Wow. Sounds wonderful. 9 days solo on the Appalachian Trail! Did you see many other hikers? I haven't been there since 1990. We had a "scare" on our longest hike on that trip, in which we were sure we about to be eaten by a bear. Turns out it was some loud kind of squirrel. Boomer squirrel, or something like that!
post pix if you have them! I'll bet it was gorgeous. I love that part of the country. Lise