Mid April to Early May, 2018
As my sister and i travel ( she hikes, i support and hike some) north on the Appalachian Trail thru Georgia, toward North Carolina, the weather turns cold with two April winter storms passing through, bringing ice and then snow to the mountains. 
We freeze, some nights together and some separate, meeting fellow hikers and encountering trail magic on some gaps courtesy of local church organizations.
In the town of Hiawassee, we have a campfire on the budget inn lawn, giving some warmth.
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In Asheville, on a side trip, i visit my friend Amy, who makes jewelry as “Goddessa Jewels” in her studio in the Phil Mechanic building in the River Arts district.
And i find a sweet camping spot at the free Lake Chatuge TVA rec area, on the lake, seeing clouds roll in with another rainstorm ahead.
The chestnut, pine, and rhododendron rainforest at Deep Gap 2 is so serene, inspiring a song created on the harmonium as i wait for Mamaluna to emerge on the trail. Creeks cascade down mossy green woods, chipmunks hop over fungal logs in fog, with the echoes of hikers chattering, seeking shelter.
In Franklin, NC, a great trail town, we stay at Gooder Grove hostel, a homey place surrounded by trees. The owner, Zen, invites me to record my new harmonium song as part of his trail music compilation.
We also stay at the more town center Baltimore jacks hostel, and visit the Lazy hiker brewing company for a cider.
I will return to Franklin in a couple of weeks to work at the gem and mineral show.
We do get to share a 2 1/2 day hike around the headwaters of the Nantahala river, culminating in a climb up the steep, rocky Albert Mountain and its tower. Deep gap seems so distant, only a few days back in time.
By the end of April, true spring has finally come to southern Appalachia, as we approach the awesome Nantahala river gorge. We meet Runaway and he joins us for a few weeks. He plays “O Brother Where Art Thou” soundtrack which often feels like a soundtrack for our journey.
Burningtown gap is a remote part of the trail where we camp. In 1776 an Ani-tsalagi town near here was burned by white settlers, hence the name. Now a single blooming apple tree remains from its later time as an orchard…
The Nantahala river provides a spiritual backdrop for much of this period… the crickets, frogs and toads singing on the warm nights, the wild river talking under its cool fog. Rafts and kayak float by on the varying rapids. We seem to keep returning. 
Near Yellow creek gap, another remote area, between Nantahala and Fontana lake, we camp at the Creekside paradise B&B (a home), lovely glen with a hot tub but awkward interaction with the residents for just showing up. There are several clear days, then the rains come again, but this time they are warm and in mid afternoon.
There is so much to experience again in these mountains, and it’s an adventure, no matter what life or the weather has for us. We will appreciate these moments as we go onward.
“down in the river to pray”
Please, if you can, help support @Mamaluna on her AT hike. Here is her YouTube channel.
arianna's creative travels 
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