs continue.
Barry comes to check on me mid day, then hikes in–only to turn around and hike back out with me at day’s end.
I thoroughly expected the trail to be in bad shape from the storms, but it’s
fine and the day goes quite well…
What you are afraid to do
is a clear indication of
the next thing you need to do.
(Emerson)
2 Comments on “Journal 35-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!”
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Nimblewill Nomad 
All this flooding reminds me of your starting out on the Florida Trail for the ECT hike. There, amidst the terrible flooding, you were seasoned and hardened and what you are now experiencing seems easier than the Florida experience, especially since you have immediate support. I have every confidence in you. Hike on brother!
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I am amazed every time I read your post. You rock, Sunny.
Teresa
“Mary Poppins”
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