Apple Picking and Hiking the AT

As fall approaches, so does apple season! The perfect time for picking apples is going on right now and OAR took full advantage this past weekend. We drove up Friday night as per usual and camped in a parking lot near the AT trail at Sam's Gap, where we were starting our hike. Since the trip consisted of two cars, we decided to leave one car at the start, drive the other car to the end, and hike in two separate groups, meeting in the middle to camp Saturday night and exchanging keys. My car volunteered to drive to the other end and stopped at the Heavenly Holler Farm for some apple picking. The owner of the orchards was extremely friendly. He took us up to the orchards and gave us a tour, allowing us to sample each variety of apple. He told us we could eat as many as we wanted for no charge and then any apples we picked would cost only 75 cents per pound. There were also some blueberries that were ripe and we ate our fair share of them.

After apple picking and purchasing, we headed for the trail at Spivey Gap. We hiked up at a slow pace, accommodating the one new hiker among four experienced backpackers, Deepika. She was a good sport and she kept up fairly well despite her heavy pack and despite having Jeff to keep up with. We were all relieved to finally reach the bald after miles of green tunnels. The views were astounding, all 360 degrees' worth. Jeff and Logel set up their tent while Chelsea, Deepika, and I decided to stay at the shelter down the trail a little ways, where the other car was staying. Our entire group of ten stayed on the bald to watch the sunset and then hiked down to the shelter together. The next morning, we packed up our belongings and headed toward the car. We hiked the remaining six or so miles fairly quickly, reaching the car with plenty of daylight. We wanted to go to Pearson's Waterfall but discovered that it was $5 a person and deemed it not worthy. Instead, we went to another apple orchard and indulged in apple pastries. Chelsea and I split an apple dumpling and an apple fritter and each ordered our own apple slushies, all of which were delicious. We then headed toward Columbia and indulged in another satisfying meal at Spice Junction. Since Mike was in the other car, they also went to Spice Junction, arriving about 20 minutes after us. Then, since it was National Coffee Day, we ventured over to Krispy Kreme for free 12 ounce coffees. Jeff somehow was given four, all of which he consumed during the ride back to Gainesville.

Events occurred: September 27-29, 2013