Hiking the AT in GA

In less than two weeks, my brother and I will hit the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. Unfortunately, we don't have the time to do a thru-hike so we'll be doing the 80ish miles from the southern terminus into North Carolina. And hopefully do more later. I am looking forward to being dirty, getting blisters, eating crappy food, and getting away from the real world. Neither of us have done any serious backpacking so we don't really have any idea what we are getting into. I hope to meet some bears and mosquitos along the way. And my anti-social brother should be able to keep the conversation going for hours. I don't really understand the appeal of camping but I can't help but want to experience the wilderness. Survive the elements. I am having serious adventure withdrawal.