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- Camp Toccoa Memorial
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- Starting Point of Sink Trail
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- Col. Robert Sink Memorial Trail
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- Currahee Mountain
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- Chamber of Commerce/County and Toccoa Military Museums
Six miles - that’s what the men training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia had to be able to do. Doesn’t sound like too big of a challenge for young, healthy, well-trained men, right? It’s a definite challenge if they have to do those six miles on a mountain – three miles up and three miles down.
The 501st, 506th, 511th and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments all trained at Camp Toccoa, prior to being deployed in WWII. They all got to know Currahee Mountain, well. And if they couldn’t finish all six miles, they were sent to W Company or “washed out” of the Paratroopers.
Made famous in Stephen Ambrose’s book “Band of Brothers” and later in the HBO series, Currahee became an intregal part in the history of Camp Toccoa. A Cherokee term meaning “stands alone”, Currahee became a creed for the men who ran it, day in and day out.
I was excited for this morning’s run. I would be running on hallowed ground. In my little way, giving honor to those who ran it before me – those who would later be casualties, in one way or another, in WWII.
After receiving directions of where to find the Col. Robert Sink Memorial Trail, I drove the (about) six miles to where I would find a marker and Memorial, which are placed at the actual entrance to Camp Toccoa.
These days, the camp has been covered up by two industries (one of which has closed down) and a forest of pines. The only visable remnants left are a long white building (that may or may not be a mess structure) and fire hydrants that mark where camp streets were.
About two hundred yards down from that, a plaque marking the Sink Trail is placed where the trail begins.
The trail itself is actually a road – Georgia red dirt mixed with rock but kept up. The road was a little washed out today because of the huge amount of rain they got in the last couple of days, but runnable.
Like yesterday in Mount Airy, this morning brought rain. It was a little annoying, at first, but how could I really complain!
Taking my first few strides, I hit the start button on my watch and headed forward, up the first incline of the trail.
The first mile went by without a problem as well as the second. I was starting to think that this isn’t much of a mountain trail! Then you hit that third mile.
At 2.25 - my legs and lungs started to burn. At 2.50 - I said, “Good Lord.” At 2.75 – I thought about stopping to walk but imagined Captain Sobel yelling in my ear. So, I let out a hearty, “Hi-Yo Silver!”, and I finished – so I thought.
I came to a ledge of rock and boulders (all covered with graffiti) and figured that this must be the top, but I couldn’t find a marker. The road went off to the right so I continued on.
Winding again to the left, I came to a small building and a set of stairs. I went up the stairs and saw a small trail going around fencing. It just didn’t seem like it was a part of the trail so I went back down. After talking with the Toccoa Chamber of Commerce, it was a part of the trail and I should have gone a few more yards. Sobel would have been SO angry with me.
I ran it in 43 minutes but felt like a wash out. They sell “I Ran Currahee” t-shirts at the visitor’s center but felt guilty about buying one. I’ll be back to truly earn that shirt.
They now have a Currahee Mountain race, which has been growing in popularity. Last year saw 300 runners/walkers and they are expecting about 500 for this year. It runs in conjunction with the Currahee Military Weekend. If interested, check it out at http://www.toccoahistory.com/index.htm .
I’m headed further south and tomorrow will be in Charleston, SC. Am really excited ’cause I’ve heard some great things!
Make sure to check out today’s highlighted charity!!
Peace.
Chris
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Charity Of The Day:
I don’t have to say how important it is to help those (and their families) who have paid the ultimate price for our country, in military service.
Please check out the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and see what good work they are doing for many of our nation’s heroes.
Road Song Of The Day: ”My Hero” by Foo Fighters
