Most everyone who has made it three or four miles from the beginning of the Appalachian Trail on Springer Mountain in Georgia has visited the Mountain Crossing Store at Neels Gap. The store, called Walasi-Yi, actually straddles the AT on the Eastern side of Blood Mountain. The only building on the entire trail, it was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early '30s. Now the store is run by Winton Porter and his wife Nancy. They sell hiking supplies, offer mail drops, Trail advice and maps and operate a hostel for hikers who’d like to spend the night under a roof.

For those on wheels, the historic old fieldstone building is located on Georgia Highway 19, between Cleveland and Blairsville. It is not far from the top of Blood Mountain, which is the highest point of the AT in Georgia. Organization of the Trail began as early as the 1920s, and hiking it from beginning to end has been and still is a lifetime goal for many.

There is a mystique and culture that belongs to the trail and those who take it. Porter has written a book about some of the personalities that have visited the Blood Mountain portal, entitled Just Passin’ Thru – A Vintage Store, the Appalachian Trail and a Cast of Unforgettable Characters. (Menasha Ridge Press, $14.95) It’s a great book, whether you want to hike the trail or not. It’s available at bookstores or at the picturesque little store.

Porter himself will be talking about the book, the trail and its people on October 15 at the Georgia Literary Festival in Sautee Nacoochee. There will be plenty of culture at this festival, which will be at the Sautee Nacoochee Community Center and honors award-winning poet Mildred Greer, folk culture specialist John Burrison and one of North Georgia’s famous early Civil Rights activists – Lillian Smith (1897-1966.) Barbara Brown Taylor, prize-winning author of Leaving Church and An Altar in the World is the keynote speaker.

Other speakers include poet Doris Davenport, authors Brian Jay Corrigan (who has helped many writers understand the publishing world,) and Steve Harvey, writer and folk-artist Linda Anderson and there will be a special presentation about Foxfire, which will have a new book available.

This is Georgia’s 13^th annual Literary Festival. It runs from 10 until 4 Saturday, Oct. 15 and there is no cost for admission or parking. Food will be available, literary vendors will be present and the authors will speak and sign their books.