I've been in Georgia now for a few days and things have already been incredible. I got to the airport early on Friday with my stomach in knots. Once I got on the plane, my nerves started to calm down and the trail became a reality. I touched down in atlanta with an immediate text from my PCT buddy Neon, telling me where to meet him. An hour later, once I had navigated my way through the massive Atlanta airport and gotten the rest of my gear, I was back with hiker trash. Neon brought his friend Matt who will be joining us for six weeks and they had ran into another through hiker named Dakota. Dakota had started four days earlier with a friend and had planned to hike the whole way. His friend bailed on the first day while still on the approach trail and Dakota had gotten sick and stayed in a trail hostel for a few days. We intercepted him at the perfect time. He had booked a flight home and was giving up on his hike. We convinced him to head back out to the trail with us and stick with it. Sometimes all you need is a positive person to calm your fears. Our shuttle driver arrived where we met our first AT characters, Ron and the frightening Dr. Nightmare (a GPS with a demonic voice, and a mind of his own). Ron has been shuttling hikers since 2006 and had some great stories to share with us as well as invaluable info about the trail in Georgia. We had an absolute blast on the 80 mile drive to Amicalola State Park. We got there in the dark and set up our shelters in tent city, where we spent the rest of the 24 degree night sitting around the fire with other previous and future hikers. The next day we woke up and headed into kick off where we met a plethora of amazing people. IncludingEveryone was so friendly and was willing to help in any way possible. We even got a ride to a local greasy spoon that had the best burgers! We spent another night huddled around the fire and woke up to beautiful weather. We are headed up to Springer mountain to start the trail right now!!!