IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG - JUST SAYING HELLO!

I’d like to take a moment to say hello to our followers.  I know that posts have not been put up on a regular basis, but I’m hoping to change that in the next few weeks.  We all know how it is.  Life gets busy and, before you know it, months have passed by in a blur!  At least, that’s how it feels to me.  I thought a good way to get back into the swing of things would be to post a little bit about myself, and I’m hoping to include profiles from my (hiking) partners in crime.  

 Lori Domingo aka Headlight

Somewhere in the Smoky Mountains!

     Hi.  My name is Lori - my trail name is Headlight - and I’m an (almost senior citizen) Appalachian Trail section hiker.  My obsession with the AT began back in November, 2011, while on a trip with my youngest son to visit the senior military college he would be attending the following August up in Dahlonega, Georgia.  While he was busy doing his thing with his ROTC peers, I had time on my hands and ended up visiting Amicalola State Park.  I honestly had no idea when I was paying the park entrance fee that I’d soon be standing in front of that famous arch that marked the beginning of the Approach Trail.  Taking one step through that arch was all it took!  I knew in my heart that I HAD to hike the AT – even though, at that time, I’d never hiked or camped anywhere (except for during basic training).  I had no gear.  I had no experience.  And, I’d soon come to find out that I had no idea! 
     Fast forward to today, and I can say that I’ve got a mere 223 miles under my backpack hip-belt.  While I wish I could get out on the trail more often, it simply doesn’t always work out the way I plan.  Accepting that fact is something that my time on the AT has taught me.  To date, I’ve completed all of the Georgia section (including the Approach Trail), and then from the GA/NC state line up to Clingman’s Dome in the Smoky Mountains.  To many, that might not sound like much.  But I can genuinely say that I’ve learned something each time we’ve set out. 
      It is our sincere hope here at Trail Snails that what we have to offer will help someone make the decision to get off the couch and hit the trail.  We’re not experts.  We don’t claim to be.  We do, however, have the knowledge we’ve gained from each one of our section hikes.  And if we don’t know the answer, we will certainly try to find someone who does.  This is a place for beginners.  This is a place for experienced hikers to share with beginners.  Please stay tuned as we try to get things in order!

Happy Hiking!

Scott Keith - aka Weatherman

      My name is Scott Keith and I was drawn to the world of back-country hiking by my love for the mountains and the sense of accomplishment that completing a challenging hike brings to my life.  I’ve been hiking on and off for roughly seven years.  My first exposure to backpacking came on a section of the Florida Trail.  We utilized these hikes near our home to prepare for our bigger, longer adventures on the Appalachian Trail.  I’ve completed three sections of the AT covering ground in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.  I learned a lot about backpacking equipment and skills from my sister, Lori Domingo.  Her passion for hiking and the challenge of the hills is unparalleled.  I consider myself the “technical support” of the team, with Lori being the route planner, and my other sister, Debbie, being the food and logistics planner.  I handle the route mapping and analysis and carry a GPS to keep us on track.  I’m an Air Force-trained weather forecaster, so I also provide weather support for our team.  Everyone has a role of sorts, and it’s always a blast.  In the real world, I’m a maintenance supervisor for a large city’s traffic signal department. I look forward to every hike and can’t wait for the next adventure.  Happy hiking!

 Debbie Keith aka: No Trail Name Yet!